The Lion, Newark

A smart dining pub with oppressive furnishings, and pictures on every wall, carefully chosen to clash with all the different wallpapers. (They must have run out of money and ended up just hacking the plaster off one wall, but luckily they had a couple of pictures that clashed nicely with the bare bricks.) The bar counter is made of old street doors, but seemingly they were from a street in Kensington, with immaculate paintwork and brass fittings. The hand pumps were fairly standard, four of them with beers from Marstons (see photo) - I went for Ringwood Boon Doggle, which was pretty good (NBSS 3.5). A potential customer popped in and asked if they were doing food (it was 4pm on a Thursday) but was told they didn't start until 5. He asked what about a sandwich - no, sorry, chef is not here yet. But there were three or four serving staff and I was the only drinking customer. Could they seriously not rustle up a sandwich or two?

Official site of The Lion - www.thelionatfarnsfield.com

Official site of The Lion - www.thelionatfarnsfield.com

This has got to be the best thing to happen to Farnsfield in years! Excellent food, excellent service, real ales, outside area. The decor is exquisite and adds to warm relaxing atmosphere. I would recommend a visit to this 'travel to restaurant', though reservations are recommended. G.