Tuesday night at The Stag in Middle Handley, was a pretty quiet one, arriving for a table at 7.30pm with only two other tables in the restaurant. We had purchased the Groupon deal of meal and drinks for four. We sat down for a drink included in the deal, in the well furnished bar area before being approached at 7.30pm on the dot to get to our table, maybe just a little too eager considering it was not busy and felt a little rushed…..
The setting is a beautiful one with a quaint surrounding area and the pub itself has just undergone the most well executed refurbishment, lots of detail to draw you in everywhere and lots of furnishings that you may well want in your own home, including a dining table with a sunken area for cooling your bottles of fizz.
Starters was a ‘sharing plate’ of black pudding deep-fried which was really tasty, accompanied by a well dressed rocket salad. Quite a few other starter options; among them were olives and garlic mushrooms which were apparently really delicious. My partner and I both ordered beef burger on a brioche for mains which was really palatable but slightly over cooked therefore a little tough and dry. The other guests in our party had gammon and egg and fish and chips which were reported to be rather amazing….I have to admit I was a little jealous of their choice! The dining area itself is complimented by an open view straight in to the kitchen.
Drinks were spot on with plenty of choice and the table service was good. The new owners of the pub are making a very evident effort to re-fresh and re-launch their business which will work due to the ‘no expense spared’ feel you get from a visit there. There is a kids play area outside with some really inviting seating for summer days. The pub is a real treat and will leave you wanting to go back for more.
Bookings can be made on 01246 434800 or via www.devonshirearmsmiddlehandley.co.uk.
The Stag at the Devonshire Arms is situated at Lightwood Lane, Middle Handley, Sheffield, S21 5RN.