WICKEN S Maid s Head pub is carving out a niche for itself, offering meals to suit all tastes and all budgets. Manager Mark Reeve and his staff are promising diners won t be disappointed with the range of dishes prepared using locally sourced ingredients

WICKEN'S Maid's Head pub is carving out a niche for itself, offering meals to suit all tastes and all budgets.

Manager Mark Reeve and his staff are promising diners won't be disappointed with the range of dishes prepared using locally sourced ingredients on offer in the pub's two restaurants and bar.

The brand new carvery in the upper tier restaurant is proving popular with lunch-time diners, including many business people who have only a limited time to eat but still want good food. On the menu is a daily roast and a number of specials.

On Sundays a three-course lunch costs £13.50 or you can choose two courses for just £11.95. Diners will find the Baron of Beef a treat.

In the lounge restaurant, with its traditional fireplace, diners will find a menu boasting a wide variety of steaks, including rib eye and T-bone, from just £10.95 with all the trimmings.

Grilled salmon on a bed of mashed potato with a champagne, dill, mixed seafood and grape sauce, lamb shank on a bed of bubble and squeak and locally-produced Wicken sausages in a winter casserole are guaranteed to tempt the taste buds.

A range of starters, including avocado with smoked salmon, and home-made desserts can also be found on the pub's menu.

All meals are prepared in the completely refitted kitchen and the restaurants have been recently redecorated.

"We don't want to do exuberant food," said Mark. "We want to provide good food that we do well."

Bar snacks start at just £5 and include home-made cottage pie. There is also a take-away food service offering large battered haddock and chips with mushy peas, home-made pizzas and curries. Morning coffee and fresh scones complete the impressive and varied service offered at the Maid's Head.

Customers will also find an extensive wine list and real ales including IPA, Green King and two guest ales which are rotated.

Entertainment at the pub includes a monthly karaoke and on the last Sunday of the month a quiz takes place with a free buffet and proceeds to local charities.

Customers can enjoy live music every six weeks and on February 2 there will be a charity Race Night.

INFO: The Maid's Head opens from 11am to 3am and 6.30pm to midnight every day. The lounge restaurant stops serving food at 9pm but bar snacks and the take-away service is available until 10pm. Tel: 01353 720727.