< Previous60.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:08 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY61DELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - WESTDetermined to bring the best pubexperience possible, the Cross Keys Innat Grasby embraces comfortable dining,with décor that stands somewherebetween a pub and a restaurant, retainingthe ambiance of the former withoutfeeling too formal or stilted. The result isa very lively and enthusiastic experience,with friendly staff and warm greetings. Taking our seats, we perused the menu,pleased to see that the Cross Keys catersfor everyone with plenty of gluten-freeand vegetarian options alongside themore expected dishes – all prepared in-house and from locally sourcedingredients. For our starters, I opted forpan-seared scallops with vanilla porkbelly, coconut cream and toasted sesameseeds, which was crispy and soft with anincredible mix of flavour and texture.Mouth-watering in the extreme, it was awonderful way to start the meal. Mypartner chose the three cheese bon-bonswith cherry gel, watercress and candiedwalnuts, which also proved a vocal hit.The main course is often what arestaurant is judged on, and it’s nodifferent with ourselves. My baked hakefillet with crushed new potatoes, springonion and sun-blushed tomatoes wasfresh and full of flavour, especially thehake itself. Locally sourced and with agenerous portion size that definitelydidn’t disappoint. It was also, I have tosay, nice to see a meal that was well-presented without being ostentatiousabout it, sittingpretty withoutleaving me guiltyfor daring to eat it. It was the twelvehour braised beef bladethat appealed to mypartner, served withsoft herb mash, silverskin onions, wildmushrooms and crispParma ham. Thepresentation here wasnothing short ofbeautiful, as was the smell, and I wasreliably informed that the meat was meltin the mouth delicious, or would havebeen had it been given the time to doso. With fresh vegetables adding to theflavour and a delightful sauce, there werecertainly no complaints to be had. In the interests of professional integrity,we soldiered on and ordered dessertdespite feeling quite satisfied already. Ichose a light lime and ginger Pannacotta, biscotti and cherry gel – which wasa delightful and subtle way to finish offmy meal. With just the right amount ofcrunch to the biscotti and sweetness tothe Panna cotta, it was a wonderful wayto finish a good meal without leavingone feeling stodgy or bloated. Showing that his earlier reluctance fordessert was a farce, my partner chose thechocolate indulgence, a definitely not-so-light combination of white chocolatemousse, chocolate brownie, raspberrygel and popping candy. Indulgent iscertainly the correct name for such adessert, with rich chocolate flavoursoffset by the tang of raspberries. In bothcases, the desserts were designed tocomplement rather than to overpowerthe main course, and that care andforethought shows throughout the CrossKeys, which after this has become one ofour firm favourites. With its delightful ambiance, wonderfullocation and excellent views – not tomention the sheer enthusiasm andfriendliness of the family that runs thepub, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular inthe area. We left satisfied, relaxed andhonestly happier than we had from manymore formal restaurants in the past. Itwas a definite win on our end, andcertainly a venue worth checking out.The CrossKeys Inn,GrasbyA family run pub determined to be the best,we visited the Cross Keys Inn this month to seewhat makes them stand out from the crowd. For more information or to visit or book a table at the Cross Keys Inn, visit www.crosskeysgrasby.co.ukor call 01652 628 247. The Cross Keys Inn is located on Brigg Road, Grasby, DN38 6AQ. 61.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:11 Page 162 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYDELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - EASTThere are few places with suchdiffering landscapes as the east ofLincolnshire. At one moment you canstand on golden sands overlooking theocean and surrounded by brightly-coloured beach huts, and the next canfind one walking through the LincolnshireWolds, an area of outstanding naturalbeauty in terms of forests, fields andcountryside. There’s a lot to see in the area, fromwildlife and countryside to sportingactivities and museums. When it comesto our taste buds, there is also a lot tosample. The menu is diverse, coveringseafood and traditional English meals, allproduced from local ingredients.East Lindsey welcomes thousands ofsun-seeking holiday goers a year toMapplethorpe and Skegness, and whilethey may not seem so vibrant nowcompared to beaches in the tropics,there are still many who appreciate thequintessential British seaside trip. For those looking for an experiencemore along the lines of shopping orheritage, there is Louth and Alford, bothof which boast excellent high streets andplenty of things to see. The diningheritage of East Lindsey is also varied,with plenty of farmland across theregion and a wide array of hotels, pubsand restaurants.Lincolnshire Poacher cheese is aparticular delicacy of the area, citedby many experts as Britain’s