< PreviousORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine Group&Call now to subscribe on01472 310301 8or order online www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341Total Price: £27.55Subscribetoday4 great reasons tosubscribe...3Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…3First 3 issues only £1!3FREE delivery to your door3Receive your copy before it hits the shopsorScan QR Code£2.95 FEBRUARY 2018THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE30+ years young30+ years youngWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLM£2.95 FEBRUARY 2018THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINELoveLincolnshireLoveLincolnshireAmazingartCountymotoringLincolnshirewildlifeFashionyou’ll loveAmazingartCountymotoringLincolnshirewildlifeFashionyou’ll love£2.95 MARCH 2018THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE30+ years young30+ years youngWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLM£2.95 MARCH 2018THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEWelcomingSpringWelcomingSpringNewseasonfashionFarm &CountryLinkThe best ofLincolnshireNewseasonfashionFarm &CountryLinkThe best ofLincolnshire h f h y y kFirst 3issuesfor£1Lookingfor a greatgift idea?A gift Subscription is the perfect presentthat lasts all year round!50.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 08:30 Page 1THE PREMIER GUIDE TODINING IN LINCOLNSHIRETheGourmetand GoodFoodGuideBLMGROUPBLMGROUPPublished bywww.blmgroup.co.uk51.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 08:30 Page 1 j T: 01775 821200 REDLIONBICKER.CO.UKBICKER BAR, BICKER, BOSTON, PE20 3EFAward winningRESTAURANTțȜȝHOTELTEL: 01205 822804SUPREMEINNS.CO.UKBICKER BAR, BICKER,BOSTON, PE20 3AN52.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 08:31 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY53DELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIREFor many, a visit to a restaurant is aboutmore than just taste or texture, though thatplays a part. With people becoming savvierin the kitchen and quick and ready mealsmore varied in terms of country of originand flavour, everyone can be a little bit of amaster chef when required. So, is this theend of the Lincolnshire restaurant?Of course not.A meal out isn’t just an excuse for goodfood anymore, but also for the atmosphereand the experience – taking a break fromthe kitchen, work or whatever else gets inthe way of life, and letting someone elsehandle it for a moment. Whether it’s alone,with family or with friends, dining out is anexperience that is ingrained into ourculture, and nowhere in England is thatmore evident than the county ofLincolnshire.Known as the breadbasket of the country,our history for food goes back over athousand years. Our farmland produces avast array of fresh fruit and veg, and ourfarms stock restaurants in the county andfurther afield. In fact, it’s hard to find asmall town which doesn’t have a farmer’smarket of some kind that dates backseveral hundred years. Many of thosecontinue today and give residents achance to purchase food fresher than whatthey might find in the supermarket.Over the coming pages we’ll besplitting the county into four quarters andinvestigating what makes each area sospecial, while also visiting a fewrestaurants, pubs and gastronomic venuesalong the way. Will we reinvent the wheeland discover new heights of dining?Perhaps. Will we put on weight andrequire a few more trips to the gym?Probably.Will we end our journey satisfied?Undoubtedly.© shutterstock/Patrick FotoEverythingdelicious aboutLincolnshireWelcome to LincolnshireToday’s guide toculinary delights, wherewe split the county intoquarters and explorewhat’s on offer, not onlyin terms of food andheritage, but alsorestaurants, eateries andfavourite pubs. It’s allfood here, with addedemphasis on whatmakes Lincolnshire sucha culinary centre ofexcellence.53.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:02 Page 154 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYDELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - NORTHThe north and north-east of Lincolnshiremight well be known more for itsindustrial and manufacturing heritagethan good food, but such a distinctioncan be misleading. The north has morethan its fair share of farmland and hotels,while the north-east’s history of fishing isknown throughout the country. For manycoming into Lincolnshire via the HumberBridge, it is this part of the county whichis experienced first. Barton, in particular, is very muchdefined by its closeness to the Humberand welcomes thousands of visitors eachyear to spot wildlife, walk along its trailsand enjoy the food on offer. Close toBrigg, both towns enjoy their foodyheritage, with the Brigg Farmers markettaking place once a month and drawingvisitors from far and wide. Further west, Scunthorpe proves hostto some wonderfully attractive venueshosted in delightful countryside, oftennestled just out of the town itself. Much ofthis dates back a century or so whenScunthorpe was a powerful and upcomingindustrial town expected to be a majorplayer in the future, and while not all ofthis may have come to pass, it still retainsthe charm of many of these venues, whichhave now become famous for their finefood and cuisine. It’s impossible to visit the North-East ofLincolnshire and not discover the fishingheritage present there, proudly displayedthe moment one drives into Grimsby andsees a sign from Young’s Seafood. Longknown as Europe’s food town, the maritimehistory of Grimsby and Cleethorpes hasled to wealth not only in the form offishing for the former, but tourism andseasonal attractions for the latter. There’s more to the