The Leopard, Bishops Tachbrook
The Leopard, Bishops Tachbrook
OUR RATING: 3/5
Reviewer: Martin Lawson
Date of Review: September 2002
IN years past The Leopard was a favourite watering hole for a leisurely pint or two at the end of a hectic week.
Time moves on however, as do lifestyles and working patterns. Lunchtimes, and certainly the extended ones, have long gone from the professional agenda.
So my return after a lengthy absence, not to wind down and talk shop with colleagues and contacts in the bar, but to dine in the restaurant, was an occasion for some pleasant reminiscing.
It wasn’t like it was in the ‘old days’, but then little is. Probably unfairly therefore, I came away with mixed feelings.
Although it is preferable to dine in some comfort and style, the restaurant seemed just a little too removed from the lively hustle and bustle of its village pub setting, but then it was a quietish night with only three or four other tables taken.
Not that I wanted to be back in the bar. You cannot really enjoy a relaxing or intimate dinner for two while being buffeted by crowds of people quaffing pints.
On a busier night later in the week I imagine the rather barn-like restaurant (or was it visions of an old schoolroom I vaguely glimpsed?) would be infected more effectively with atmosphere and the buzz of laughter and conversation. But these things are a matter of personal taste.
And on the taste front, there is an excellent menu with many tempting creations from which our selections were imaginatively prepared and presented. The diner is spoiled for choice from a compact list of attractive options - and don’t forget to check the nightly specials on the blackboard.
Our first courses - red lentil and garlic soup with wholemeal croutons and a super chorizo sausage and black pudding toad-in-the hole - got us off to a good start.
The main courses - a succulent shoulder of lamb dish and breast of chicken with a mushroom and spinach risotto - kept up the standard, though the latter was a bit “rice puddingy” in texture, I was told.
One sweet, a sumptuous chocolate brownie affair swamped in rich sauce and ice cream, finished us both off.
The whole came to a value-for-money £58 for two, including a large glass of red each from a good range of wine. It was not an evening for a whole bottle.
But it probably will be the next time I visit The Leopard which I will again - and not just for the memories.
NB: the restaurant is non-smoking.
