The Lion and Lamb in Pennington does classic, crowd-pleasing pub meals exceptionally well. Food Review by Liz Hendrie- September 2025

The Lion and Lamb pub in Pennington has been earning rave online reviews for its food since opening a few months back, so expectations were running high when I visited one Thursday evening.

Landlords Eric Light and Sarah Woodhall transformed the former Musketeer pub, known in the community for its music nights and sports bar credentials, opening in April with a fresh look and a focus on good food.

Before that, Eric ran The Salmon Leap in Totton, which also had a great reputation locally for its food and customer service, again racking up countless five-star ratings on TripAdvisor.

He and Sarah had ambitions to give Pennington a “proper village pub” again, and as soon as I stepped through the doors this was very evident. The place was busy, with people sitting enjoying a drink in anticipation of the live music held at the venue every Thursday evening from 8.30pm.

There were a few dogs languishing under tables beside their owners’ feet, and of course resident dog Honey, a bouncy and exceptionally gorgeous spaniel owned by Eric and Sarah.

With new chef John Daniel at the helm, the pub has recently launched a new autumn menu. It features hearty pub favourites like wholetail scampi, burgers, ploughman’s, liver and onions, and steak and chips.

Contemplating the starters menu with a pink gin and tonic in hand, I was taken with the idea of the homemade apple and bacon doughnut, but being a Scotch egg fan I opted for that instead.

It came wrapped in golden Panko breadcrumbs, which gave added crunch and contrasted nicely with its still-soft centre. Served alongside a sweet Guinness and red onion chutney that balanced the savoury flavours of the dish, and a side salad dotted with vibrant edible flowers that brought lightness, this was a beautifully presented yet deeply satisfying start to the meal.

My friend had chosen chorizo and red pepper arancini with tomato and mascarpone sauce. Creamy risotto rice, an oozy cheese centre, and crispy crumb had great contrasting textures. They were certainly larger than I’ve seen served in other restaurants, but I have since learned that traditional Sicilian arancini are the size of small oranges!

My main was slow-cooked lamb shank in a red wine and mint gravy served with mash and seasonal vegetables. I was immediately struck by how huge the portion was; those who appreciate value for money would not have been disappointed. The meat fell off the bone, had a melt-in-the-mouth tenderness, and was full of rich, gamey flavour, making it the ideal autumn meal as we edge towards colder, darker evenings. It sat on a bed of buttery, herby mash, alongside vegetables that had just the right amount of bite to give the dish texture.

Simple, hearty, and cooked to perfection, this was a truly comforting dish and is sure to satisfy even the biggest appetites. My friend had opted for the venison and bacon pie with mustard mash and seasonal vegetables in gravy. For me a true pie must be shortcrust, and the pastry here was a triumph – light, crisp, and with a creamy flavour that paired wonderfully with the tangy gravy inside. Another satisfying and warming dish, this old-school pie boasted those deeply savoury and rich flavours we all are craving as we embrace the coming season.

We decided to share a dessert, opting for the raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake. Served with fresh fruit and balls of vanilla ice cream, this indulgent dish was the perfect sweet treat. This could have been a cloying dish, but the sweetness was expertly offset with a saltiness from the biscuit base and a hint of sharpness from the fruit and coulis, with the sprigs of mint giving a burst of freshness.

The Lion and Lamb does classic, crowd-pleasing pub meals exceptionally well, combining great food with outstanding customer service by friendly and very attentive staff.

There was a fantastic atmosphere from the moment we arrived at 7pm until the time we left at 11pm. The live music provided a great accompaniment to a leisurely meal, and the friendly, welcoming vibe guaranteed a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable evening out.

With pubs closing at a significant rate and the country slowly losing its sense of community, it was really heartening to see the camaraderie at the Lion and Lamb. This is very much cemented by Eric and Sarah, whose personal connections with their customers are fostering a strong social hub.

After a great night we retired just next door to one of two Airbnb cottages, converted from old stables by Eric and Sarah. With bright interiors and gorgeous, character features, they were cozy and sumptuously comfortable.

For more information about the Lion and Lamb or to book a table or accommodation, visit www.lionandlambpub.com or call 01590 481100.

Read the original article here: https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/review-the-lion-and-lamb-in-pennington-9434991/