The Full Moon at Morton

The Full Moon, Main Street, Morton, Southwell, NG25 0UT, 0845 2018731 www.thefullmoonmorton.co.uk

“We are spoilt for pubs around here,” commented R. We were driving around the villages near Southwell, on a weekday afternoon, splendidly sunny, windows down, and (I bashfully recall) some Latin jazz spilling from the speakers of the Beer Wagon. It was one of those meandering, off-the-cuff, play-it-by-ear, no-fixed plan kind of days when we launch out for lunch without a particular destination, just to see where we might end up. As R pointed out, and quite right she was too, we are spoilt for choice. From Gunthorpe by the river up to Lowdham and on towards Southwell, taking in a wealth of picturesque villages like Thurgaton, Bleasby, Caythorpe and Hoveringham, you cannot go wrong if you are looking for some local colour, a decent pint and a meal in lovely surroundings.
We pulled into the ample car park of The Full Moon at Morton, arrestingly positioned on the village Main Street opposite an old red phone box. It looked pretty as a picture. Plenty of outdoor seating at the front facing the sleepy street; with more benches behind in a tidy beer garden (and note the impressive children’s area complete with wooden fort, ducks waddling around freely and rabbits contentedly snoozing in hutches). In the car park we also discovered a catering van being prepped. ‘The Nippie Chippie’, as it is know, is run by The Full Moon and drives around the locality serving beer-battered freshly cooked fish and hand cut chips. This reminds me that our own local chip van, once operating in the Bingham area, has not been glimpsed since before winter. Perhaps it was swallowed up by the chill mist one December night never to emerge again... Anyone out there seen it? The Full Moon also hires their van for private parties and functions, a great idea that has me planning something in the near future.
Inside you will find a spacious, light, clean and tasteful bar area with extra dinning space off to the right and a more relaxed area to the left with leather chairs and sofas. It is a nice mix of traditional features (exposed beams and old fireplaces) with bright and airy contemporary paint work. The walls feature work by a local artist that is available for purchase. This is a very attractive space in which to relax with the free newspapers and magazines on offer. The bar itself has some good variety with a solid selection of lagers, ciders and Cask Marque approved beers – personally it is good to find the ubiquitous Blue Monkey (springing up everywhere in the area; pale, golden hoppy ale, very quaffable) to Kent’s Masterbrew (which, having lived in Canterbury for many years, seems like a taste of home). There is solid wine selection with monthly specials (April sees one of my favourites, the delicious Wolf Blass Yellow Label cabernet sauvignon) and it is pleasing to discover another pub serving our local Belvoir Vale cordials.
The lunch menu was spot on. Nothing challenging here just good, inviting crowd-pleasers done without fuss or fancy (The Full Moon makes this very clear when boasting a slogan like “big flavours, no frills” on its menus). Produce is sourced from local suppliers like Gonalston, Porters and Atherleys and the menu can change daily depending on ingredients (have a look at the very professional website for up to the minute additions – there is even a blog!). Try the pan-fried duck breast with blackcurrant and cinnamon, served with lyonnaise potatoes and steamed vegetables or the roast smoked salmon linguini with spinach, pesto and parmesan if you are peckish; perhaps mozzarella, tomato and basil salad with pesto croutons and olives or an omelette of your choice if you are less a gannet than I.
And time for a cheeky pint on the way back? Always... as pointed out to The Gastrosexualist, we are spoilt for choice.

The Martin's Arms

The Martin’s Arms School Lane, Colston Bassett, NG12 3FD.
Tel. 0845 2025144 www.themartinsarms.co.uk

It may already seem an illusion and prove a fleeting benediction, but the other Saturday Nottingham awoke to the blue sky of a perfect spring morning. Here in the village the horse paddock across from the cottage suddenly looked verdant, grass bursting with healthy colour, an almost electric green. Windows, closed for too long, were forced open to let in a warm (yes warm) breeze. The cottage seemed to tremble and sigh, the miasma of a bottled up winter bleeding away as fresh air began to circulate, as old brick and stone drank in sunlight thirstily. Villagers passing by stopped to chat. All those months spent trudging through foul weather to the local shop for a morning paper, a bottle of milk, a loaf of bread, enduring a season of sniffles, of snow and sleety rain, muffled by hoods and scarves... could it really be over? The general topic was still the weather but how positive it was that day. Even the noisy lady with the dogs seemed less irksome as she made her way up Main Street, her fingernails-on-blackboard screech broadcasting what was plain to see: Spring had arrived.

With that realisation came a certain responsibility. A Saturday off and one blessed by glorious sunshine must not be wasted. How many BBQs were being dragged out of the shadows and cobwebs, unearthed from sheds, produced with a magician’s flourish from plastic covers? How many of you, confronted with the promise of summer to come, were hastily putting together picnics, gathering the troops for an all-day expedition to Nottingham’s canal side bars or heading down to the river at Gunthorpe; group-texting, Twittering, Facebooking, putting out the shout? Well, the first and foremost thing on my mind when offered such a treat is put very simply: beer garden.

