With our two children still away on holiday in Lanzarote Helen and I decided a mid week night out was required.
We are not unfamiliar with Pioneer. I use it as a meeting point in the course of business and the great WiFi is the main reason for that although the bar area is a pleasant and relaxing place. We also occasionaly use the meeting room / function room upstairs for more formal meetings. It is very child friendly and our two young girls enjoy it there also.
Whilst we occasionally eat in the bar area from the Tapas or daytime menu it has been a while since we ate in the main restaurant.
We started the evening in the bar area with a bottle of the house Chenin Blanc and as it was mid week in the height of the holiday season the place wasn't overly full, our eating time could be flexible and we were not at all rushed. Our waitress gave us our menus in the bar area and told us about the specials of the day.
Our starters were ready and we were taken through to the restaurant. Helen and I both chose from the 2 course evening menu. Helen chose the crayfish cocktail and I decided on Bury Black Pudding with crispy bacon and a poached egg. Both were tremendous and very tasty. My only slight regret was that I hadn't paid attention to the specials as Chicken Livers on Rosti with a raison jus was up on the blackboard and I think that would have been well worth a try.
Helen had a mixed Pork dish as her main course. This consisted of fillet of pork wrapped in bacon and two cumberland sausages on mash with a rich onion gravy. This was accompanied by wild mushrooms. I had Seabass on a pea and prawn risotto. Both dishes were well cooked and well presented and very enjoyable.
All in all a great break with great service, good food and wine - we won't leave it as long till our next visit to the restaurant.
