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.