Name: Metal Bridge Inn

Where: Blackford, north of Carlisle

Website: www.the-metal-bridge-inn-carlisle.co.uk

Tel: 01228 672492

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 2.30pm, 5pm till 9pm, Sunday 11.30am to 8pm.

Owner: Roger Boardman

Chefs: Roger and Lisa Boardman

History: The Metal Bridge Inn is full of history, named after Thomas Telford’s original bridge linking Scotland to England which was built in 1820.
The pub sits on the banks of the River Esk. After buying the Queensberry Arms Hotel in Annan, Roger and Lisa were delighted when they got the opportunity to purchase this landmark establishment in 2013. It had been closed for seven years and, after a lot of work, hopefully Roger and Lisa are putting it back on the map.

Style of food: Modern British

Menu sample: Starters include tangy BBQ ribs ’n’ wings (£4.85); homemade soup of the day with crusty bread and butter (£3.25); cheese nachos served with garlic mayo and salsa (£3.50); tempura battered haggis bites with a sweet chilli dip (£4.50).
Mains include crispy battered haddock (£8.50); breast of duck with a cranberry and orange glaze (£10.95); Mediterranean vegetable lasagne (£8.50); chicken sizzler with Thai sweet chilli (£11.25).
Desserts range from raspberry Eton mess (£3.50); vanilla crème brulee (£3.50); salted caramel ice cream cheesecake with toasted buckwheat (£4.25); sticky toffee pudding (£4.25).
The classic menu has a set price of £8.50 for one course, a main course and dessert for £10.50 and you can add any starter off the a la carte menu for £3.50.
There is also a specials board which could include starters such as melon with plum and damson sorbet, breaded whitebait with lemon and tartare sauce and duck spring rolls with hoisin sauce (all £4.75) and mains such as loin of lamb with red wine and rosemary reduction, goose breast with seasonal vegetables and chicken and pheasant roulade with prunes and walnuts (all for £10.75).

In their own words: “We provide delicious food while you sit watching the River Esk or beside our cosy fire. Our service and atmosphere are relaxed, informal yet very attentive. We also now have a mobile home stop for holiday makers. In the near future, we plan to let out bedrooms and promote our function room.”