What is more quintessentially British on a warm afternoon than idling with the newspaper in a pub beer garden? A few cheeky pints, a bottle of chardonnay lifted glistening from an ice bucket, an early season jug of Pimms packed with slices of fresh fruit; it is the smell of mown grass, the light breeze that rustles the review section of a broadsheet, the tantalizing aroma of lunches brought out from a bustling kitchen and delivered to where you relax, sun-drowsy and content. The only question is venue. Living in The Vale of Belvoir there is plenty of choice, an abundance of tidy village locals on the doorstep. However, one of the best – in terms of quality of food, drink, ambience and timeless picturesque charm – is The Martin’s Arms at Colston Bassett.

An historic and unspoilt village surrounded by estate parkland (and, importantly, the home of world renowned Colston Bassett stilton) forms the perfect setting for this award-winning Inn and dining rooms. Built originally in the 1800s as a farmhouse, this Grade 2 listed building is the perfect example of a British country hostelry, ivy clad and inviting. Not to forget that The Martin’s Arms is equally rewarding to visit when the weather turns. In winter you will discover snug period rooms bursting with cosy charm, open fires crackling in the grates, the soft glow of candles and subtle romantic lighting, wooden beams and plenty of traditional features. The bar area is full of character (note the lack of an electronic till). There is plenty of choice of wines, whiskies and brandies for the discerning drinker, and the real ale connoisseur is suitably catered for: Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Marston’s Pedigree, Green King IPA and Bass, Elgood Black Dog, Jennings’ Cumberland and, recently added, the superb Castle Rock’s Harvest Pale. The weekly changing, seasonal menu for the restaurant is not cheap – but it is superb. How about warm wood pigeon and black pudding salad, quail egg and spiced mulled wine dressing for a Starter, followed by slow poached loin of lamb, black olives and basil, rosemary fondant, sautéed spinach and red current jus, with warm chocolate and beetroot sponge, vanilla mascarpone and chocolate sauce to find space for as pudding?

The Martin’s Arms has a well-earned reputation for exclusivity and peaceful refinement. No loud crowds, no lager-swilling bleary lads, no gaggles of ladette Lolitas comparing ringtones, no bass-heavy music thumping from speakers, no nonsense. And the only DJs you will find here are the ones worn on New Year’s Eve. On a glorious afternoon with a pristine beer garden to enjoy you had better arrive early to claim a table for very soon it will fill up. I recommend the Ploughman’s lunch from the bar menu with its Melton Mowbray pork pie, Colston Bassett stilton, home-cured ham, homemade pickles and breads. The Gastrosexualist will already be there. He will raise a glass of Harvest Pale.

Alice’s Tea Cup, Millgate, Newark.

Alice’s Tea Cup in Newark is well worth a break from the bustling Market Square and shops. You will find it situated in a lovingly restored cottage a short stroll down Millgate, just opposite the Museum. Easy to spot with its invitingly cheery facade, windows decorated with strings of flower lights, flags and pennants.
A peek through the window reveals a vision of childhood straight from the pages of Arthur Ransome and Enid Blyton. Step in and discover a low ceiling, exposed wooden beams, cosy rugs, rustic matting, an inviting leather sofa and plump cushions, with tables, chairs and walls painted a cheery white. Eccentric curiosities and treasures are displayed in every nook and cranny: a retro microphone stand, an archaic typewriter, a top hat, tea pots and cups of all shapes and sizes, children’s toys and, of course, art prints and cards depicting scenes from Carroll’s Wonderland. Alice’s Tea Cup manages to be both charming and nostalgic without falling into the trap of being desperately twee. It promotes an idealistic sense of a lost England that, perhaps, never existed outside the pages of such classics.
The menu offers plenty of choice for the tea connoisseur, with some rare examples like Jasmine ‘Monkey King’ and Earl Grey Lavender amongst a superior selection. The coffee lover is well-catered for with a delicious, freshly ground brew you can have strong or medium, or the distinctive Costa Rican ‘La Minita’ recognised by aficionados for its quality. Of course there are always tempting, freshly baked homemade cakes from a menu that changes regularly – favourites include scones with strawberry jam and whipped cream, toasted teacakes, crumpets, chocolate & lime fairy cakes, coffee & walnut cake, and various tasty muffins. A delicious hot chocolate with marshmallows is also on hand for colder days, along with fruit cordials (including a superb mulberry variety) and bottles of vintage-style lemonade and ginger beer to quench your thirst.
Warm and attentive service, an unhurried, relaxed atmosphere and cosy rooms full of character (with a garden for summer dining) make this the perfect spot for a family treat or an indulgent lunch with friends. Alice’s Tea Cup is a haven for the tired shopper and a heaven for the lover of homemade cakes and speciality teas.