Imagine a 17th-century country pub tucked away on the grassy banks of the River Don right next to Sprotbrough Lock offering character, history, distinctive surroundings and some lovely riverside walks from the doorstep – this is what you get when you visit The Boat Inn.
After suffering damage from flooding, the pub was recently restored to its traditional best, with the utmost care taken to maintain the original interior style.
A country pub oozing rural charm and rustic character, its picturesque surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for savouring the hearty, seasonal pub food on its menu, not forgetting its cask ales and fine wines.
Upon arrival, our first impression was great. The restaurant had a contemporary feel in a lovely picturesque location with a special mention for the outdoor seating area – lovely and spacious, and when the sun is shining, it’s an amazing sun trap to have a cold refreshing tipple or two.
The menu boasts a wide variety of hearty food, so without further ado, here is what we opted for…
Starters
Creamy garlic oven-baked mushrooms – £6.95
It came on an artisan bloomer with a cheesy cheddar sauce – for all cheese lovers this dish was a dream, and was the perfect portion size.
Chicken Liver Pate – £8.25
Perfectly sized, this dish came with caramelised red onion chutney and roasted rustic bread. The chutney was really tasty, and really complimented the pate.
Mains
7oz Fillet Steak – £29.75
All steak lovers know the importance of having your steak cooked how you like – it can make or break the dish. We asked for ours to be medium/rare and this is exactly how it was served. Succulent and pink, it was served with triple-cooked chips, roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a choice of steak sauce. We would definitely recommend this dish.
Pan-roasted Lamb – £25.95
Tender lamb rump, served medium, with a mini minted lamb pie, gratin potato and a red wine jus. The lamb again was cooked to absolute perfection, extremely moist and succulent. The lamb pie was tastefully moreish and brought an extra lamb element to the dish which was lovely.
Desserts
Vanilla crème brulee (v) – £7.50
This is one of our favourite desserts and one that we order regular and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
The honeycomb dome (v) – £8.95
This one is certainly for all the chocolate lovers out there. Presented beautifully with a mixture of chocolate, honeycomb pieces and ice cream, it was the perfect blend of crunch, cream, and of course, chocolate.
As you can probably tell reading this review, we were very impressed with our food and couldn’t fault anything. It’s the perfect place for a catch-up with friends or if you want to celebrate a special occasion. The menu offers something for everyone and is great for those who love getting stuck into their food.
Whether you’re seeking a picturesque setting to enjoy high-quality dining or a cosy spot by the fire to enjoy a drink, The Boat Inn has it all.
To guarantee a table at the Boat Inn bookings are essential, especially on weekends. To book, please visit: https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/yorkshire/theboatinnsprotbrough#/
