There’s nothing quite like spending a sunny weekend lunch in a pub garden sipping a glass of Pimms and nibbling on some light bites. The Stag Country Pub in Stoke Poges serves delicious homemade Turkish food, award winning wines, real ales and lagers to cater to all tastes and ages in their traditional yet stylish pub restaurant.
The Stag Country Pub Stoke Poges
Each dish is freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients, and the open grill kitchen fills the air with the delicious aroma of the authentic Turkish menu, as children are free to play in the large fenced garden and adventure playground with plenty of space for parking, families or cosy corners for couples. Seeing as I dined at the weekend I fancied a light and refreshing lunch to go with a few glasses of Pimms whilst soaking up the sun in the garden.
Ordering my food and drink at the modern wood bar, I perched on a pretty striped upholstered stool amongst the cream and duck egg blue entrance area, admiring the ornate and quirky character wallpaper, chrome lighting and traditional country check fabrics. I started my meal with a glass or three of Pimms costing £4.70 each, where I was given a metal table number to take with me outside to the garden for when my food was ready.
I decided to create my vegetarian/vegan meal consisting of three appetisers rather than a single main, and these were the hummus, yaprak sarma and falafel which all arrived together. The hummus is listed as crushed chick peas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic served with a basket of pitta costing £3.99 and it does exactly what it says on the tin. I’m such a fan of hummus and the generous plate dusted with spices and served with warm pitta bread was delicious. It was thick, creamy, nicely textured and ever so moreish, yet incredibly filling at the same time. Chickpeas are an excellent gluten-free source of vegan protein and fiber which are great for a healthy lifestyle.
I then nibbled my way through my Yaprak Sarma which are stuffed vine leaves with rice, mint, parsley, onion and pine kernals on a bed of salad costing £3.99. The vine leaves are served cold and are a dish that I absolutely adore when I holiday in Greece. The leaves are thick and rich which complement the cold al dente rice and refreshingly menthol kick of the mint and parsley. With a squirt of fresh lemon juice over crisp lettuce it tastes out of this world!
Finally I had the falafel which are fried chick peas, parsley, onion, garlic and coriander served on a bed of hummus costing £4.99. The falafels are dense and crunchy on the outside and crumbly and slightly dry inside which makes them perfect for dipping or eating with a side salad. Many moons ago I had these in Amsterdam served in a salad wrap with garlic sauce and couldn’t stop drooling all day. They have the most delicious texture and add a creamy, crunchy, savoury touch to a vegan friendly summer lunch.
My food at The Stag was served extremely quickly, beautifully fresh and uplifting, filling and delicious, with polite waiting staff, a clean and welcoming restaurant and nicely maintained garden. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon with loved ones.
www.thestagcountrypub.com
Facebook: /thestagcountrypubanddining
Twitter: @stagpub
