Wheatsheaf at Brigsteer, The

The Wheatsheaf at Brigsteer is an old whitewashed pub, with a look that makes you reminisce about the days when local riders to hounds would celebrate a successful day with copious quantities of food and drink. This free house in picturesque Brigsteer, three miles from bustling Kendal, was a focal point for the local hunt for many years after it opened its doors in 1762 and has been an integral part of the tiny Lakeland hamlet ever since.

Their staff always extend a warm welcome and then follow that by delivering friendly and attentive service. What started as three cottages and a shoeing room for horses is now known for the quality of its classic British dishes, all created with an appealing contemporary twist, embracing the finest locally sourced produce, meat and game. Their reasonably priced, genuinely flavoursome and fresh food should never fail to delight customers.

Recently renovated, as a result it exudes a more contemporary and cosy restaurant feel, with polished oak floors and classy handcrafted bistro-style tables and chairs. If guests wish to stay over, the Wheatsheaf has three comfortable, AA four-star gold rated ensuite bedrooms.

The proudly Cumbrian menu, which has helped them to achieve recognition in the Michelin Guide, 'Michelin Dining Out In Pubs Guide' and also gained them an AA Rosette, features dishes such as shredded confit duck leg, orange and tarragon summer leaf salad, potted Morecambe Bay shrimp and Millom crab with lemon and caper jelly and home sweet cured salmon with cucumber pickle.

The concentration is on the sheer quality of the food and its preparation, as evidenced by steamed suet pudding of local rabbit and wood pigeon; whole roast poussin with fondant potato, creamed peas, baby onions, lettuce and smoked bacon lardoons; carved loin of Holker venison, confit potatoes, buttered spinach, roast beetroot and chocolate masala jus.

Amongst other choices, their pan-fried sea bass fillets with wild garlic and woodland mushroom risotto on the side are tremendously popular. Traditional pub favourites with a modern slant include Cumberland and black pudding 'Scotch egg' with homemade piccalilli, smoked haddock fishcake with saffron aioli, and pan-fried local calf's liver with bubble and squeak, red wine gravy and crispy Cumbrian pancetta, prove why The Wheatsheaf in sleepy Brigsteer has become renowned for expertly prepared food with a reputation that only gets better with time.

Desserts include rhubarb and custard crème brûlée with home-baked ginger biscuits, chocolate and walnut brownie with white chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, and blood orange jelly with minted strawberries. The pub has two real ale hand pumps and offers frequently changing local ales, a range of other beers and lager and a sensible wine list that matches the cuisine.

The lunch and early evening menu are excellently priced at around £12 for two courses. While their Sunday brunch, between 9 and 11.30, is open to residents and non-residents. For menu changes and other information do check their Website.