The Sutton Arms is a typical village pub set in the centre of the small village of Scawby. From the outside it is an attractive whitewashed building with hanging baskets. Inside it is a warm, welcoming place with dark furniture and low ceilings. As well as the bar area, there is a separate dining area.
We were a group of four friends, average age 75 who meet up every few months for a meal and a chat. It was the first time we’d been to the Sutton Arms but we had heard good reports about the food.
We settled down at out table, a large round table with plenty of space, to study the menu and specials board. There was plenty of food for thought and difficult decisions. The menu caters for all tastes with a range of pasta dishes, fish, salads, burgers, steaks and meat dishes. Vegetarian and gluten free meals are marked. Would it be the braised belly pork of beef strogonoff from the specials board. The battered haddock and chips being served to the next table smelt and looked delicious. In the end I was boring, choosing Bob’s steak and ale pie. A good steak pie takes a lot of beating and the menu proclaims over 300,000 satisfied customers served. You can add another one to this total. The pie was excellent.
The pie was served in a round earthenware dish and had a thin shortcrust pastry top with a very generous filling of large tender chunks of meat in a rich gravy. It was very good. I’d chosen chips with it rather than new potatoes and these were large and chunky with crisp outsides and fluffy insides. It also came with a generous serving of frozen peas.
i’d intended to wash this down with a half pint of real ale. The pub recently won the CAMRA pub of the season award. However it only had a choice of one real ale when we visited which didn’t appeal so I had a glass of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon instead. This had plenty of body for a 13% wine and was served at the correct temperature. There is a reasonable selection of red, white and rose wines to choose from.
For those wanting a slightly smaller serving there is the Her’s steak and ale pie.
Other friends had the sea bass fillet which was served on a selection of vegetables including small cobs of sweet corn, peppers and onions. It was also given their seal of approval.
Servings were generous and we were pleased we’d resisted a starter. We were offered coffee and desserts but declined.
Staff and service are good and the meals are served piping hot. Prices represent good value. We’ll be back.
“Website”:http://suttonarmsscawby.co.uk/index.php
“Menu”:http://suttonarmsscawby.co.uk/menus/SAmenu.pdf