As you may have heard yesterday, Mike Brown, now he is a bigshot DJ, doesn't have time to get around and check out all manner of pubs and drinking venues for your weekly enjoyment anymore. He can't fit it in between his book signings, Wham playing and 'groupie duties.' So as I happened to mention that I quite fancied a roast dinner after the show, Mike took the opportunity to suggest the very nice Station Hotel In Patrington (Station Hotel, Station Road, Patrington, Tel - 01964630262) and then added "While you're there......" And so here I am.

The pub itself is a very accessible place to get to and is very welcoming inside and out. There appeared to be separate parts for drinkers and diners, but I sat and ate in the 'drinkers' bit so maybe I'm not the best one to comment on that.

Not being much of a drinker, and given that I was driving yesterday anyway I had to seek advice from a couple of the very friendly regulars regarding the merits of the various ales on offer. Hookeys Gold and Tinners were the two that were available, one of the gents who was drinking a cool pint of Tinners was highly complimentry about it, using words like "not to bitter" and "smooth" to describe it in an adjective filled monologue of which Jilly Cooper would have been proud. I won't reproduce it here but suffice to say, he liked it.

As for the food, I had the roast beef which came with a large Yorkshire Pudding and a full compliment of vegetables (carrots, mash, roast potatoes etc) and a healthy amount of gravy and a good healthy dollop (I love that word) of Horseradish on the side - perfect. All for a very reasonable £6.00. There were other courses available, with three or four starters and desserts to pick from but sadly my sparrow like appetite wouldn't allow me to test these, although the soup that a good thumbs up from the couple who were sitting next to me. It also arrived within about 10 minutes of ordering which can't be argued with.

The staff were helpful and friendly, and pleasingly there were plenty of them working so there was never any chance of having to wait around for drinks, food or anything else you may have ordered.

So all in all, the Station Hotel is a very good place to spend a pleasant Sunday afternoon, there was a kids play area and a good mix of families and couples giving the place a very relaxed atmosphere. I for one anticipate spending a few more Sundays there over the next few weeks. Although hopefully next time I won't be scaring the bar staff by looking around and making notes on everything I could see.

Cheers

Dave Rymer (for The Mike Brown Radio Show)