area than fish andchips however, with Cleethorpesembracing its closeness to Europe tooffer a much more varied diningexperience. Walking through the resort,especially in the summer, one can nowsee a wide range of European-style caféand diners, along with stylish bars andrestaurants. While good seafood is neverhard to find, there is plenty more onoffer. There’s a wealth of restaurants in thenorth of Lincolnshire, and the wide openspace of the countryside makes it easy tofind one tucked away in some idyllicretreat, often with views that rival thoseseen on brochures from far-flungcountries and holiday resorts. It is thevariety of what’s on offer that reallymakes the north of Lincolnshire a foodpowerhouse, however. DiscoverTHE NORTHWhile splitting the county into four quarters isn’t easy,the North of Lincolnshire is well known – with both theNorth and North-East combined, industrial areas withtheir own culinary heritage.© Shutterstock / James Batterham54.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:03 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY55DELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - NORTHStarters are so often billed as a maincourse, except only smaller. But here at TheComfy Duck restaurant, the starters menuwas loaded with little delights to enchantthe senses. I decided on the pork and sageScotch egg, served with a homemade fruitchutney and granary soldiers. Wonderfullypresented, the dish was a delight as muchfor the eyes as for the palate. It was thegarlic king prawns that caught my partner’seye. Both in taste and presentation, thedish had a Mediterranean feel and, likeSpain or Italy, it looked simple but theflavours were bold and exciting. Each main course read like a culinarysymphony, so trust me when I say thatpicking one over another was no easy feat.The rack of lamb eventually won me over,and I was delighted by the result. The meatwas perfectly pink and tender, and theaccompanying duchess potatoes added anindulgent element alongside the honeyroast roots. The jus packed a flavoursomepunch and complemented the naturallygamey flavour of the meat for a dish thatwas classic but with that modern twistwe’ve come to expect from The ComfyDuck.My partner went for a seafood optionwith the smoked haddock and salmonfishcake. Any decent fishcake should beboth luxurious and refreshing, here theflavours were clean and balanced thecreamy, silken fish and potato. This wasonly enhanced by the mustard velouteand poached egg. The green beans werea welcome addition to the plate, adding alight, fresh and crisp note. I’d spied one of my favourite dessertsearlier in the evening and so I was excitedto finally sit down and enjoy a slice of keylime pie. The American staple issomething of a rarity here in the UK(doubly so in Lincolnshire), so it’s always adelight to find it on a menu. This was TheComfy Duck, so the dish had a twist witha pineapple insert topped with Italianmeringue and a coconut ice. It was simplysuperb, but this is definitely one for thosewith a sweet tooth. My partner went for arhubarb and custard posset, whichboasted traditional sweet shop flavourswith its poached rhubarb, vanillamarshmallow and gingerbread. While the food was excellent, I wantedto take a moment to praise the service,especially front of house. Ben was asweetheart all evening, making us, andeveryone else present, feel like valuedand respected customers. It just helped toround off another lovely evening at TheComfy Duck. I hope it’s not too soonbefore we drop by again.The Oaklands Hall Hotel, LacebyWithin close proximity to Grimsby, The Oaklands Hall Hotel has become a port ofcall for local diners, business travellers and tourists. With its creative approach tocuisine and impeccable presentation, it’s easy to see why. If you’d like to book a table or room for yourself, visit www.thecomfyduck.co.uk,email reception@oaklandshallhotel.co.uk, or call 01472 872248.55.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:06 Page 1Deliciously Deliciously LincolnshirePlatinumAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETRelish Bar & KitchenRelish is a small, exciting and fun restaurant on the seafront inCleethorpes. Putting our guests at the centre of everything we do is whatmakes us different. Our special ingredients; background music to makeyou tap your feet, fantastic fresh food cooked to order, and a welcome fromLee, Sean and our staff that will make you feel like old friends! Add asprinkle of laughter and your favourite drink and you have all theingredients for a very memorable experience!Call us on 01472 317019or visit www.relish-cleethorpes.co.uk56.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:53 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY57DELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - NORTHAs well as being welcoming, staff wereall too happy to make recommendationsand guide my partner and I through themany delectable menu options and waxlyrical about the restaurant. Before we’deven sat down to dinner, I’d learnt somuch about what makes thisestablishment special, such as its locallysourced meat and produce.To begin I went for smoky bourbonBBQ pork belly bites, served with applebarbecue sauce and dressed rocket. Itwas a rich and robust dish with bigflavours that engaged the senses. Mypartner opted for the artfully presentedThai spiced salmon and prawn fishcake,with an accompanying tartar sauce and apiquant pickled cucumber salad. As wellas being light and refreshing, the dishalso packed an authentic Thai kick. The build your burger option seemedlike a fun and tasty main, but aseverything was so delicious, deciding onone bun or sauce type over another