bestcheese. With East Lindsey at the heartof Poacher country, it is a good placeto pick up some. Watch out too forthe excellent game served inrestaurants, often served with plumbbread and Lincolnshire sausages, allbeloved in the east. Woodhall Spa is another area ofparticular note, thanks in no smallpart to its famous golf course, butalso the sheer amount of hotelsand restaurants in the small town,which has been named as one ofthe country’s most beautiful locales. Whatever one is looking for, thereis plenty in the East Lindsey regionto accommodate, and the food onoffer is simply splendid, whether itbe in Horncastle, Louth, WoodhallSpa or Mablethorpe itself. EasternDELIGHTS© Shutterstock / Gill KennettEast Lindsey, the Wolds and the towns that dotLincolnshire’s coast – the east of the county is adelightful mix of beautiful countryside, quaintvillages and fantastic dining.62.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:15 Page 1Situated by the first fairway of the Bracken course at the National GolfCentre, Woodhall Spa – home of the English Golf Union, The DowerHouse Hotel is an elegant and intimate country house hotel, full ofcharacter and charm!•Ideal wedding venue •Sunday lunches •Afternoon teas•Golfing packages •Corporate hire •Function hireThe Dower House Hotel offers a delightful choice of setting for yourwedding, and is a unique venue to hold an event, or celebrate that specialoccasion. Whether business or leisure, the attentive service you will receiveis second to none.MANOR ESTATE, WOODHALL SPA, LINCOLNSHIRE LN10 6PYTEL: (01526) 352588 EMAIL: INFO@DOWERHOUSEHOTEL.CO.UKWWW.DOWERHOUSEHOTEL.CO.UK63.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:15 Page 164 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYDELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - SOUTHSouth Kesteven is one of the mostwell-known parts of Lincolnshire, possiblythanks to it being known as the TV star ofthe county, with over six-hundred listedbuildings, many of which have featuredon television and in movies such asMiddlemarchon TV, or the film version ofPride and Prejudice. Whatever the case,South Kesteven is an area with a lot tooffer and many beautiful sights to see.With high property prices and a lot ofhistory, it’s perhaps easy to see why manyquality restaurants and hotels have madetheir home there.The area is home to eight villages intotal, including towns like Grantham,Bourne and The Deepings. Almost all ofthese settlements have a traditional pubof one form or another, many servingpub fare that is as familiar as it isdelicious. There are plenty of other venuesoffering more exotic cuisine, however.Hotels and restaurants dot the area,especially in Stamford where the stone-brick buildings present a beautifulbackdrop for an evening meal. Boston and Spalding sits to the southeast, set against the spire of St Botolph’sChurch. Equally iconic is the Maud FosterMill, one of the few still working mills thatproduces flour to this day. It’s estimatedthat almost half of Boston’s populationare employed in the agriculture sector, soit’s a town well equipped to highlight thefood heritage of the region. Boston’s© shutterstock/mary416SouthernCHARMSouth Kesteven, Boston and Spalding – the south ofLincolnshire has much to offer, not just in terms ofhistory and sport, but dining too.64-65.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:55 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY65DELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRE - SOUTHThe Hammer & Pincers pub is awelcoming, warm pub thatserves a great range of caskales, fantastic food and offersservice with a smile. It has aselection of meals availablethroughout the day, startingwith breakfast at 9.30am onweekdays, and then lunchesand dinners. Every Sunday itoffers a sumptuous carverywith a range of meats andvegetables to choose from. It alsooffers a range of entertainment and roomfor large parties. Hammer & Pincers now serve food allday on Saturday and Sunday.BT Sport and Sky Sports is shown onmultiscreen.Award winning restaurantDeliciously Deliciously LincolnshirePlatinumAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETSwineshead Road, Boston, PE21 7JETel: 01205 361323Email: wayne.salmon@btconnect.com www.hammerandpincers-boston.co.ukfarmers markets also prove popular with locals, whocome by to peruse the best of Lincolnshireproduce.The market town of Spalding has a similarheritage, both in terms of food and history itself.Again, the local food markets remain a popularaddition to the Lincolnshire towns, with fresh foodbeing sold for the first time in Boston’s market wellover a thousand years ago. Boston and Spalding play host to several of thetop growers and suppliers in the industry, all ofwhich stock Lincolnshire and other counties in theUK. It comes as no surprise then, that restaurantsdot the landscape, from Stamford to Boston andeverywhere in between. They range from traditionalpubs to gastronomic diners and restaurants servingfood many will have never heard of before, letalone sampled.As ever, food is serious business and SouthLincolnshire puts particular emphasis on the fact. 64-65.