Lunch at The Craven Arms, Giggleswick, Settle

The Craven Arms, Giggleswick (formerly The Old Station) on the outskirts of Settle opened just before Christmas and I would guess has been under a cover of snow ever since!  Adrian Proctor, local Organic farmer from nearby Rathmell has refurbished the property and teamed up with his partner Ann and Sister Deb to create a real local foodie pub cum restaurant.

Chef and local boy Richard Wright under the guidance of Stephanie Moon has created a fantastic seasonal menu of local produce including Adrian’s own Pork & Beef from his Organic farm in nearby Rathmell, Adrian farms Saddleback Duroc cross pigs and Shorthorn & Red Poll cattle, images of which you can see adorning the interior walls of the Craven Arms.

The menu gives the option to sample a lot of the dishes in smaller portions which is great at Lunchtimes or when you want to try a selection of the great dishes.  Our party of 3 tried a combination of starters and the “smaller appetite” dishes including melt in the mouth Pork belly with chestnut & apple, tasty Haddock fishcake with wilted spinach and fantastic homemade tartar sauce, Mushroom & spinach pancake with a Yorkshire Blue cream sauce (you can ask for the sauce without the Yorkshire Blue if you prefer), a very rich Game hotpot with sage (similar to the dish Richard & Stephanie demonstrated at Take 3 Chefs), real Pork Sausages with bubble & squeak and an excellent crusty Steak pudding & mash, to finish just 1 dessert was tried (it was lunchtime!) the Festive crème brulée poached pear and shortbread which was delicious.  All dishes are homemade, prepared to order  and very tasty.  Total bill for 3 including drinks was £50.

Craven Arms Copper Dragon Pippin

Craven Arms Belly Pork

Craven Arms Dining Room

Craven Arms Haddock Fishcake

Craven Arms Giggleswick

Craven Arms Game Hotpot

Craven Arms Sausage, Bubble & Squeak

Craven Arms Steak Pudding

Craven Arms Mushroom & Spinach Pancake

Craven Arms Creme Brulee

Other dishes on the menu but not tried included Fish pie, 8oz Sirloin or Rump steak, Organic roast turkey, Pumpkin & sage cheesecake, Local rabbit, black pudding and walnut salad with honey dressing, homemade burgers, Sticky toffee pudding, toffee sauce and ice cream and a selection of lighter lunchtime offerings such as home cured salt beef & piccalilli sandwich or potted shrimp sandwich on toasted rye.  As the menu is seasonal some choices will be changing during January 2010.

The Beer – we tried the Copper Dragon Golden Pippin a 3.9% abv blonde ale which was in good order and served in Copper Dragon Glasses, Black Sheep & Tetley’s were also on offer.

The Craven Arms is a great addition to the Yorkshire Dales food scene and well worth a visit.

The Craven Arms, Brackenber Lane, Giggleswick, Settle, BD24 0EA Tel 01729 825627

Website www.craven-arms-giggleswick.co.uk