It's easy to find, just off the Black Country Route at Black Lake in West Bromwich, next to the Premier Inn. The Ridgacre is part of the Table Table chain run by Whitbread.
We rolled up at about 7pm on a Saturday, prime eating-out-with-the-family time and found a space in the big, but almost full, car park. So it was immediately clear that the restaurant, a large, neatly-presented, building, was going to be busy. And that can often mean long waits and less than attentive service, which when there are children involved can be far from ideal for everyone.
As soon as we entered we were met by a greeter who cheerfully found our reservation on the list and led us through the bustling restaurant to our table. The décor was smart without being overly formal, with gentle lighting, a variety of seating and different areas, suitable for parties of varying sizes. We were given a table by a window with views across the beer garden, which at this time of year was unsurprisingly pretty much deserted. We were introduced to our smiling server, Lewis, who gave us time to get our coats off and settle ourselves at the table before asking us for our drinks order.
Our drinks arrived quickly, and we were told we could have free refills on the soft drinks, always a bonus with small ones in tow. We were than left to look through the menu which was bursting with traditional pub grub like steak and ale pie, sausage and mash and lasagne, options off the grill, including lamb rump and gammon steak, a variety of fish dishes, burgers and salads.
We decided to go for a starter and as the selection on offer was all just too tempting we opted for the sharing platter, for £8.49, with breaded mushrooms, chicken strips, potato wedges, calamari, onion rings, and dough balls, so we could all dip in.
The place was really busy with pretty much all the tables filled with a mix of couples and family groups with young and older children. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and within 10 minutes our starter arrived and proved just perfect for us all. After devouring the enormous platter we were eager to get on with our mains, each priced between £7.50 and £10, and again we were not disappointed as they appeared piping hot within minutes of our starter being cleared away.
Both my children opted for 8oz burgers, one with cheese the other with cheese and bacon along with fries, burger relish and a bun. Both were deemed to be 'absolutely lovely' and wolfed down while my husband tucked into a half roast chicken with a piri piri glaze, fries and coleslaw. Having cleared his plate he offered to help me out with my chicken goujons and smoky maple barbecue ribs combo but there was no need as I had already finished.
As a family who enjoy their food we weren't daunted by the prospect of a dessert, at £3.99, with our daughter going for an old fashioned-style chocolate berry sundae while our son had a slice of gooey chocolate fudge sensation cake. In a moment of relative restraint my husband and I decided to share and after some debate involving a sponge pudding and a blackberry and apple turnover, we settled on a scrummy rhubarb and ginger crumble, topped with custard. And to round it all off we had a couple of coffees.
Simply put, yes. The menu offers a good choice, with hearty portions, and everything we had was nicely presented and really tasty. The service too was just as it should be, attentive but inobtrusive. It was straightforward fare in a friendly atmosphere.
This one-time favoured weekend retreat for royalty is now frequented by happy diners, writes our undercover meal reviewer The Insider.
There are some great plates in the car park and on the tables, writes our undercover food reviewer The Insider, as The Masons' reputation is set in stone.
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