Rosins Country Pub, Hotel & Restaurant

Thryth

The Rosins isn’t exactly “local” and while it isn’t overly difficult to get to in a car, those travelling from anywhere other than Darwen or Haslingden may well be put off by its apparent isolation. Distance aside, I was relatively impressed on first appearances. The location while isolated is pleasant and the building itself is attractive with its mock Tudor paint job and farmhouse vibe. Inside, the countryside “Pub” is evident but certainly toned down and there is a definite focus on dining, which does explain the apparent lack of real ale drinking “regulars” to give it that “real country pub” feel. To be fair however, It was a Monday evening in January and so the place was fairly empty during our visit and I do imagine that it would be much livelier come the weekend.
The menu isn’t vast, but it is clear and simple and while it does contain some traditional favourites you’d expect from a country pub they have also tried to add a slight fashionable feel to the menu akin to many of the “gastro pubs” around at the moment, Unfortunately however the rosins menu doesn’t really compare on that side of things, the “gastro” element is more a semblance and while you can see that they are at least “trying” to replicate some of Lancashire’s more contemporary establishments, it all just feels a little puerile and like they can’t quite decide on whether they want to be a half decent country pub or to put the effort in and become a real “Gastro” Pub.
I also noted during our visit that considering the location, the rosins has a distinct lack of any sort of regional identity, the menu doesn’t scream “local” or “fresh” let alone “Lancashire”. The Rosins is close to a number of excellent local and regional suppliers of fresh Lancashire produce and yet there is no mention of any of it. You simply have “Chicken Breast” or “Fish” or “Game”. Where is the Goosnargh Chicken? Where is the west coast Fish? Where is the Bowland game? The Rosins could be so much better but they just don’t seem to be able to decide…

Now, Chit-Chat aside on to the more important matters…

For the starters we both decided on the BBQ baby back ribs, they were unusual in that the meat itself was cooked separately to the sauce and I feel also sadly, without marinade.
So while they were “O.K”, they weren’t anything special. The separate pot of BBQ sauce felt “home made” and was tasty although a little too tart.
For the main course I did as I often do when visiting somewhere new and ordered a steak, I had the “sizzling platter of rib-eye” and it arrived as described “Sizzling”. It was a good size, tender and well cooked, My only complaint being their insistence on drowning it in garlic butter and the overlooking of a tomato. The chips, while freezer chips, seemed to be a better quality than the standard ones which made a nice change and I also ordered a side of Onion rings which I was most impressed with, they were huge, crispy and delicious.
My better half ordered the “Smoked Haddock, Prawn and Salmon Pie” and was sadly left feeling disappointed. I would have like to have called it “Fish flavoured mash” as even I struggled to locate much fish in this particular pie!

With drinks our bill came to just under £40, slightly dearer than other local “pub grub” of similar (or in some cases better) quality yet cheaper than the superior “gastro-pubs”
But All things considered, The Rosins didn’t quite feel as good as either overall and while I might give them a second chance in the hope their other “modern” dishes are something different, their simplest dishes which should really have been some of their tastiest, didn’t inspire confidence that they will.
They do say that one man's meat is another man's poison so by all means at least give them a go, you may well enjoy it! For those of you however that are lovers of fine food, I’d probably give it a miss.