Monday, May 22, 2006

Freemasons Arms Wiswell














*Warning* - The following review took place in 2006 before the revamp in 2009. There are new owners now, the whole place has been utterly re-done with a completely different layout. In short, it bears no resemblence to the following...

Well, it began promisingly enough. We happened upon the Freemasons Arms tucked down a small lane in the village of Wiswell (near Clitheroe & Whalley) and thought we'd found a hidden gem. Very traditional-looking, but with decent beer on tap, an excellent wine list, and a menu that echoed the Three Fishes use of local ingredients. At this particular time, a drink was enough for us. Realising it was Mother's Day and that there may be a sudden influx of mums, we sat at the bar, leaving tables free.

The first drink was fine, but once it was established that we weren't having lunch, we were completely ignored. I sat for a while with a empty glass trying to catch the barwoman's attention, but she seemed to have a never-ending succession of small tasks to get involved with. We watched as new customers went up and ordered, & so I stood up with my empty pint glass, then waited even longer. The cook came out and muttered something to the barwoman, but it didn't look as though he was on our side either. Finally it got so obvious that we weren't getting anywhere that we walked out, never to return.

One of my pet peeves are pubs that see those who just pop in for a drink as 2nd class citizens. Surely these people are the same ones who eat in pubs? Don't they understand that if treated well, they are more than likely to return for a meal in the future?
Anyway, it's a real shame no future meals nor ales for us at the Freemason's Arms.....