Hidden gem packed with great food and character is a real find (From Echo)

Hidden gem packed with great food and character is a real find

11:00pm Thursday 19th August 2010 in

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TUCKED away off Southend High Street lurks a hidden gem of a dining experience, combining homely culinary delights with the atmosphere of a historic smugglers’ den.

The Boy and I chose to sample the underground delights of the Pipe of Port on a bustling Saturday night. We were shown to a cosy cubby in the sawdust-floored restaurant by one of the helpful waitresses.

Our drink orders were swiftly delivered and we were left to peruse the Pipe’s menu and specials list, from which I chose a starter of king prawns with a lime and chilli jam, served on crisp lettuce, and the Boy went for the curried chicken in yogurt.

As I’m not the world’s biggest seafood fan my choice was a brave one, but was rewarded with four enormous and juicy prawns, which actually tasted better without the chilli jam than with it, they were so good.

On the other side of the table, the Boy made short work of his curried chicken. It came in a decent sized portion, but was pretty much a standard Coronation chicken-style dish, tasty nonetheless.

For main courses, I pushed the boat out and opted for the lamb rump, which came with Dauphinoise potatoes and roasted root vegetables, served just right.

The menu stated the lamb was served pink and my squeamishness saw me ask for mine to be done the well-done side of pink.

This could have spoiled everything, but the kitchen did me proud and served me some of the softest, tastiest lamb I’ve ever had, with just the right hint of pink for my liking.

As a firm pie fan, who once received a selection of miniature pies as an anniversary gift, it was no surprise the Boy opted for one of the restaurant’s signature “very large” steak, kidney and mushroom pies, which came with a golden yellow crust and packed with filling.

He also opted for the delicious Dauphinoise potatoes to accompany this, instead of the standard mash, and I know he enjoyed every mouthful as I got little conversation out of him as he saw it all off.

Our friendly waitress persuaded us to find a little room for pudding, and I went for a school-days favourite – sticky toffee pudding.

This proved a yummy end to the evening and lived up to its name, leading us to squabble over who should have the last mouthful.

Topping off our fantastic food was a very enjoyable bottle of house white, plus an introductory bottle of the Belgian beer Kastee Cru for the Boy, which whet his whistle nicely while we chose our food.

Packed with character and with great food and attentive service, the Pipe of Port is a safe haven for any diners looking for quality food at decent prices.

What we ate King prawns with lime and chilli jam £6.25Curried chicken in yoghurt £5.80 Very large steak, kidney and mushroom pie £9.75 Dauphinoise potatoes (extra) £1.00 Lamp rump £15.50 Sticky toffee pudding with ice-cream £5.25 Our verdict (Out of Five) Atmosphere 4 Food 4 Decor 4 Value 4 Service 4