wastough. The waiting staff talked me througheach choice, ranging from burger type,what sauce it was cooked in, what cheeseand even what kind of bacon I wanted.Then there were sides to select. Eventually,I opted for an Angus burger in a toastedbrioche bun with a stilton sauce. On theside were twice cooked chips, crispy onionrings, coleslaw and a succulent lobster tail.Everything was delectable, and it’s acombo I can’t wait to tuck into again. My partner tucked into the chicken,ham and pea risotto for mains, servedwith delectable parmesan crisps and agreen salad. It was loaded with flavour,with the crispy ham in perfect harmonywith the chicken. The parmesan addedthat delicious salty quality which broughtout the natural sweetness of the peas. Therisotto itself was a delight, with the ricetender and creamy. I picked the greediest, most indulgentpudding I could find and it was every bitas gorgeous as I was hoping. Millionaire’sshortbread don’t come better than this,with chocolate orange, rich chocolatesauce, biscuit crumb, meringue, ice creamand oranges. The fruit kept it the rightside of sinful, but this is a dessert I wouldhighly recommend. My partner’sstrawberry and clotted cream panna cottawas almost as indulgent as my own. It wasa fabulous way to end the evening, with ajazzy presentation and soft flavours. As well as being a must-visit restaurant,The Royal Oak is also a fun sports bar,where you can drop in for a pint andcatch up with the footy. Fortunately, itexcels in the food department too, and ifyou don’t stop in soon for a meal, you’llregret it forever. There are great offers onall week, so what are you waiting for?The Royal OakHolton le ClayThe Knife & Cork restaurant at Holton le Clay’s charming Royal Oak is abeautifully refurnished pub with a charming contemporary décor. We recentlystopped in to try the menu for ourselves. To book a table for yourself, check out The Royal Oak onFacebook @theroyaloakholton, or call 01472 828583. 57.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:08 Page 158 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYDELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - WESTThe west of Lincolnshire is firmly a partof the Midlands and, lacking any accessto the open ocean, relies entirely on whatis grown there or imported from furtherafield. That means the area is susceptibleto quick changes when something newcomes along, and nowhere is that moreobvious than in the West Lindsey area,where change is the name of the game.Gainsborough has been named a GrowthPoint by the Government, which meansthey expect to see its population doublein the next two decades.This has, and will, mean a lot of newinvestment in the area, including plentyof places to wine and dine as thepopulation grows. There is alreadyMarshall’s Yard, and several food chainssuch as McDonalds and KFC havealready stamped their mark on the areaearly. With new restaurants opening soonhowever, there is more to come. Meanwhile in North Kesteven, knownfondly as the heart of Lincolnshire,ambitious plans to transform Sleafordand the surrounding area. This twenty-five year plan includes initiatives to lowercongestion in the town centre, encouragenews shops and jobs and overall make ita nicer place to live.That’s not to say it’s not a primelocation already, and the number ofrestaurants makes that clear. NorthKesteven bursts at the seams with finedining experiences that run the entirelength of English cuisine through toIndian, Mexican and European style food. Smaller towns and villages across NorthKesteven offer a similar experience, justwithout the busy hustle and bustle ofSleaford. The views from places such asBroughton and Timberland are worthseeing, as are the restaurants which maketheir homes there. Lincolnshire’s farmingheritage is clear in the area, and its foodfurnishes many famous restaurants acrossthe country.Of course, it’s impossible not tomention the city of Lincoln itself, thecapitol of the county and a home foreverything traditional and contemporary.Go West© Shutterstock / Angelina DimitrovaBordering Nottingham and with its owndistinct heritage, the west ofLincolnshire covers West Lindsey,North Kesteven and Lincoln itself.58-59.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:25 Page 1BAR & KITCHENHarbour Lights01522 808233 enquiries@harbourlights.uk.com www.harbourlights.uk.comLincoln’s most stylish bar and kitchen, celebrating fresh local flavours overlooking the marina.Opening HoursMon CLOSEDTues 12.00pm - 11.00pmWed 12.00pm - 11.00pmThurs 12.00pm - 11.00pmFri 12.00pm - 12.00amSat 12.00pm - 12.00amSun 12.00pm - 9.00pmKitchen HoursMon CLOSED Tues 12.00pm - 3.00pm 5.00pm - 9.00pmWed 12.00pm - 3.00pm 5.00pm - 9.00pmThurs 12.00pm - 3.00pm 5.00pm - 9.00pmFri 12.00pm - 9.00pmSat 12.00pm - 9.00pmSun 12.00pm - 6.00pmOpen to everyone!FREE PARKINGNEW SEASONALMENULINCOLNSHIRETODAY59DELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - WESTThe castle, cathedral and many otherattractions make it bust all year long,and the tourism has led to anabundance of wonderful hotels in thearea, many of which feature their ownrestaurants with skilled chefs and well-trained staff. Local food plays a large part ofLincoln’s success. For those looking fora traditional dining experience, it’shard to imagine anywhere more aptthan Lincoln, especially if one eats atany of the hotels along the Bailgate,which look out over the 16th centuryshops and the cathedral itself. With itswonderful shops, incredible historyand fine food, Lincoln brings a littlebit of Parisian charm to the countyand remains a hot spot for any visitor. 58-59.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:25 Page 2Next >