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Seaton Lane Inn
Seaton Lane, Seaham. Tel. 581 2038
I THINK I've found my new favourite pub.
After spotting the Seaton Lane Inn in the distance night after night like a glowing beacon, only to relent and head home on the northbound A19, I finally put my head round the door for the first time in years, when the pub was officially relaunched following a revamp.
Getting the balance right when you overhaul a pub isn't easy, but they've managed here, with deep, dark colours mixed with white and fancy fittings.
More importantly, the welcoming atmosphere is still there, with proof in the old regulars who still call into the snug bar at the front of the building.
Landlord Adrian Marshall, who runs the business with wife Dee, says the aim of the refit was a country pub with a modern twist.
Adrian, who has previously run the Alexandra in Grangetown and the Phoenix in Seaham with his family, added: "We're delighted, we took on the pub six years ago and at the time it was very much a country kitchen, but we've taken that up a few steps.
"Everyone's been pleased with what we've done and the regulars think it's wonderful."
The reputation of its good food remains intact too.
The Marshalls have boosted their kitchen staff and there's plenty choice.
From soup, pate, mushrooms and fishcake for starters, which are priced about the 4 to 6 mark, to hearty meat dishes, a host of seafood choices and a good few vegetarian options for mains, prices ranging from 7 up to 19, on the a la carte menu, with sandwiches and traditional pub fare on the lunch menu.
From Sunday evening to Friday, there is a two courses for 9.95 menu too, which we plumped for.
Out of the six dishes, one friend opted for soup of the day, tomato and basil, and the other for pan fried mushrooms in garlic with toast and a poached egg. I went for chicken liver pate and toast.
For our mains, chicken Milanaise, a breast baked in breadcrumb served with garlic and herb butter, and pan fried salmon with stir fried vegetables were picked by the others.
I went for the steak, with trimmings and peppercorn sauce, which is available for an extra 5.
We were happy with the offering of proper chips, while the stronger willed went for veg, and each dish got our approval.
Dinner is split into three serving sessions at noon, 2pm and 4pm, with two courses at 8.95, and booking is recommended for any time.
The pub offers two permanent real ales, Landlord and Bombardier, and two guest beers on offer, each at 2.70 a pint, a choice Carling, Fosters, Kronenburg and Peroni lagers, which range from 2.80 to 3.50, and a choice of wines, from 2.10 a glass to 14 for bottles of house wine.
Measures of spirits are 1.65 with a mixer 50p more.
Soft drinks are 1.20, fruit juices 1.10, with coffee 1.50 and tea 1.
A general knowledge quiz is held each Wednesday, with a music-based challenge held on Thursday evenings.
FIONA THOMPSON
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Friday 10 February 2012
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