Home comforts
PHIL NORRIS just can’t resist a Sunday roast with the family at the rather impressive House in the Tree
THERE is an easy answer from our family when anyone asks us for a Sunday roast recommendation. It’s a beautiful pub and restaurant on the edge of Cheltenham, and it’s our absolute go-to place for quality food, service and value.
The House in the Tree is a little off the beaten track but it is more than worth the short trip out to Withybridge Lane, to the north east of Staverton, off the B4634 and not far from junction 10 of the M5.
And when my mother-in-law flew in from Europe for a weeklong break, it was the obvious choice for a Sunday lunch. We’d booked a couple of weeks in advance, but it was almost fullybooked and we could only get the 2.30pm slot.
The first thing to make absolutely clear so there is no room for doubt is that the roast dinners taste fantastic, are generously portioned, and excellent value for money. Nobody is going to leave the House in the Tree hungry.
The other thing to be clear about, is that the place is warm, inviting, friendly and usually packed with people of all ages. Conversation is always a charming hubbub, and the wooden beams, welcoming staff and a sense that a lot of the people there are regulars, gives this an unrivalled family feel.
We went with three adults and two children, with two chicken roasts and a mix of pork, beef and chicken ordered for the grown-ups (at £14.99 each).
The children had a cheeseburger, chips and sweetcorn and chicken nuggets, chips and baked beans (£5.50 each).
The roasts come with huge Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and a roast parsnip.
A centrepiece vegetable bowl came with seasonal vegetables - carrots, broccoli, red cabbage and a cheesy leek sauce. We were a bit new to the cheesy leeks, but it’s become a family favourite and is usually the first to disappear from the vegetable bowl.
Call it a quirk, but I don’t think red cabbage goes with a Sunday roast, so I passed on that. And while I hate parsnips, a bit of bartering can normally get mine exchanged for a roast potato or meat from one of my dining companions.
For the children, the chicken nuggets were vastly superior to the nuggets you can get in some fast-food places, made with real chicken breast.
And the plump, juicy burger was also in a different league than those at popular burger chains and for a great value price.
The chunky chips were tasty and satisfying, too, in a way a French fry can never be.
The girls quickly polished off the nuggets and the burger (with a bit of sharing) and one happily took on an extra Yorkshire pudding from the adults who had more than enough on their plates.
Luckily, a few chips were left over which I took responsibility for as we never like to see food wasted.
For dessert, the girls love the doughnuts and ice-cream (£1.50) while I was the only adult who had room for dessert. I opted for the exquisite warm treacle tart with enough custard to give it a bath.
One of the delights of the House of Tree, apart from the delicious food, friendly environment and great value for money, is the outside with its animals and adventure playground.
Sadly, the weather meant our children couldn’t go on the play equipment this time, but there is always time to check in on the animals. So we said a quick hello to the goats, pigs and ducks, even though most were wisely keeping out of the rain. For many visitors, it’s the animals that provide that extra draw as something for the children to do while waiting for the food (never that long), between courses or for a little walk after leaving.
Further details about pricing, booking and menu at the House in the Tree website at houseinthetree.co.uk