Situated right on the main street of Cranleigh, but set back from the main road, The Richard Onslow has tables outside and is packed with locals enjoying a post-work drink or stopping off while walking their dogs.
There is a very attractive courtyard at the back of the pub and inside has a number of cosy nooks and crannies, as well as a large restaurant.
Our dinner was in the main restaurant, which was quite cavernous, but careful interior design had created more intimate sections. I started with a G&T (from local distillery Silent Pool as recommended by Grace, (the deputy manager). There is a good range of alcohol free beers, cocktails and juices, but on this occasion my husband chose sparkling water to accompany his dinner.
Chloe, our server, brought us the blackboard with the day’s specials. I chose Tempura Prawns with Oriental salad and Vietnamese dip and my husband opted for the Roasted Red Pepper Soup with basil oil. They were both excellent and a good indication of more good food to come. My prawns were a good size, piping hot and the tempura batter was feather-light. The salad balanced it beautifully, and the dipping sauce perfectly complemented both components.
The portion of soup was very generous: it was served with lightly toasted sourdough and would make a lunch on its own. The fact that the peppers had been roasted added depth to the soup, and basil oil was an interesting, but very tasty, addition.
Belly pork is something that I love, but my husband doesn’t, so it’s something that I order when out. So often it’s a great disappointment, being fatty and oily and just not that pleasant, but I’m so glad I chose it at The Richard Onslow.
Jimmy Butler’s BBQ glazed pork belly with Summer slow and fries was superb. Served with a sliver of crackling that was so beautifully crisp and surprisingly un-oily, the pork itself was packed with flavour and had been cooked to perfection.
All the fat had been carefully cooked out and the Summer slow paired with it beautifully. For some reason it was served with a small dish of sour cream, which I felt was unnecessary. The BBQ element was gentle, but tasty and I was in porcine heaven.
The Fish Pie – King Prawn, Hake, Loch Trout and Smoked Haddock with Butter Leaf Salad that my husband chose didn’t disappoint either. He declared it to be probably the best he’d eaten and I wasn’t allowed to taste it. (always, for him, a testament to deliciousness)
While there are a number of side dishes on the menu, one of the nice things about the menu is that the main courses are all served with appropriate accompaniments.
Needless to say, I was feeling pretty replete, but one of the things on the menu that caught my eye is the fact that with the cheese option, you can choose all five of the British cheeses with chutney, apple and Peter’s Yard crackers or just select three, or as I did, just a smidgen of just one of them – Baron Bigod.
It was served at perfect temperature and together with a small glass of tempranillo, suited me perfectly. Having noted someone at another table raving about the Summer Pudding, Blueberry Compote and Vanilla Ice Cream, my husband chose that, and I only managed to get a photo of it once he’d tucked straight in.
The Richard Onslow is famed for its roasts and Sunday Set menu which offers two courses for £25 or three for £31. It includes a wide range of options, including starters, roasts and puddings, as well as a good few interesting veggie choices.
It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the Cranleigh vicinity. It also has rooms, so will make a fabulous base for a weekend exploring the area.
Address: 113-117 High St, Cranleigh GU6 8AU
Phone: 01483 274922