The French Hen Inn
On 1 December 2007 (Saturday), I and two friends went to this French style gastro pub, The French Hen Inn, in Clent, near Stourbridge. Stourbridge is about 1 hour away from Birmingham by bus, but you need a car to be able to arrive at Clent. We wanted to go to anothor gastro pub called The Fountain, but it was already fully booked when I called them during the week.
I forgot to take photo of the exterior, but it is very handsome looking large, traditional pub+inn building. The interior is rustic as well as stylish. Full mark for the décor. As it was in December, the table was decorated in Christmasy manner.
The walls are decorated with these old signages and posters. Some might not like them, and some might, they do give a character to this place.
By the way, this photo was shot near the ladys' toilets that were fitted with carpet. In England, many old houses have their toilet and kitchen fitted with carpet, but I have never seen it in pub or restaurant.
We ordered basically only the main courses, but as something to pick while we were waiting, we had this home made paté to share. The small pot looks like custard is the paté. The cream colour stuff is fat, and the paté is just under this cover. To the left is apple cooked with cinnamon and sultanas. Price was a bit less than £5. It was not bad, but less than what I expected. The paté was too soft, smooth and waterly, and did not have enough flavour of liver that I love.
These are the main courses. The closest is the boef bourguignon, behind it is roasted poak belly with caramerised apple, and left to it is one half of roasted duck with maple syrus sauce.
Price wise, the beef and pork less than £11, and the duck about £14.
These are side dishes; all included in main course.In the centre is the boiled vegetable. There also was a choice of salad, but all of us asked for "vegetable medley". Potato dishes are French fries, boiled new potatoes, and dauphinois potatoes.
Serving of big side dishes is a very good British institution. I love having side veggies when I eat. The quantity, however, could be a bit less. The vegetables were rather dry and not really flavoursome, but all the potatoes were pretty good.
The problem was with the meat dishes. My beef bourgignon was quite good and enjoyable, but the two roasts were not up to the expected standard. The pork belly was rather dry and hard, and above all not enough seasoned. The sauce was not enough to complement the flavourlessness of the meat.
The worst of all was the duck. I would be ashamed if I sell that stuff for £14. Besides it was too dry for over-cooking, the maple-syrus sauce was ... well, maple syrup! Can you imagine eating roast duck dipping in maple syrup? That was exactly what it was. If I have to mark, I would give 80/100 to beef, 60 to the pork, and 30 to the duck.
I proposed the others to order one pudding to share, but they said they were too full, so we ordered 3 coffees. They came with a mint chocolate each, just as in good old balti restaurant.
We did not have drink but water, and the final bill was about £45. It would be very good value, if they did not fail in duck so miserably. It has all the quality of good gastro-pub, except for these roasts. It is a shame.
The French Hen Inn
Bromsgrove Rd, Clent, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 9PY
Tel: 01562 883040
