Renovated East Yorkshire pub offers an extensive menu
It was a destination pub for good food that drew custom from all around the county, my parents and in-laws included, decades ago. My partner and I have also eaten at the Trout Inn, Wansford, near Driffield, at a couple of functions, but in more recent years it sadly closed down and sat looking somewhat forlorn beside the B1249 for quite a time.
But then it was taken over, a huge scheme of renovations began (we watched it emerging, in stages, from its tired whitewash render on our journeys past it) and then it opened with a fresh new vibe in early 2024. Our understanding of it, early doors, was that it was a drinkers’ pub – and nothing wrong with that – but hearing that things had developed on the kitchen front too we thought it was high time we crossed the threshold to discover what the Trout’s food offering was like today.
We called in for lunch on the off-chance and found a friendly welcome from the barmaid, one of our favourite tipples on the pumps – Theakston’s Old Peculiar – and thus we sipped our pint-and-a half of the dark brew as we settled on a long bench seat in the window, with loads of scatter cushions for extra comfort, and studied the menu. There was heaps of choice, and we were impressed by what was listed.
We decided to swerve the starters in favour of pudding, if we had room. I chose the pan-fried salmon with new potatoes, seasonal vegetables and lemon and butter sauce, while my other half went for local sausages served on a bed of chive mash, with veg and onion gravy.
We had time to relax and take in the surroundings in this half of the pub, a mix of modern and traditional. There’s a stunning flagstone floor, timber panelling to the bar and walls and a sturdy but simple brick-built fireplace containing a logburner – not active on our visit but I bet it looks a treat when it’s fully ablaze.
Our main meals duly arrived and the plates were piping hot. I was pleased to see the sauce for my fish served in a separate boat (I’m not a fan of plates flooded with sauce or gravy) and my partner was pleased to see three hearty, savoury and done-to-a-turn sausages sitting atop a good serving of mash; we both had peas and mange-tout as accompaniments.
The helpings were just right for our appetites and after clearing our plates, we were able to rest and ruminate on what our dessert choices might be. I was very torn – homemade crumble and jam sponge were vying for attention – but I thought I’d go for the cake of the day, with coffee or tea, option.
Carrot cake, chocolate cake or Victoria sponge were the cakes offered – I ordered carrot but then learned that was finished, so a slice of Victoria reigned instead. It was a lovely, light sponge but unexpectedly warm – not unpleasant, just a surprise – and if I can be picky, I would have preferred fresh cream layered with the jam in the middle, rather than the bright-white mock cream filling.
Even so, it went down well with the cappuccino I requested. And my partner polished off his portion of sticky toffee pudding, with custard, like there were going to be no Trout tomorrows.
It was a very pleasant experience, eating out at the Trout, with friendly and attentive staff, and we thought the total cost of our meals and drinks, at £45.50, was very fair.
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