Review: Three Horseshoes, Leamside

Thankfully this occasion was no different.

The venue is always welcoming and despite being packed on a Saturday night, our party of nine was seated quickly with a nice back window view of the countryside.

Drinks ordered, we took a look at the extensive menu, although I went for my usual potato skins to start.

It’s a simple dish and one which this place gets right consistently.

Nothing is ever over or under-cooked and the high-quality dip sets you up nicely for the main.

The Three Horseshoes’ Thai-style linguine has been a favourite of mine for many years, the spicy dish with chicken, prawns and chorizo usually proving too hard to resist.

However, after teasing from my family that I’m a creature of habit, I went for a break from the norm and opted for the Country Burger.

This was a triumph – the succulent burger accompanied with a helpful service of hand-cut chips, crisp lettuce leaves, slaw and a rich peppercorn sauce.

I’m surprised that in all my visits to the Three Horseshoes I’d never noticed this dish, but it’s certainly one I’ll be looking to have again.

The burger itself was cooked to perfection, while the sauce (something I usually have if I’ve gone for a steak) was the best I’ve ever tasted.

Coming in at under £10, it’s wallet pleasing as well as nicely presented on a wooden board.

Give yourself plenty of time to look through the various different menus, as there is loads of choice with curries, hanging kebabs and fish dishes available.

For those taking children along, the restaurant provides ample choice for little ones and all dishes are reasonably priced at no more than £4.25. My two-year-old daughter had a garlic bread to start with and then wolfed down a burger of her own, perhaps following her dad’s lead.

Fewer than half of our party went on to have a dessert, but by this stage I felt full enough after devouring both my starter and main.

But on past experience I can say that ice cream is a safe bet for those looking to indulge their sweet tooth.

Service as ever was spot on, with the waiting staff attentive if we wanted another round of drinks at any time.

For those wanting a more private dining experience, the venue has two rooms upstairs seating up to 12 guests which can be used for all occasions and business meetings.

Three Horseshoes is also the brewery tap for the Working Hand Brewery, so there’s plenty of opportunity to wet your whistle with a real ale or two if that’s your thing.

Far from resting on its laurels, this place is going from strength to strength.