Review: The Rat Inn, Anick

They’ve got a lovely view from the garden of the Rat Inn, over the Tyne Valley towards pretty Corbridge. Inside the pub is lovely too, one of those (seemingly) effortlessly ideal pub interiors, dark timbers, fireplace, brass whatsits and a chalked-up menu.

The big thing at The Rat is their sharing steaks, Chateaubriand and rib of beef. They chalk up the weights and prices on a board for you to chose. Here I got caught out by an irritating details. On the board on the wall was a list of steaks, all crossed-out except the 450g Chateaubriand. Perfect. Maureen and I decided to share that. Then when they came to take our order and we said we wanted to share a steak, they came out with another chalk board from behind the bar with just a few ribs on, none under 800g. Oh. But… we pointed hopefully at the board on the wall. “No, those ones are all gone.”

I deflated like a party balloon found two weeks later behind the sofa and ordered some… trout, I think? I can’t really remember. My whole being still focused on the cold water that had been dashed on my excitement. Which is fine, these things happen, but they could certainly have changed my entire enjoyment of the evening by remembering to cross-out that last Chateaubriand earlier. Sigh. After that I was ready to find fault instead of ready to feel warm, so you can read on and decide for yourself…

I started with a plate of manchego and cured meat, with a good onion marmalade and a nicely oil-and-salt dressed leaf salad. All good. For main I did indeed have trout. I liked: the very crispy skin, the samphire and fennel salad, the charred asparagus. I didn’t like: the fish cooked right through, no translucence or softness left in the meat. Maureen had the Rat burger and although the beef was great, very full-flavoured, it was cooked right through without any hint of pink left inside. Which is to some tastes, for sure, but not ours.

Everything at The Rat Inn was high quality and cooking was solid, but at around £30 for two courses it feels pricy for what we had. But you’ll need to bear in mind that I didn’t come at this meal impartially when making your own mind up!