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Review: The Nag's Head
CALORIES – thousands. Alcohol units – far more than what is good for me. Weight – are you kidding?
And so it was with good intentions that I, like Helen Fielding's character Bridget Jones, decided that she would put an end to this bad behaviour and go on a diet.
But as we all know "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men... Gang aft agley."
Mine went "agley" at about the same time I agreed to take a friend to the Nag's Head at Ainley Top.
That's where we found ourselves on a sunny Saturday lunchtime in early April – a journalist and a barrister.
I'm afraid that's where my story's similarities to Bridget Jones's Diary end – no embarrassing incidents involving a miniskirt in a fire station or skydiving into a pigsty.
Having said that, I did rather in-elegantly fall off a ski lift a few weeks ago, so does that count?
The Nag's Head, built in the 17th century as two cottages and a barn, is a pretty ivy-clad building.
Tucked away on New Hey Road, it is within easy reach of the M62.
Inside its oak beams, open fires and comfy leather chairs create a cosy, homely atmosphere.
Customers can choose to eat either in the bar or the contemporary-style restaurant.
After a glass of Chilean merlot and a pint for my friend, let's call him Mr Darcy for argument's sake (go with me on this one – it's a theme), we moved into the restaurant, having been told that bookings were only necessary for large parties.
Mr D opted for the pan-fried Spanish chorizo accompanied by bread to start and I went for the pate.
The game pate was tasty enough and came with toast and salad as you would expect. However, Mr D felt the chorizo, which was sliced thickly, was a little on the chewy side.
Service was prompt, unbelievably so – seconds after the waitress whisked away our plates, our mains were plonked in front of us.
I ordered the seared salmon fillet in a chilli dressing. The salmon was crumbly but may have gone down better without the sticky chilli sauce.
The dish was supposed to be served with risotto but this was not on offer and instead I opted for a side salad – how can a restaurant be clean out of rice?
My guest went for the Aberdeen Angus burger with bacon and cheese accompanied by chips.
He wasn't asked how he would like it cooked and when it came, it was too well done for his liking.
We asked the waitress to leave us a while before ordering desserts but five minutes later she was back, menus in hand. I went for an old favourite – sticky toffee pudding while Mr D opted for a homely warm apple pie. My pudding was nice (I do have a sweet tooth) but the sticky toffee seemed to be stuck to the side of the dish and it was lost in a sea of cream.
To be fair, I had visited the Nag's Head, for Sunday lunch previously and always found the food to be fresh and very tasty – it is popular for its carvery.
Despite our qualms, after coffee, we did leave the place feeling full.
So full, in fact, that Mr D went home for an afternoon snooze.
Ah well, back to the diet.
Details
Name: The Nag's Head
Address: New Hey Road, Fixby, Huddersfield, HD2 2EA
Telephone: 01422 373758
Courier reviews conducted without the prior knowledge of the restaurant
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Friday 10 February 2012
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