The Guardian - 28th May 2008
OUT TO LUNCH WITH MY BEST FRIEND
The most annoying phrase on earth, as far as I am concerned, is "health and safety". This is what gastropub staff say when they're explaining why you can't bring your dog in with you. In truth, though, there is no such legislation against dogs where food is served - it is at the establishment discretion. IF they don't take dogs, it's because they don't want to, and they ought to have the courage of their misguided convictions to say so.
In any case, if you want to have an enjoyable pint with your best friend (mine goes by the name of Spot) he needs to be allowed indoors too. Here are some of our favourite food and drink establishments.
Three Fishes, Mitton Road, Great Mitton, Lancashire
This 16th century pub has become one of the country's stand-out places to eat, thanks to its
very good regional cooking. The emphasis is on traditional Lancastrian dishes with a modern
twist, with all ingredients carefully sourced from small local suppliers.
Eat Out, Best of the Best Pub - Top 100 Pubs
THE WAIT IS OVER
IT'S HERE! AFTER MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND BUILD-UP, EAT OUT HAS ARRIVED AT THE ULTIMATE LIST OF THE COUNTRY'S BEST PUBS, USING THE FULL RANGE OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL RECOGNISED GUIDES, LISTINGS AND AWARDS.
12 – Three Fishes
There’s a real touch of the North about the menu inspired by Nigel Haworth of the nearby Northcote Manor, an associate business. On the menu are North Sea Co Fishcakes, Warm Morecambe Bay Shrimps; Winnie Swarbrick’s Cornfed Goosnargh Chicken Liver Pate; and Heather-Reared Bowland Lamb Lancashire Hotpot. The pub has won a Catey; Publican Pub of the Year, and CAMRA Kid’s Food Awards.
BBC - Olive - November 2008
9 GREAT VALUE GASTROPUBS
Chef Nigel Haworth is a legend in these parts. He has Michelin-starred gaff Northcote Manor at Langho, near Blackburn, and is well-respected for his championing of local produce, backing the farmers who work around him and singing the praises of regionality.
The Three Fishes is a big, solid-looking building beside the road with a sprawling network of rooms, a handsome bar and acres of wood and flagstones. The only drawback to the place is its size, which mitigates against cosiness. Get there early and grab a table near one of the fires. As for the dishes, you want to eat everything chips cooked in dripping, local mutton with red cabbage, Andrew Ireland's black pudding with onion relish or the 'Length of Lancashire' cheese board (that's 10 local cheeses of different ages). The Lancashire hotpot - a must - is made with heather-reared Bowland lamb at The Three Fishes, but with Cumbrian fell-bred lamb at its sister pub, The Highwayman.
Starters around £1.95-£7, mains around £9-£17, puddings £3.50-£5.
Mitton Road, Mitton, Near Whalley
Lancashire (01254 826888), www.thethreefishes.com)
AA HOSPITALITY AWARDS 2007-2008
THE THREE FISHES IN MITTON NAMED WINNER OF AA REGIONAL FOOD AWARD
The Three Fishes in Mitton, Lancashire, received nationwide recognition last night when it was named winner of the Regional Food Award, sponsored by Food from Britain, at the AA Hospitality Awards. The glittering evening ceremony was hosted by GMTV presenter, Jenni Falconer, at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane in London. Click here for full details
GOOD FOOD GUIDE
THE THREE FISHES ENTRY
Three years in, the Three Fishes in peaceful Mitton has worn in and warmed up very nicely, and its even more popular than ever. Sunday lunch is an institution, hence the rammed car park, and queues at the bar. Don’t expect the rest of the week to be much quieter; the old whitewashed inn is always alive with customers piled around the wooden tables by the fires – reservations are for eight or more only. The array of starters, sandwiches and platters, plus regional classics like Lancashire hotpot and cheese and onion pie, tells of a relationship with the farmer, not the freezer. The regular menu is packed with local goodies like Morecambe Bay Shrimps and Goosnargh chicken and often there are seasonal specials, maybe Formby asparagus or Westmoreland damsons. Reports praise owner Nigel Haworth and chef Richard Upton’s resurrection of ‘largely ignored traditional British delicacies’, like mutton, offal and pigs’ trotters ‘presented in a totally modern way’. The interesting wine list, from £12.50, is not your typical pub list, hitting £50 at the top end, so it’s a shame more aren’t offered by the glass.
MICHELIN PUB GUIDE
THE THREE FISHES ENTRY
Pies and hotpots, platters of tongue and brisket, black pudding and potted shrimps – a look at the Three Fishes menu is the stuff of northern dreams. It’s rare to find cuisine so thoroughly rooted in a region, but the richly savoury and heartening Lancastrian recipes are given pride of place here, prepared in a kitchen which is stocked by a host of hand-picked suppliers, and served in a very spacious, modern pub. There is a special menu for children but the dairy specials are for all. Find a table then order at the bar – this is such beer-friendly food that its worth trying a north-western cask ale to go with it. This updated and professionally run pub has come a long way since it served passengers from the Ribble ferry, but its change of track has been a definite success, so be warned: it gets very busy.
