Subject: Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite Author: Cecilia Campbell Date: 11/3/2010 Body: RATING Total 18 Great atmosphere 4 Home cooked fresh food 4 Plenty of flavour 3 Good value for money 4 Service with a smile 3 Telephone: 017687-76234 www.the-pheasant.co.uk Most recent review: Oct 31, 2010, for lunch This pub has a more-than-usually interesting menu, and the food is well prepared. Martin had fish and chips, cooked perfectly, with lovely home made tartar sauce and crushed peas. I had Galloway sirloin with bearnaise. The steak was a bit tough, which was disappointing – at lunch time the kitchen will only cook it "medium rare" I was told, although this is not what I got, it was just about still pink in the middle; overcooked in my opinion. The bearnaise sauce was home made, ok, but a bit heavy on the vinegar. Luke had sausage and mash, which at £6.95 was over-priced. Generally, the prices are high (fish and chips was £12.95). Original review: July 1, 2006, for lunch This pub is sign-posted from the A66, as you drive from Keswick towards Cockermouth, and just as you turn away from Bassentwaite Lake. It's situated in a lovely wooded area, with a river running by the garden. It was quite cold when we visited, otherwise we would have had our lunch in the beautiful garden. As it was, we were inside in the very genuine and old-fashioned pub. There are also a couple of other lounges where you can take your food – overall a welcoming and inviting place to go. The lunch menu is more basic than the dinner menu (the restaurant has one AA rosette), but full of tasty stuff. Martin had warmed smoked trout with potato salad, which he really enjoyed –  a great combination; why don't more pubs serve smoked fish I wonder, it's simple yet delicious. I had deep fried goats cheese on a salad, which was nice, however the cheese was not quite strong enough for my taste –  it didn't contrast enough with the salad and dressing. Overall, a pleasant experience, with the surroundings and premises very much adding to it. By Cecilia Campbell   Cancel