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Article on Louth Food - Daily Telegraph July 2007
Rose Prince on the best of regional British food.
This week: Louth, Lincolnshire
While Michelin and the AA guidebooks continue to
dominate food tourism, BMW has brought out a manual to food adventures in
Britain that is challengingly original.
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| Fishy business: wide selection at Igloo
Seafoods |
The Good Food Ride taps into a growing interest in the
new style of relaxed eating, in venues where ingredients are all.
Thank goodness someone has done it.
Michelin's obsessive admiration for theatrical
restaurants that overload menus with technique has often driven me to buy
my own ingredients and make a picnic.
I don't want the starred restaurant's amuse-gueule: a
bite that takes the maître d' three minutes to explain but goes down the
throat like a slice of smoked salmon down a Labrador dog, leaving no food
memory.
I don't want to pay for cleaning the three tablecloths
draped over my table and I don't want to contribute to a million pounds'
worth of interior decorating.
But what has all this got to do with Louth? The Good
Food Ride takes you on a tour of the UK's gems and is particularly good on
market-dining: farm shops and delis where you can sit down to eat as well
as buy.
The book includes 11 tour maps, each offering a
different "food adventure".
The East Midlands route took me to Louth, an
old-fashioned shopping town surrounded by farm shops.
You can buy a picnic in this Lincolnshire Shangri-La to
surpass all others - a true antidote to the preciousness of déjeuner à
la Michelin.
SUPERMARKETS
There are no major chains in Louth, hence the healthy
throb of the town's many shops. There are several butchers and
greengrocers competing on the high street, just as they should. The
nearest large stores are in, or close to, Lincoln or Grimsby.
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| The best cuts: Jackson's Butchers |
Sainsbury's Grimsby shop sells asparagus from Kitchen
Garden Produce in Owmby-by-Spital and a large amount of fish from Young's,
based in Grimsby.
Asda's Grimsby store sells Pocklington's plum bread and
other cakes (see later listing) and plum jams made by Myers.
Morrisons has a store in Grimsby, but no local produce
to report. Tesco's Cleethorpes store sells Lincolnshire potatoes (white
and baking).
Waitrose's Lincoln store sells vegetables and fruit from
several named local farms - check boxes and signage in the store - and
Lincolnshire Poacher cheese.
SHOPS,
FARMS AND MARKETS
Louth was once home to five abattoirs, but all of them
are now closed because of the high cost of the onerous regulations brought
in after the BSE crisis. Louth's butcher's shops continue to thrive and
all buy from local farms.
Louth Farmers' Market
This is held on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the
Market Place. For details, contact Susan Smith on 01507 568 885.
Pocklington's Bakery, 2 Market Place, Louth (01507
600 180)
The Pocklington family bake bread and confectionery
using flour milled from wheat grown in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Their plum bread is adored by local people and the
bakery will send it anywhere by post.
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| Baked goods: Pocklington's Bakery |
Jackson's Butchers, 118 Eastgate, Louth (01507
602797)
Nigel and Val Wrisdale's shop is a temple to
Lincolnshire tradition. The haslet (a loaf made from sausage meat, liver
and onion) and chine (cured pork shoulder, boned and stuffed with parsley)
is made with Lincolnshire pork.
Bacon is smoked with hickory and there's cured fat to
lay on top of game birds or venison, which bastes and flavours naturally
as it roasts.
Wrisdale's pork pies have beautifully crisp pastry.
Nigel used to be a slaughterman and will not make his pies with boar meat.
"It taints the flavour and is much too firm."
A Dales & Sons, 120 Eastgate, Louth (0785
2532539)
A poulterer is a rare sight in a market town, but this
institution has been going strong since 1896, when it was opened by Peter
Dales's grandfather.
All chickens are locally sourced and during the season
this is the place to go for game birds that have been locally shot, hung
and expertly prepared.
On the day of my visit, Dales was selling vegetables
with roots nicely caked in Lincolnshire mud. Closed on Mondays.
Igloo Seafoods, 15 New Street, Louth (01507 603933)
Lesley Tyler's father was a fish merchant working from
Grimsby beach and all the fish is bought from the nearby port.
The haddock is smoked with turmeric by Lesley's brothers
(trading as Kirwin Brothers) and on the day of my visit there was a good
variety of superbly fresh fish on display, including grey mullet,
mackerel, mussels, plaice, sprats and crabs from Whitby. Fish pies,
fishcakes, and baked soused herring are all prepared on the premises.
RJ Sandy Butchers, 180 Eastgate, Louth (01507 603357)
Richard Sandy buys whole carcasses of Lincoln Red cattle
and cuts them himself, so there is an impressive range of cheap cuts such
as skirt, thin rib, rising rib and shin to choose from, as well as the
prime roasting cuts.