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:55 Page 266 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYDELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIRESimple snacksWe can’t afford to eat out all the time – as much as we might like to – so here aresome snacks and light meals perfect for those wanting to try and be a little moreadventurous in the kitchen.© shutterstock/NatashaPhotoAVOCADO TOAST WITH BLUE CHEESE, RADISH & WALNUTServes: 1Preparation time: 5 minutesCooking time: 2 minutesYou’ll need:1 slice of sourdough bread, toasted1⁄2ripe avocado, mashedSqueeze of lime Salt and freshly ground black pepper3 French breakfast radishes, sliced20g Danish blue cheese, crumbled4 walnut halves roughly chopped and toastedDrizzle of olive oil (optional) What to do:Combine the mashed avocado and lime juice andseason well with salt and black pepper. Spread on thetoast.Lay the radish slices over the avocado then crumble thecheese over the top, scatter with walnuts and season. Drizzle with olive oil if desired. Recipe courtesy of www.loveradish.co.uk The ever-popular brunch dish is given a crunchy twist by topping with pretty,peppery French breakfast radishes and walnuts.66-67.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:27 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67DELICIOUSLY LINCOLNSHIREPicture your venueExotic Thai Restaurant205 High Street, ScunthorpeTel: 01724 843204Exotic Thai Restaurant is a testament to traditional Thaicuisine. The only Thai restaurant in Scunthorpe, Exotic Thaican accommodate up to seventy guests for a deliciouschoice of authentic starters, main courses and an impressiveselection of fish dishes along with a choice of tasty desserts.The Exotic Thai prides itself on authentic Thai cuisine with friendly service, giving a truetaste of the east.Byards Leap LodgeEast View, Byards Leap, Cranwell, SleafordTel: 01400 261375/07595 760 774www.byards-leap-lodge.co.ukWhether you are on a leisure or business trip, you’ll find warmhospitality at the Country Kitchen and Lodge. It offers four star,silver awarded accommodation, having won a TripAdvisor award of excellence.The Lodge has five double rooms, all of which are en-suite and on the ground floor, as wellas two two-bedroom apartments. Dedicated facilities for the disabled are available.To promote your services callAngie Cooper on 01472 310302or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.ukYou’ll need: 60g unsalted butter, at room temperature1⁄2tsp cinnamon4 tsp sugar16 Viva Strawberries, sliced200g flour11⁄2tsp baking powder1 egg300ml milk200g mascarpone What to do: Beat together the butter, cinnamon andsugar. Dollop it into a saucepan and meltover a medium heat. When the butter startsto froth add the strawberries, toss well in thebutter and turn off the heat.Whisk together the flour, baking powder,egg, and milk until smooth. Heat a heavybased, non-stick frying pan or bake stoneand grease with a little oil. Pour smallamounts of batter into the frying pan (about2 tablespoons per pancake), once the tophas bubbled and dried flip the pancake andcook the other side till golden. Keep warmwhilst you make the rest of the batterReheat the strawberries gently while youarrange the pancakes. Place a pancake oneach serving plate and spread withmascarpone then arrange some slicedstrawberries on top. Repeat this layering untilall the pancakes are used up. Top the stackwith any remaining strawberry slices anddrizzle over the melted cinnamon butter.Recipe courtesy of Berryworld.com © shutterstock/Christopher ElwellBERRYWORLDSTRAWBERRY SCOTCHPANCAKESLight, fluffy and bursting with the goodness of strawberriesthese pancakes make a perfect breakfast treat. Serves: 4Prep time: 10 minutesCooking time: 30 minutes 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:27 Page 268 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYALFORD© Alford Town CouncilAll to do inAlfordA historic market town well-known for its period buildings,Alford may have entered the modern era, but still retainsmuch of its charm68-71.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:29 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY69ALFORDe hear much these days aboutthe lack of community spirit andcertainly it could be said that manytowns these days looks pretty much the same – thesame chain stories and a rather bland approach. Butif you’re after something different, then Alfordserves as an oasis of individuality.Alford is a location rich in history, thought to beestablished around 650 AD by Anglian invaders ona point where an ancient track crosses a stream. Itwas a point of convergence for traders travellingacross the country. It was mostly a collection ofsmall huts – more a hamlet than a town - but Alfordcame into its own in 1530, where it became amedium sized market town.At the time it was noted as being a town that useda lot of thatch for its rooftops, and this continuestoday with Alford Manor House being one of thelargest thatched manor houses in the country.Nowadays, the manor house serves as a tea roomand open gardens for visitors, and even has amuseum at the back, showing First World Warmemorabilia. In truth, a lot of the charm of Alford is in the sense© Alford Craft Market70 ÁW68-71.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:29 Page 2Next >