With only three”foodie” nights every month, The Royal Oak Freehouse in Snitterby, Lincolnshire is a proper pub with guest ales. Curry night is interesting, serving from 6-9pm. With a choice of two meat curries, this week consisting of chicken kavurma ( turkish for korma) or beef madras. The side dishes are included and were red lentil dahl, chana dahl, an aubergine dahl, rice, bombay potatoes and some naan, although resembling a flatbread. The dish was tasty, not too spicy but definitely indian style.
The landlord kindly explained that the spices which were used to make the paste, are provided by a local man who imports them and who has a vast knowledge and experience of using them having worked in a Michelin Star restaurant in London. Under his supervision, the curries and sides are freshly prepared in the pub’s kitchen and have proved to be a hit with the locals who invade the pub to relish this lovely dish. I would suggest arriving early as by 8 O’clock, there is not always a choice, so popular is it. At £7.50 per head, this dish represents excellent value.
To add interest to this monthly event, the pub serves 6 guest beers, hand-pulled, at any one time including the famous 5.6% Doombar, Dark Island and Misty Morning. It’s dog-friendly too, which for me as a dog owner, is a bonus. I would recommend it.
Written by Julia Ross, Food and Wine Critic