The Retreat

FOOD from an extensive menu packed with popular dishes, served quickly and served big, is what keeps people flocking to the Retreat on a quiet country road at Norton, a few miles outside Worcester.

It was Saturday evening and the restaurant was doing a roaring trade. Almost every table was taken and there was a constant hum of conversation from couples and families who were quite obviously enjoying their night out.

A huge menu with 11 starters, a selection of grilled, combination, fish and “favourite” dishes was supplemented by additional and vegetarian options listed on chalkboards.

As our party of three struggled to select from such an extensive menu, the staff were sweeping by bearing plates piled high with food. At the Retreat what you see is what you get and there is no skimping on quantity. If the menu says “accompanied by new potatoes” or “with curly fries”

that is what you get – in abundance.

Service was also well above average, from the kitchen where the chef managed to keep up with the heavy demand for a wide variety of dishes, to the chatty bar workers and the waiters who, despite a heavy workload, remained friendly and helpful.

We settled variously on breaded king prawns (large and plentiful for a starter) with a Thai sweet chilli dip, chicken liver pate on toast with red onion chutney, and fig and goats’ cheese parcels. All three won a vote of approval.

My companions would have selected the whole rainbow trout but when we arrived at 8pm there were none of the fish left, so they opted for tasty salmon Veronique – poached fillet in a creamy white wine sauce garnished with grapes and served with copious quantities of new potatoes and a salad garnish.

My pork steak Diane was tender and came with plenty of sauce, fries and a small but fresh portion of salad.

By the time we had polished off our mains we found it impossible to do justice to the desserts – two huge ice cream sundaes topped with cream and served with sauces, and a mixed berry flan from the gateau and hot puddings cabinet.

Not one dish we had ordered cost more than £7.95 and the final bill for all that food, plus a gin and tonic and several glasses of wine (not for the driver) was a value-for money £64.05.

HOW IT RATED Food: 4
Service: 4
Ambience: 3
Value for money: 5