Pie Night at The Lansdowne

The UK’s all-powerful pie industry has declared next week to be British Pie Week. Now obviously our county is the spiritual home of the greatest of all pies so no doubt Melton will be closing the schools and putting up the bunting.

Actually in all seriousness I am quite impressed by one response to this PR puffery, and that concerns the Orange Tree group and its bar The Lansdowne on London Road, Leicester. Having made a success of the Smokehouse in it’s O Bar venue by giving one of their chefs the chance to pursue something,  they are showing further initiative by getting their chefs to develop a special pie night as one of a series of food-led evenings.

The Lansdowne

On the menu from 6 to 9pm on Thursday 5 March will be the likes of venison and wild mushroom wellington with port jus (£12.50), ox cheek pithivier (£10.50), smoked fish pie with cheddar mash (£9.50), chicken, chorizo and kidney bean in cornmeal pastry (£9.50) and a couple of vegetarian choices including a vegan mushroom wild rice and porter pie (£8.50). There’s even a lobster pie with seafood broth(£14). Pies are all served with spring greens and mash or chips.

There’s a big kitchen at the Lansdowne, huge compared to The Smokehouse, and it’s good to see they are prepared to explore the potential for developing the food offering there. And more good news, Lansdowne has joined the Great Food Club and members ordering main courses on Monday to Saturday can now get a free glass of wine or bottle of beer – for details see here.