By Tim Beard

Potentially, it was the luncheon date from hell – sitting upstairs, overlooking the golf course at The Pavilion, a picturesque, thatched building which forms the clubhouse and restaurant at the up-market Stapleford Park Country House Hotel, near Melton Mowbray.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking – I’ve got a funny idea of hell.

But as one of those terminally afflicted souls who traipse around golf courses in sun, wind and drizzle, a quiet meal with my wife overlooking the 18th green and practice ground would normally be guaranteed to get my palms itching, then create an uneasy silence and a faraway look in my eyes as I stare out of the window.

In turn, this would provoke sighs, frustration and expressions like ‘I dunno why I bothered coming’ from my long-suffering wife.

But despite the occasional sunny spells as the clouds sped across the windy sky and the occasional golfer negotiating the testing 18th, my attention was firmly drawn to the spotless, beamed interior, its modern but entirely fitting furniture and the hope of a good lunch.

After arriving and being shown to some comfortable armchairs and our drinks order taken, we settled down to study the menu, which was a tempting combination of sandwiches, starters, snacks, and main courses plus a little trio of desserts.

Basically, I knew we were on to a good thing when two of the three desserts were Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream and Creme Brulee with chocolate ice cream – both £5.50 and favourites of my wife, Diane.

Straight away I knew I had to order one or the other so she could get a taste of both! The third choice was a home-made sorbet.

I was more up for the savoury side of things and began with Smoked Salmon in a Lemon and Black Pepper Oil (£6.95) while Diane chose Roast Peppers and Parma Ham in a balsamic dressing (£6.95). Both were delicious.

For main course I chose a Linguini in Mushroom and Parmesan sauce (£12.95) served with a mixed salad and it was absolutely beautiful, with the taste of the sauce and pieces of mushroom just strong enough to complement rather than overwhelm the pasta.

Diane, meanwhile, chose Nasi Goreng (£12.95), an Indonesian dome-shaped pile of fried rice with chicken and prawns which was served with chicken skewers and prawn crackers plus a fried egg perched on the top.

As usual, we tried forks full of each other’s meal and couldn’t really decide who had picked the best – both were very tasty and very filling.

The menu, which evolves every few weeks, mentions a 10 per cent discretionary service charge being added to the bill, and the whole thing came to a few pence shy of £62 including drinks.

Having had a very leisurely and tasty lunch served by a quietly efficient and thoroughly pleasant and helpful waiter at a pace which made the whole thing thoroughly relaxing, I couldn’t really fault it.

I don’t think I have awarded five out of five before but this time I feel compelled to do so.I feel compelled to award five out of five – a first for me, I think.

Oh, and did I mention you could see a golf course through the window?

Info

The Pavilion at Stapleford Park Country House Hotel,

Stapleford, Melton Mowbray, 01572 787000

Rating: 5/5