The Crown Inn, Spruxton

Coston Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4QB

Up from Belvoir Castle and following winding lanes through shafts of verigated light, with dense woods to the sides and sudden glimpses of fields of sheep, pointing the Beer Waggon in the direction of the distinctly Narnia-esque sounding Croxton Kerrial, heading deep into the Vale on a tip off from one of the regulars at our firendly local The Marquis at Granby. The shaggy Neil - a Big Lebowski type who wears baggy shorts and sandals in all seasons - mentioned we might like the Crown Inn at Sproxton (pronounced "Sproseton" - go figure). Easy enough journey. Only a few miles from the Castle itself and familiar ground. So how had we missed the Crown?

GastroChap is finding it directly and logically proportional that the more of the local area he explores, the more hidden gems are uncovered. Frustrating to a degree, as he wishes he'd know about The Crown much earlier as it is lovely. Just his cup of tea - or pint of well-kept casque ale.

Sproxton is fine little village. If you are familiar with the buildings of Stamford you will recognise the buttery yellow stone used to construct the cottages. The Crown Inn itself is easy enough to find on Coston Road. An imposing and romantic facade, all glossy ivy on stone, a carpark at the back revealing a terraced drinking area with fountain, a Spanish style outdoor space complete with faux Moroccan tiles and heaters. Very nice for some sunshine boozing. Inside and you face that perpetual drinker's choice: to the left, a door marked 'Bar'; to the right 'Lounge'. Head to the bar and you signal that you mean business and are set for a session, take a step to the right and the lounge and that might indicate a tentative tourist. The bar at The Crown is tiny, little more than a snug (resembling someone's cottage reading room, full of papers and magazines, books, a couple of tables and a sofa. The Lounge is bigger and very pleasing, with a well-judged take on shabby chic: a juxtaposition of big restful sofas and chrome stools at the bar itself, with low lighting from lamps dotted here and there, solidly unpretentious old tables scattered about, and a mix of ecclectic ornaments. It is a very relaxing space in which to enjoy a decent pint of Old Speckled Hen or Greene King IPA (Pimms at £3.50 a glass, Champagne cocktails at £5.50).  A more formal dining room can be found towards the rear - very well appointed with some stylish touches and space for up to 30.

          

The menu is straightforward and tempting. Sarters include an antipasto of smoked, cured seafood and continental meats; chicken liver and brandy terrine; halloumi and quail egg caesar salad. Mains include griddled pork T-bone with calvados apples topped with stilton; baked monkfish with tomato and basil and a rose marie pesto; stuffed escalopes of pork fillet wrapped with prosciutto and served with wild mushroom and marsala sauce. As we were only popping in for a quick lunch we settled for (me) a substantial baquette filled with a tasty bacon, brie and juicy tomatoes and (The Flower) an unfussy a tangy cheddar cheese and red onion sandwich. Each came with a large fresh salad and a serving of homemade pickle, to which we added a bowl of thick cut handmade chips. All most pleasing.