The sausages are wonderful: additive-free and cased in
natural skins.
Louth Wholefood Co-op, 7-9 Eastgate, Louth (01507
602411)
The place to buy flour milled at nearby Alford's
five-sailed windmill, plus local eggs and some organic vegetables.
Lakings of Louth, 33 Eastgate, Louth (01507 603186)
Yet another amazing butcher that has been in the town
for 100 years, specialising in Lincolnshire pork: pies, faggots, brawn and
black puddings.
Robinson's, 125 Eastgate, Louth (01507 602499)
Fifth-generation grocer Chris Robinson buys soft fruits
from a farm four miles away, potatoes from Alford, green vegetables from
Wainfleet and apples direct from farmers.
Abbey Farm, Stixwould, Woodhall Spa (01526 351739)
Twenty minutes down the road from Louth, James and Lucy
Barclay keep native breeds that include Lincoln Red beef and Gloucester
Old Spot pork. They also offer ready-made foods.
Pink Pig Organics, Holme Hall, Holme Lane, Scunthorpe
(01724 844466; www.pinkpigorganics.co.uk)
A little out of the way, at the end of The Good Food
Ride's East Midland food trail, lies an excellent farm producer and shop
specialising in pork, with a good restaurant on site. A must if you are in
the region.
LOUTH
EATING
Keep things simple and prepare a picnic with a few
slices of chine and dry cured ham from Jackson's and some Lincolnshire
Poacher cheese.
Eat the cheese with Pocklington's plum bread, spread
with a good coating of butter, just as the Lincolnshire farm workers once
had it.
Good Food in Louth Lincolnshire
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NEW Restaurant - Melanie's
Restaurant was launched on the 9th October 2007, everything
from the bread to the ice cream is made on the premises.
We endeavour only to use fresh seasonal ingredients and to reflect
this our menu changes as the seasons dictate.
We always strive to achieve the highest standards of food
safety and hygiene, this has been recognised by the Enviromental
Health Office who recently awarded the Restaurant 3 stars for
excellent food safety standards.
If you would like to make a booking you can contact us on 01507
609595 . or you can e-mail us at melanies.restau@btconnect.com.
If you are not familiar with our Restaurant and your first contact
with us is online: We would be pleased to hear from you! Please let us
know what your needs and questions are, we will be more than happy to
help.
37 Upgate, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 9HD 01507 609595
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Taipan Chinese Restaurant
Next door to All Seasons -
This restaurant serves superb
food and has won a gold award by quality food online. The food
is not cheap but excellent and the service is exemplary.
Set menus are very good with meals from around £15
per person..
Tai Pan specialties include Aromatic Crispy Duck and
Jumbo King Prawns in tomato sauce. Baked lobster and steamed bass
available at market price.
138 Eastgate, Louth,
Lincolnshire LN11 9AA
Tel. 01507 602332
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Chuzzlewit Tea Rooms
Chuzzlewits is a Victorian themed tea room where you feel as though
you have stepped back in time as you sip loose leaf tea from bone
china cups and saucers, and enjoy the taste of our delicious cakes,
scones and sandwiches, which are all handmade in the tearoom kitchen.
The Westerman family pride themselves on using only the highest
quality teas and offer a selection of 30 loose leaf teas. Victorian
sideboards, counters and large potted palms all add to the atmosphere
in our grade 2 listed building. We are open all year, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
26 Upgate,Louth
Lincolnshire Wolds LN11 9ET
Tel:
01507 61171
Owners: Cyril and Susan Westerman &
Family
christian_6@hotmail.com
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Meridian Meats
108, Eastgate in Louth. Richard Sandy, Family Butcher, occupied
these premises until 2nd February when he retired and we
acquired the business which his grandfather established in
the 1920s. By what can only be described as a fortunate coincidence
our new shop is situated beside where the Meridian Line passes
through Louth! The Louth shop will be run by Jim and will offer a
full range of Lincolnshire Specialities, including our own Award
Winning Stuffed Chine, Lincolnshire Sausages, Pork Pies and Haslets.
Jim also dry cures our bacon and gammon, both plain and smoked as
well as producing an extensive range of hand made ready meals, pies
and so forth.
The shop telephone number is 01507 603357
Charles, Debbie and Jim Sutcliffe,
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Serendipity Restaurant
Serendipity restaurant
is open to non residents on Fridays and Saturdays.
It comes highly recommended.
The setting within a Gothic hotel in Louth is tranquil and idyllic. Head chef
and owner, Paul Hugill uses local produce to great effect to create
interesting and imaginative dishes in an exciting 16 course meal. The
courses are small enough to ensure one can try everyone and still be
able to stand afterwards!
