The Inn on the Lake, Milton Keynes

Official site of the Inn on the Lake, contains menus - www.innonthelake.biz

Official site of the Inn on the Lake, contains menus - www.innonthelake.biz

Now known as The Inn on The Lake, being in Milton Keynes this is naturally quite a modern building, but is nonetheless an interesting design being almost circular in shape (it's actually got about 12 sides, but I've no idea what such a shape is called) with a glass turret roof and views along the lake, as it's name suggests. There are a few picnic benches outside which would no doubt be a pleasant spot in the warmer weather and this is adjacent to some parkland as well as lake. Inside the front three quarters of the pub is one open space but divided in to dining and drinking areas with a roughly 2:1 ratio and is mostly carpeted other than some tiling around the bar area. Decor wise there is quite a bit of exposed brick, particularly the pillars between the windows which run pretty much all the way around to make the most of the outlook. Elsewhere there is some wood cladding on the walls in a very pale blue colour and this is also reflected in the front of the bar counter. Seating in the dining area was all tables and chairs as would be expected, with small leather armchairs in the drinking area along with a couple of brown leather sofa's in front of a large brick fireplace. This contained several copper pans and the like as well as what appeared to be a wood burning stove, although on closer inspection appeared to be burning only gas. A plasma was up in the corner although there was no sound on. Various arty photo's of wine bottle and glasses are dotted around and there was also an illuminated stained glass portrait of a swan on the lake. A selection of pastries and cakes were on the bar reflecting the fact that they promote morning coffee and afternoon tea as well as alcoholic beverages. At the rear is a slightly more enclosed room which is again geared up for dining, although this was not in use on a recent Monday evening visit. This has a much higher roof and a back wall painted in a terracotta hue, along with a couple of old dressers and even a butter churn. There is also a smaller upstairs room in the glass dome of the roof which must give good views, although that looked as though it only had one or two tables. The menu was quite extensive and offered a number of "pub grub" options such as Chilli Con Carne, Ham Egg & Chips, Lasagne, etc., along with a few more adventurous dishes, fish options and a "pie and pudding club". These were priced mostly in the £8 - £12 range. My Chicken & Mushroom Stroganoff in a brandy and cream sauce was a pleasant and tasty dish, although at £12.95 I felt that the portion size was a little on the small side. The tables also had flyers promoting the Christmas menu which seemed a bit premature until I read the small print and saw that it was available until the second week of January 2013. Doesn't anyone ever clear up here? Beers on tap were a little disappointing, and despite three hand pumps on the bar the sole offering was Bombardier. The solitary cider was Stowford Press.