Anchor Inn
West Street, Shapwick, Dorset DT11 9LB. Tel: 01258 857 269
This place is a bit off the beaten track. Shapwick is a bit off the beaten track. The people who live there are a bit off the beaten track... I can say that as my friends live there and I have met some of their friends. They are a weird bunch.
The place has turned into what you probably term a gastropub in the sense that it doesn't do scampi and chips, lasagne et al. I have listed what I had along with prices as it was easy enough by copying and pasting from their website.
Seared pigeon breast, duck & venison rillette, watercress, truffle oil £7.50
Confit duck leg, creamed purple potato, wilted pak choi, plum sauce £16.50
Selection of Barford farm ice creams & sorbets £4.25
It was Charles' birthday, 50th some say but I think that was just a malicious rumour. We had a cosy little private dining area. Not sure how private the other eaters in the pub thought it was as all the noise probably swamped their conversations.
It was very good of the pub to bring out a few glasses of different red for us to try until we found a one we liked. I think that was due to them knowing most of the people there and not sure if that would extend to us 'normal' townies.
I liked the Pinot Noir, probably the only one to prefer it and had most of it to myself. It was nicer chilled in the ice bucket with the white for a short while. The Tinpot Hut sauvignon blanc was pretty good as well, a decent top end New Zealand one.
The pidgeon breast had a very robust flavour, dark, rich and with nice crispy edges. The rillete, now I know is much like a mix of meat like an open sausage, went to bulk up the whole starter. All very meaty indeed.
I enjoyed the duck leg. Very tender. Would have preferred less purple potato, to be replaced by another leg!
It was a great evening.
The food here is no different to a very good restaurant. The setting is just more relaxed and that can't be a bad thing.
Anchor Inn, Shapwick website