An experience not to be missed
especially at £35 for 16 courses. Booking essential as there are only
a few tables - intimate!
Tel: 01507 602930
Fax: 01507 609767
info@theprioryhotel.com
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Mr Chips
Mr Chips is a fully
air-conditioned self-service stylish restaurant which has been
refurbished to cater for all from mother and baby to the elderly and
disabled. Attention has been paid to detail to ensure that your visit
is satisfying and enjoyable.
Fish is gorgeous - do not be
put off by the unimaginative name of this fish and chip
restaurant.
The restaurant is enormous and
seats several hundred.
Tel: 01507 603756
Fax: 01507 601255
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Perkins Pantry
Perkins Pantry is a
fully-licensed restaurant serving traditional English cuisine -using
local produce- in a smokefree atmosphere. Children and wheelchair
users welcome in our award-winning restaurant.
The owner, Sue Locking is larger than life and will keep
you entertained - a truly wonderful person who always has time to help
people.The restaurant is small and
seats around 20 people. It serves fantastic deserts which are freshly prepared. Recommended particularly for
vegetarians - the Louth vegetarian society like it so much they have
their meetings here.
Perkins Pantry caters
for most special dietary needs. Open 6 days (until 11pm Fridays and
Saturdays), closed Thursdays.
Tel: 01507 609709
Fax: 01507 602526
sue.pp@fsbdial.co.uk
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The Millhouse, Covenham
Covenham St Bartholomew,
Lincolnshire Wolds LN11 0PB
Tel/Fax: 01507 363652
The Millhouse is an outstanding restaurant, well known for its
intimate atmosphere and relaxing surroundings. The four chefs produce
an enticing selection of fresh home-cooked food that offers
traditional fayre with some inspirational twists. Amongst the
starters, for example, is a Filo and Tempura Japanese-style prawns
dish served with a garlic dip mayonnaise. Specialities of the house
include a wonderful home-made Steak Pie with Castle Eden Ale, a tasty
chicken Lasagne and a delicious home-made Moussaka. You'll also find a
good choice of fresh fish, poultry and vegetarian dishes, the latter
including a healthy and appetising Mushroom, Broccoli and Asparagus
Cannelloni. Complete your meal with one of the scrumptious home-made
sweets and puddings.
Serving lunch and evening meals seven days a week, the restaurant
can seat 160, including 60 places in the galleried older part of the
building, and 36 places in the leafy non-smoking garden room. Children
are welcome and there's easy access for visitors in wheelchairs.
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The New Plough, Covenham
The New Plough
Main Road
Covenham St. Bartholomew
Louth
Lincolnshire
LN11 0PF
Telephone
[01507] 363284
The New Plough is situated in the lovely village of Covenham St
Bartholomew on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Just off the A16,
we're 7 miles northeast of Louth and 10 miles Southeast of Grimsby.
With a bar, lounge and fully licensed Restaurant which has a sunny and
inviting atmosphere coupled with a distinctive Mediterranean vibe, the
New Plough can cater for any function or dining need from a full al la
carte menu to weddings and other functions to just a social drink with
friends in the bar or lounge.pening Times
Monday & Tuesday ~
5.30 - 11pm
Wednesday - Saturday ~ 12 – 2pm & 5.30 – 11pm
Sunday ~ 12 – 10.30pm
Food Served
Tuesday ~ 6 - 9pm
Wednesday - Saturday ~ 12 - 2pm & 6 - 9pm
Sunday ~ 12 - 8pm
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The Royal Oak Inn (The Splash) Littlecawthorpe
Watery Lane
Little Cawthorpe
Louth
Lincolnshire Wolds
LN11
8LZ (Click for Local Map)
Tel. 01507 600750
Description
Located in the peaceful village of Little Cawthorpe on the edge of the
Lincolnshire Wolds (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) just two
miles from the Georgian market town of Louth.
An historic country public house and restaurant with en suite
bedrooms, next to picturesque ford in beautiful wolds village. Ideal
location for walking or cycling, 18 hole championship golf course 1
mile, functions catered for.
Months open
Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec
Opening times
Open everyday of the year but times vary.
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NEW for 2008
Babbits Artisounds Food
116 Eastgate
Louth
Lincolnshire
LN11 9AA
Tel: 01507 611117
Superb deli with home made cakes and olives, cheeses
etc.
NEW for 2008
Melanies Restaurant
(See above for more info)
Closed in 2008
Cristobells
Restaurant
Cristobels Bistro is no longer open.
Why not try Melanies at the same address and same number.
