Sunday lunch at The Tap & Run
The Tap and Run is the latest venture from the Cat & Wickets Pub Company, owned by Dan Cramp and England cricketers, Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney.
Aptly named, the venue itself offers a cosy, home from home atmosphere, something you’d come to expect from a country pub who offers Sunday lunches, but with the addition of the cricket theme which subtly runs through the décor.
Having visited the venue a few years back before it was taken over and refurbished (and very well I may add), I can say the results are a one hundred percent improvement, given the location which is beautiful in the heart of Upper Broughton, offering a taste of village life, but conveniently located on a main road in Upper Broughton, Melton Mowbray connecting Nottingham and Leicester.
There is a fairly large carpark, which was overflowing when we arrived- a good sign of any venue. The exterior looked inviting and the outdoor terrace adjacent to the entrance was enchanting with its fairy lights and rattan furniture.
We were greeted with a friendly welcome and shown to our table- by the window, the atmosphere was buzzing with lots of families and groups enjoying their Sunday roasts.
After a glance at the menu we knew what we came for and ordered two Sunday roasts, one vegetarian and one beef. (there was a choice of beef, chicken or pork).
Starters were also an option, which included soup, mushroom stroganoff and tempura prawns, however we decided to be sensible and stick with two courses to include a dessert instead.
My vegetarian Sunday lunch was attractive on the plate and included a generous sized butternut squash wellington in a roasted shallot sauce, with the remaining three quarters of my plate an array of colourful veg, with the longest parsnips and carrots I’ve ever seen!
The roasties were cooked crispy and they also generously included mashed potato-something you don’t often see alongside roast potatoes- its usually one or t’uther.
I was pleased to see a good selection of greens on my plate including broccoli, green beans, cabbage and the on-trend kale, entirely justifying my sticky toffee pudding to follow.
The slow roast beef rump arrived with the same loaded vegetables as well as a huge Yorkshire pud, lashings of gravy and a side order of ‘Pot of pigs’ (basically pigs in blankets) – I went for a side of order of cauliflower cheese which was delicious.
The sticky toffee pudding and ice cream (vanilla) both looked and tasted delightful and was just the right size to share between two, so as not to tip us over the edge; though a contented Sunday afternoon was still had- well it would be rude not to.
Tap & Run has to be one for your list to visit, in particular if you are local, offering a well priced, good quality Sunday lunch in a cosy atmosphere with great service and I will most certainly be returning.
The Sleepy Vegetarian