The Red Lion at Hellidon

I chose this lovely pub restaurant to celebrate my 70th birthday. Everything was SUPERB! The calf's liver and bacon, and also the chef's cheesecake were outstanding. Service was charming and with a smile. The "happy birthday" plate and candle was a very nice touch! Thank you team. HIGHLY recommended.

Spent a weekend in Badby and this placed looked perfect for dinner one night. I don't usually write reviews but the food was so dissappointing that I felt I had to. Shared the "duck balls" for a starter. This was simply shredded duck formed into two balls with some hoi sin sauce and a sprig of watercress. The duck was poorly seasoned and the dish was just dull...no texture or imagination in flavour or presentation. Off to a bad start. Then, my partner had steak and mushroom pie which, to be fair, was pretty good. Lovely pastry, good amount of steak and nicely seasoned. I had the slow cooked shoulder of lamb...which was awful. The lamb had been shredded and formed into fat disk of meat which, although looked moist, left my pallet dry and unfulfilled. This was served with boulangere potatoes which tasted greasy. Dessert...cheesecake was ok but tasted like a packet mix had been used. My partner had the rhubarb eton mess. This was basically a few chunks of fruit in a bowl of custard and smashed meringue thrown on top. It had an aroma of onion or garlic so it was sent back and removed from the bill. The pub is lovely and website gives an impression of high quality food. Not sure if the kitchen just had a bad night (head chef was away doing catering elsewhere) or if the standards are variable. I hope if you eat here that you are served better food than we were.

This is our second visit here, yet again we were not disappointed. Staff, rooms and food all great. Lovely garden area to the front and back to catch the sunshine. Very peaceful. We will visit again.