The Old Forge Restaurant at Bob's Smithy Inn

This is an interesting review in that it's a twofer... two-for-one... I decided to visit The Old Forge at Bob's Smithy Inn as I'd been hearing great things about it, and the reviews online were very positive, plus the menu looked hearty and traditional, so I popped along one weekday afternoon.

The outside is a traditional rural English pub, with car park to the rear, and a large outdoor seating area. On a blustery and damp February day, walking inside was a really pleasant experience.

As I walked inside, it was warm and comfortable as a real log fire burned happily in the middle of the room. I saw a room on the far side signposted as "restaurant" but it was in darkness, so I asked about ordering food, as I saw others around eating. The staff member told me that there is a lunch-time bar food menu, but that as it had just turned 2:30pm, that they could only just squeeze my order in, as the kitchen closes for the afternoon until the restaurant opens at 6pm. This was a bit of a surprise as I hadn't seen food serving times on the website, but this was fair enough, I ordered a glass of Coke and sat by the warm fire and had a read through the bar menu.

In fairness the menu was actually pretty good, with a good few tasty offerings. I decided to order the traditional beef burger with chips. During my wait I was able to chat to the very friendly bar staff, who made me feel very welcome.

My food arrived... albeit on a "serving plank" rather than a plate. This is a bit of a modern fad I'm not much of a fan of... I don't see what's wrong with a normal plate! However, the food arrived well presented (aside said plank), and looked very appetising.

Although the burger is cooked through as standard and so not pink inside, this burger was by no means dry or tough, but very juicy, and packed with flavour which genuinely surprised me as I took a bite. A really delicious and unctuous burger. Likewise, the home made chips which accompanied (in a little galvanised bucket) were perfectly hot, crispy on the outside and fluffy and hot inside with a great crunch.

However, it was so filling that even though the friendly bar staff showed me the desserts board, I just had no room to attempt it! One that caught my eye was a sticky toffee sundae! Yum! 

I paid up (very reasonably so!) and said that I'd have to visit again soon, and definitely try that sundae!

Now here's where it gets interesting. A few days later, after a day out with my partner, I suggested trying the Old Forge on a whim, and after phoning them, I found that the restaurant itself was open during the day on a sunday, so we booked a table and drove over. We entered what was now a very busy and popular pub, with families and friends sat around drinking, eating and chatting, as well behaved dogs sat by their feet, hoping for the occasional end of a bit of sausage to be thrown their way. We walked through to the restaurant.

The Old Forge feels considerably different to the bar area, and is more modern bistro than rural pub. The restaurant is decorated in shades of green, black, and cream, with dark wooden modern furniture, but whilst retaining the traditional Italian Restaurant style candle-in-a-wine-bottle on each table.

We read through the menu, which was also reasonably priced at either two or three courses for a set price. A young staff member offered to take our coats, and took our drinks order as she told us the specials and specifics of that day's menu. For our starters, my partner ordered chicken pâté, and I opted for the cod goujons with tartare sauce.

The pâté arrived on one of those bloody serving boards again, but the pâté itself was tasty, and served with a simple side salad and relish. The cod goujons were delicious. The fish itself was delicious, and the batter was perfectly crisp. I couldn't fault a single thing with it... it even came on a plate! Huzzah!

For our mains, we both realised we were in a "pie mood" and chose the cheese and onion pie and steak pie respectively. 

Both pies were really enjoyable with a good crust, and felt truly home-made. They came with a carrot and mash puree and vegetables in the form of cabbage, green beans, and cauliflower. They were also accompanied by the same big chunky chips I mentioned earlier! Lovely! The steak pie that I ordered also came with a really sumptuous gravy, the kind with a proper sheen on top letting you KNOW it's going to be good!

For dessert my partner ordered an apple tart with custard, and I ordered the classic jam roly poly (with custard, of course!). Both arrived well presented, but we realised that the apple tart had come with ice cream instead of custard, however this wasn't anything to kick up a fuss about, as we both agreed the desserts were delicious. The apple tart was tasty but perhaps could've been a little bigger, wheras the jam roly poly had that real comfort food feel to it, and rounded the meal off absolutely perfectly.

Throughout the meal we were taken good care of by attentive but not overbearing staff, the food was excellent in all regards, and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit, pledging to very much do so again, and to bring friends and family along as well, especially considering they proved themselves equally capable with a lunch bar menu and an evening restaurant menu, without compromising on quality or service. Well done! :)

The Old Forge Restaurant at Bob's Smithy Inn

Chorley New Road

Bolton

BL1 7PX

(01204) 842 622

http://www.bobssmithy.co.uk/