The Woolpack, Sopley
The Woolpack, Sopley.
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| Ploughman's Lunch, Woolpack at Sopley |
Location -
Nr Christchurch
BH23 7AX
Date of Visit - 13/07/2023
The Food
8 - Pickled Onion. The pickled onions were quite good. Smallish, but Crisp, crunchy and tasty. A bit too sharp, so dropped a few points.
8 - Pickle. Well, perhaps, I should give more points. There was both a ploughman's/Sweet pickle (think small chunk Branston) and a piccalilli. However, the Ploughmans pickle seemed like it might have been a catering pickle (although very good) and the piccalilli had something about the taste that I wasn't 100% sure about. You might like the piccalilli, it can be quite a personal thing.
8 - Cheese / Ham. There was a choice of 2 of Cheddar, Stilton, Han and Chicken Liver Pate. I'm not a fan of either Stilton or Pate, so opted for Cheddar and Ham. The ham was OK. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but not special. The cheddar on the other hand was mind-blowingly good! A gentle mature cheese, absolutely bursting with flavour yet very, very creamy. Served at a good temperature it was almost spreadable. I think if I had opted for cheddar X2 the score would have been 10. You might love the Ham, so give it a go. If you like Stilton or Pate, give it a try and let me know in the comments - they might be very, very good.
10 - Bread. Spot on. A half-sized baguette-style thing sometimes referred to in the UK as a Parisienne. Now, if you are French or know French bread well, you may tut at this, as obviously not a patch on what you get fresh from a boulangerie in Montmartre. However, it was still very good. Warm, light on the inside, lightly crusty and packed with bronzed gluten umami. Delicious.
3.5 - Spread. It was butter. It was in packets. It was Lakeland butter. I have nothing against Irish butter, in fact, it's rather nice. But come on, how about something more local in a pot to reduce packaging. Plus there were only 3 packs, 4 would be better (OK, maybe not for my diet, but hey, it a meal-out treat, let me make that call). On the plus side, it was a perfect temperature.
5 - Presentation. Top-notch. A ploughman's is one of the few things that is good on a plank, better than using a plate. It looked superb. Look at the pictures, it s visual delight.
5 - Salad, etc. Again, top marks. Crisp, freshly made, tasty. Lovely bit of dressing that was very subtle and delicious. A mixture of leaves including pea shoots, sliced peppers, slices of apple, and some bits of celery.
5 - Originality. Pretty good - once again, the plank works for this. Two pickles and pickled onion, an interesting salad and a showing of apple, and a fantastic presentation. Here's a chef who takes something ordinary and creates joy.
Food Total: 52.5
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| Flatlay of Ploughman's lunch, Wollpack, Sopley. |
Beverages
10 - Drinks. I have a bitter shandy, but the drinks selection looked good. I must return to check the tea offering, but I have faith it will be good.
Drinks Total: 10
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| Front of Woolpack, Sopley |
The venue
10 - Atmosphere. Top marks here too. I know that this can be beyond the control of a venue, however, it can be guided by them. The atmosphere was relaxed and genial. Friendly, yet also had the feeling of occasion. The sort of atmosphere that would be conducive to a family get-together (as our occasional was) a birthday (ditto that), a day out (again, ticked), a business meeting, a date night or even a first date, just because you are hungry or even if you just want to get some booze down you and have a laugh!
5 - Location. Fantastic location. Beautiful building inside and out with lovely gardens and baskets full of flowers. A nix mix of bits and bobs of buildings showing it had been about for a few years. Located right next to a road, but that only added a bit of interest and connected it to its historical function of servicing the traveller. Nice riverside garden and patio area. Good stop-off if you have been to the coast for the day.
5 - Toilets. Perfection.
Venue total: 30
Score: 92.5
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