The Greyhound Ashley

This cosy country-style pub with ample outside space to enjoy a sunny pint or two is part of the JW Lees stable, so offers the brewery’s full range of cask ales and lagers, wines and spirits, plus a seasonally updated food menu and what they claim is “the best Sunday roast in Hale”.

Let’s start there, then. There’s rump of British beef, tender slow-roasted turkey breast and chef’s roast of the day, plus the option of a trio of all three meats and a sharing platter to divvy up between two. Vegetarians are catered for with cauliflower cheese, while a garlic- and thyme-roasted butternut squash with Meatless Farm stuffing is vegan. As is tradition, roasts are served with fresh seasonal veg, golden roasties apparently “perfectly fluffy in the middle” and all the trimmings, plus bottomless gravy and homemade Yorkshire pud. Sundays aside, smaller plates include whipped goats cheese crostini, whole baked Camembert with dippy bits, and Stilton baked mushrooms; for less cheesey options, think chicken Caesar salad, salt and pepper squid, or chorizo and butter beans. Pub favourites take in classic fish and chips, the cod fried in a batter made from JW Lees’ golden Manchester Pale Ale, brewed in Manchester entirely from all British malt, and a slice of the brewery’s “legendary” homemade three cheese and onion pie. Other freshly prepared dishes include slow-braised lamb shank on a bed of spring onion champ and grilled pork loin marinated in garlic and herbs and served in a flatbread with houmous, tzatziki, pomegranate, and tomato and red onion salad. From the grill, you can order steaks – sirloin, ribeye, gammon and cauliflower – and, indeed, other meat-free choices include a plant-based burger, vegan “meatball” linguine and red pepper, mixed bean and aubergine chilli with rice and tortilla.

Puds include baked vanilla cheesecake, chocolate and hazelnut brownie, and crème brûlée. There’s also a special set menu offering two or three courses at lunch, when you can also have a look at the selection of sandwiches, including a posh fishfinger number. This is Cheshire.

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