The Stables, Hopesgate

The restaurant critic of the Shropshire Star has entered the maze of lanes west of the Shrewsbury to Bishop's Castle road and happened upon The Stables.

When I first knew this pub it was a little eccentric in its opening hours and if you intended to eat there it was a good idea to ring up to make sure they were doing food that evening. It is now in new hands and, judging by the Star's review, does very good food.

I was last there in July 2008. It was unseasonably cold and I was glad of the open fire.

And hello to Molly, the pub's Irish wolfhound, who gets a mention.