The Parsons Nose

Formerly named after its original owner, The Marquis of Downshire, this charming 18th century pub is now a sister establishment to that great dining pub, Balloo House in Killinchy (GCGuides 2009 Pub of the Year).

Following an extensive refurb, it re-opened as The Parson’s Nose late in 2009 – perfectly answering the seasonal demand for cosy venues, offering oodles of character as well as good food and drink, it went down a storm from day one.

As anyone familiar with Hillsborough will know, the setting is idyllic and this, together with the Balloo connection – which includes the formidable reputation of chef Danny ‘Great British Menu’ Millar – makes for a promising outing.

The outside is in pleasingly plain 18th century style, with the front door leading straight into a welcoming bar with a real coal fire burning in the grate – and a good choice of draft and local beers on offer. Beyond, the higgledy-piggledy nature of the building is immediately obvious, and chances are you’ll be won over before you so much as set foot on the stairs leading up to the restaurant - a nest of rooms with another open fire, this time cleverly straddling two of the dining rooms.

The feeling is old world with a modern twist – height and a simple tall wall rack for wines in the main dining room offset what could be a cluttered feeling in the small rooms, and the darkwood tables are set up simply with black rubber placemats and white linen napkins – and pleasant staff are quick to present menus and take drinks orders.

Food is served every day, from 12 noon – a fact reflected in a well-constructed, single page (plus daily specials), seasonal menu that offers plenty of choice for varying times and occasions, and is deliciously sprinkled with descriptions that give meaning to the dishes.

‘Honest Food & Ales’ is the mantra, and it shows: prawns (langoustines), crab, scallops and mussels come from nearby Strangford Lough, haddock come in to Portavogie and oysters are from down the coast at Dundrum Bay, while salmon is from the famous organic salmon farm off the Antrim coast at Glenarm.

Very good soups may include a deliciously pale and creamy smoked haddock chowder with bacon & scallion, for example (served with moreish  breads, including a gorgeous Guinness wheaten bread), and more fresh seafood will probably feature among the daily specials.

Local meats and poultry are another highlight - rare traditional breed Dexter beef and Lissara Farm free range duck (both 2009 winners at London’s Great Taste Awards) feature strongly, and followers of chef Danny Millar on the ‘Great British Menu’ might be interested to try a signature dish of beef shin, oyster & stout pie.

On the other hand, especially if you’ve noticed the farm signed at Downpatrick en route, it may hard to resist a dish of meltingly tender haunch of Finnebrogue venison, slow cooked in red wine and served with a celeriac mash and wild mushrooms.

And side dishes, so often the Cinderella of a meal out, match the menu well and include less usual seasonal dishes such as braised red cabbage with apple, or buttermilk onion rings, offered alongside winners like Parson’s triple cooked chips, and champ – which, here, has relevance as well as popularity.

But don’t be too greedy, as it’s worth saving space for delicious desserts like buttermilk pannacotta with rhubarb compôte and vanilla shortbread, or Madagascar vanilla bean rice pudding with berry compôte – followed by good coffee. 

Prices are fair for the high standard offered and friendly service from well-informed staff adds to the enjoyment of a meal, but allow plenty of time as the pace could be leisurely.

With another excellent dining pub, (The Plough, also a previous GCGuides Pub of the Year) only up the road, visitors to this pretty village are indeed blessed – and competition is always good for business.