"We were greeted warmly and given the choice of our own table. Drinks, including an elder cocktail with cucumber and mint, were served promptly. The cocktail selection seemed limited on Tuesdays. The starters, soup of the day and fried sweet tart with spicy tomato jam, were decent but not exceptional. The main course of lamb backstrap was cooked to my liking, served with tasty but scant butternut squash cream, rosemary and garlic terrine, and tender stem broccoli. However, the portion size could have been more generous. The wild boar pudding lacked depth of flavor and needed accompaniments like smoked bacon or truffle. Desserts, sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and ice cream, and classic strawberry tart with whipped cream, were disappointing with overly firm pastries.
Despite the shortcomings in the meal, the strong cappuccinos at the end were a satisfying conclusion. Overall, the Black Horse has room for improvement and hopefully our experience will be better on our next visit."
