Sunday lunch in the New Forest: review of The Red Lion at Boldre
During a recent long weekend staying with friends in Hampshire, we were taken for Sunday lunch to the Red Lion, a stunning 15th century pub at Boldre in the New Forest.
The Red Lion is rightly proud of its use of local suppliers & seasonal ingredients and is an Associate Member of the New Forest Marque for its use of New Forest produce.
We sat on the lovely covered patio alongside the spacious gardens. In more inclement weather the traditional, cosy interior would be perfect. With a glass of good local beer in hand make sure you view the Specials board as well as the standard menu.
I started with a delicious homemade smoked Hampshire trout pate with – a nice touch – pickled cucumber wrapped around the outside. There was a good-sized portion of pate and they weren’t stingy with the butter either. Good, malted grain bread and simply dressed leaves sat alongside.
For the main course, unusually for me, I opted for the traditional Sunday lunch of roast beef. The local Hampshire beef was cooked perfectly to my taste (nice and pink) and was served, as you’d expect and hope, with roast potatoes and roasted parsnip. A large and impressive Yorkshire pudding plus creamy leeks and gravy completed the plate with an individual dish containing a good selection of vegetables served to each diner. The fact that I’d have preferred the vegetables to be hotter was my only quibble, but it was still a very good traditional roast lunch.
The Red Lion makes much of its homemade puddings and, judging by my dessert of Lime and Stem Ginger Cheesecake, they have every right to do so.
In this very nicely balanced, non-baked cheesecake the main flavour was lime with little pieces of stem ginger studded throughout. Light & creamy in texture, I enjoyed the cheesecake on its own without the need to add extra cream from the little jug provided.
Besides serving up delicious food and local beers in a very pleasing environment, we found the staff to be really friendly and efficient and, having two dogs amongst us, also welcoming to those including providing treats.
Will certainly be more than happy to return to The Red Lion to try more of their menu.