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Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
@philhopkinsuk
9:00 AM 16th August 2022
lifestyle

Enjoying A Roast(ing) In The Oulton Summer Sun

 
Nick Herhenteris asked if I played golf. “Afraid not,” I replied. He started laughing: “Neither do I,” he said and smirked. We had just shared the ultimate irony.

I was enjoying Sunday lunch in The Claret Jug, at one of Leeds’ smartest properties: Oulton Hall Hotel Spa Golf Resort where he was the Guest Experience Manager: between us, it sounded as though neither of us had ever swung a golf club in anger!

However, right then, I was more interested in the Yorkshire puddings and roast beef that were arriving at my table in the golf house cum dining venue adjacent to the 18th century main hotel building.

My genial host engaged me once more by sharing that he hailed from Athens in Greece but was married to a Mancunian and had lived on the Lancashire side of the Pennines for more years than he cared to remember.

Seconds later his number two stepped forward and Nick was on his way back West: it was his two days off.

Locally Oulton Hall has been known for a long time as one of the smartest wedding venues in West Yorkshire; these days it is part of The QHotels Collection.

However, it also has a reputation for good food and recently introduced a Sunday roast offering which is available in the newly refurbished club house venue, The Claret Jug.

You can enjoy two courses for £21.50 or three courses for £25.50 while overlooking the picturesque grounds of the estate, and starters on the new menu include smoked mackerel, ham hock terrine, field & wild mushrooms on toasted ciabatta and, for stalwarts like myself, oblivious to searing temperatures, tasty green pea and bean soup with feta cheese crumb stone scorched sourdough!

“Good Heavens,” said my wife, “we could have brought the entire family.” Our plated meals arrived along with an additional tray of vegetables.

Mum used to consider Mrs Hopkins junior as rather petite but never used those words. “She’s six stone wet,” she’d say, or ‘there’s nowt to th’ lass.” Needless to say my wife can pack away a meal with the best and waded into the Oulton offering with all the vigour of an athlete in need of sustenance!

Main dishes on offer included traditional roast topside of British beef, herb & honey roasted chicken, roast loin of pork with crispy crackling & baked apple, pan-roasted seabass and butternut squash, cashew & sweet potato nut roast.

All main courses are served with Yorkshire puddings, crispy roast potatoes, root vegetable mash, honey roasted parsnips, carrots and gravy.
I slumped back like an over fed Sultan who’d just been waited on hand and foot by his culinary retinue. My wife eyed the sweet menu.

“Did you know that women have two stomachs,” she said, “a savoury tummy and another for puddings!” I took her point. “Ok,” I said, “We’ll have to share because I’m stuffed.”

A sticky toffee pudding with ice cream later neither of us could move!

For dessert, you can choose from lime ginger crème brulee, milk chocolate mousse, red berry Eton Mess or sticky toffee pudding.

There was no room for coffee!

We groaned our farewells and waddled to the car although there was an option to retire to the hotel’s newly refurbished champagne bar. We might never have emerged!

Thankfully the car park was only a short walk away. Our ‘golfing’ experience – at least the views – had been wonderful. Perfectly prepared, this Sunday lunch is worth a slot in your diary.

To book simply visit www.oultonhallhotel.co.uk/dining/

Offer
You can enjoy 10% off your total bill on your visit – simply ask your server for details.

The Venue
Set in a blissful 300 acres of landscaped gardens on the outskirts of Leeds with superb spa and leisure facilities, two championship golf courses, Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa Golf Resort has its origins in the 18th-century. The four-star resort has a range of classic and luxury rooms and suites highlighting the ideal mix of contemporary decor and rustic cosiness.