Fenwicks
Sausages
Moved to Grimsby in 2007
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Lakings
Butchers
Butchers Lakings of Louth makes the best Pork Pie in the east of
England. The company won the accolade at the East & South East Em-Tech
Awards organised by British Meat, which were held at the Meat and
Livestock Commission’s headquarters in Milton Keynes last Wednesday.
The awards gave independent butchers from across the South East and
East of England the chance to put the quality of their products to the
test, and 260 products were entered for evaluation.
In addition to their category award, Lakings of Louth also scooped two
gold quality standard awards for their Turkey & Ham Pie and Lamb
Wellington.
33 Eastgate, Louth,
Lincolnshire, LN11 9NB 01507 603186
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McCleods Deli, Tea and Wine and Beer Store
In fact whatever you are looking for it's likely to
be here, Terrific range of bottled beers and coffee and spices from
around the world. Lots of Local Lincolnshire produce on sale of
course.
Beautiful shop and setting right next to St. James
Church with the tallest parish church spire in England.
McCleods is easy to find as it has a huge Champagne
bottle on the wall above the shop as its sign.
JS Mcleods, Lincolnshire
Bridge Street
Louth
Lincolnshire LN11 ODR
Tel No: 01507 601094
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Parkinsons
Quality fish and chips, family run business for 30 years. Small
fish and chips to take away for under £2
111 Eastgate, Louth
telephone 01507 604435
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The Cheese Shop
Sells cheese!! Very rare to find a shop specialising in cheese,
this shop is a must .
110 Eastgate,
Louth LN11 9AA
telephone 01507 600407
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Robinsons
William Robinsons and Sons Grocers
125 Eastgate
, Louth
, Lincolnshire
LN11 9QE
telephone 01507 602499 |
Bella Bella
Italian Restaurant
17 Upgate, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9ER
01507600880
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Helal
Tandoori Restaurant
1A Mercer Row, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9JG
01507607960
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Via Italia
Italian Restaurant
9 Upgate, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9ER
01507608464 |
Thai Silk Restaurant
6a Mercer Row,
Louth.
Lincolnshire.
LN11 9JQ.
[ Click
here for a map ]
Telephone Number(s) :
01507 354900
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Cobbles Bar
Pub serving meals every day. Open on Friday and Saturday evenings
only. Good service and pleasant atmosphere.
Telephone: 01507 606699
Address: 2 New Street, Louth, LN11 9NT
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The Golden Fleece
Pub
Telephone: 01507 602013
Address: Kidgate, Louth, LN11 9EZ |
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The Woolpack Inn
Pub
Telephone: 01507 606568
Address: 14 Riverhead Rd, Louth, LN11 0DA
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Pack Horse Hotel Louth
Pub
Telephone: 01507 603848
Address: 65 Eastgate, Louth, LN11 9PL
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Ye Olde Whyte Swanne
Pub
Telephone: 01507 601312
Address: 45 Eastgate, Louth, LN11 9NP
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My Fathers Moustache
North Holme Rd,
Louth.
Lincolnshire.
LN11 0HQ.
[ Click
here for a map ]
Telephone Number(s) :
01507 607796
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The Newmarket Inn
Pub with restaurant
Telephone: 01507 605146
Address: 133 Newmarket, Louth, LN11 9EG
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The Masons Arms Hotel Louth
Telephone: 01507 609525
Address: Cornmarket, Louth, LN11 9PY
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Kai's Bar
Daytime Pub and Night Club serving meals during the day
Pawnshop Passage Tel: 01507 609090
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Samuals
Formerly The Cellars
Night club
Telephone: 01507 601219
Address: Eastgate, Louth, LN11 9NG
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Turks Head
Pub with meals
1 Aswell Street Louth Tel: 602921
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The Woodmans Inn
Pub
Telephone: 01507 602100
Address: 134 Eastgate, Louth, LN11 9AA
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Dr Tonics
Pub
Queen Street Louth Tel: 603119
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Lucys
Wine Bar
12 Queen St
Louth
LN11 9AU
01507 600002 |
Wheatsheaf
Excellent Traditional Pub serving real ales next to St. James
Church
Telephone: 01507 606262
Address: 62 Westgate, Louth, LN11 9YD
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The Lincolnshire Poacher Hotel louth
Telephone: 01507 603657
Address: 211 Eastgate, Louth, LN11 8DD
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The Millers Daughter
Pub with restaurant
Telephone: 01507 608904
Address: 21 Northgate, Louth, LN11 0LT
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Hotel Louth, Hotel in Louth
Hotel Louth, Hotel in Louth
Hotel Louth, Hotel in Louth
Lincolnshire Information
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