What a difference a new team can make at The Grange in Oadby, Leicestershire.
We have not been to the Grange in Oadby for at least a year possibly two. The last time, the food and service was so poor, even though it’s convenient and a really nice Gastro pub feel inside with a lovely lawn and tables outside when it’s sunny, we have not been back.
We returned completely by chance as we were trying to think of somewhere to go for pub food where a cider lover would be happy and knew in the past they had offered a good selection of cider.
We decided to take a chance. With trepidation and very low expectations we ordered the puy lentil cottage pie with cabbage and the beef and red wine lasagne with a side salad and when the food arrived and we tasted it, we immediately asked if there had been a change in ownership.
Boy what a difference. The food was tasty homemade faire. The mains cost about £17.00 but the portions were generous and the food fresh, hearty and very tasty. A 180 degree turnaround from the last experience we remembered.
The food was so nice we decided to go for pudding. The desserts were priced between £6.00 and £9.00 and there was a lovely selection to choose from. We tried the chocolate brownie and ice cream which was rich and well made, not sweet, not sticky and not too much. The Bramley apple crumble and custard which was polished off completely too and the medley trio of ice cream, chocolate, vanilla and honeycomb. The ice cream wasn’t homemade, as you know I am a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to ice cream but tasted really lovely, decent quality.
The Grange didn’t disappoint when it came to the cider either. They don’t offer any zero alcohol spirits but the Thatchers Zero cider was tasty and refreshing and didn’t taste like fizzy apple, it actually did taste of cider. It’s great to try something new and the Rekorerlig vegan cider we’d never had before.
Rekorderlig is a popular Swedish fruit cider brand brewed in Vimmerby since 1999 using pure spring water. Available globally, we later found out you can buy it in Waitrose for £2.69 a bottle it is produced by Åbro and known for premium, refreshing flavors like Strawberry & Lime, this was the one we tried in the alcohol and alcohol free versions, Wild Berries, and Peach & Raspberry, best served over ice. It is produced in Sweden by Åbro Bryggeri.
We all tried the alcohol free version which to be honest tasted like strawberry tizer, basically fizzy pop so would recommend if you want the cider experience without the alcohol stick with the Thatchers Zero.
The bill ended up at about £100 including tip for three people but they do have a two course and three course set menu with fewer choices where you can certainly save. We didn’t opt for this because the veggie, vegan options weren’t available on the smaller menu, but if you like meat and fish this would definitely be the way to go. They also have an app for frequent visitors to save too.
A friendly positive and warm experience with a country pub vibe, rustic interiors and really hearty tasty home cooked food. Make sure you save room for dessert.
The pub is part of the Vintage Inn chain but the new management have definitely managed to give it more of a free house feeling.