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The White Horse

Sharlston Common

a review by Colin Williams in the Autumn 2009 Edition of O-to-K

We continue our quest for gastronomic delights with a visit to the White Horse at Sharlston Common. It's on West Lane between the A638 Wakefield-Doncaster road and the A645 Wakefield-Pontefract road. It's 4 speed humps from the A638 and 6 from the A645. Both main roads have frequent bus services and it's walkable from either. A couple of people had recommended it to me; the person who said "It's very good for what you pay" was certainly talking my language.

A blackboard in the street described it as an "Old Coaching House" and it's certainly an attractive building in a pleasant setting. There's a huge outdoor grassed area with a playground and the sign says "Families Welcome". It still has the feel of the Bass house it once was and a "Stones Best Bitter" mirror reminds drinkers of a once great ale that barely lives on.

 The "Changing Cask Ale" that was on offer was Black Sheep Bitter. One could do a lot worse and the beer I was served was cracking good ale at a fairly reasonable £2.45 a pint. The lounge is a pleasant room although the tables are a touch on the low side. There's another bar and what looked like a small function room with higher tables and conference room chairs.

 There was certainly a good choice of lunchtime fayre. The main menu has a small selection of starters at £3.50, main courses include fish, chips and mushy peas (£7.95), sirloin steak (9.95) and mixed grill (£12.95). A specials board featured dishes such as steak and kidney pie (£5.50), salmon fillet (£7.95) and sea bass fillet (£12.95). One of the accompaniments: "garlic and saffron mash with red wine jus" would really get a gourmet's pulse racing. There's also a decent choice of sandwiches and baguettes.

 On the bar was a small blackboard titled "Piegata". There was a choice of Hot and Spicy Chicken, Bacon and Cheese, Moroccan Lamb and Spicy Bean Burger. The fact that I thought this was a selection of pies shows how well qualified I am to write this column. A piegata is in fact an Italian style bread pocket a bit like a pitta bread but softer and very tasty, as I was about to find out. I chose the Moroccan Lamb version (£4.95) and it came with chips and a presentable salad with coleslaw. If I ever go to Morocco I shall be able to confirm its authenticity but I can assure you that it was a very flavoursome and satisfying dish made with some good meat.

Another blackboard on the bar proposed a small but interesting selection of sweets. There was syrup sponge, banoffee roulade, lemon mousse, chocolate melting cake and Eton Mess, all at a reasonable £2.95. This tempting selection is a clever piece of marketing, designed to tempt diners to partake when they ought not to. I thought I'd remind myself what an Eton Mess was. An indulgent combination of meringue, various berries and cream came in a glass which could almost have held a Knickerbocker Glory. I have only one complaint: my spoon was too large to get right to the bottom!

 This had been a good lunch with the added bonus of superb ale. It was very quiet for a Friday lunchtime but I imagine it gets a lot busier later. Meals are served all day Mon-Sat (12.00-20.30) and Sundays from 12.00-17.00. Enjoy.

 The White Horse, West Lane, Sharlston Common, WF4 1EP. 01924 862327