Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE</h2>



<p>Thatched gastropub <a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/">The White Lion</a> is just out of Leamington on the Southam Road, before you head over to Southam. It&#8217;s run by Peach Pubs – the brains behind The High Field in Edgbaston, The Rose and Crown in Warwick and a host of other awesome local joints, so you know you’re already onto a good thing. It’s a bit of a south Warks institution, with ever-changing specials boards, themed nights, coffee mornings and regular <a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/whats-on-in-leamington-spa/">events</a> from dog walks to jazz brunches. You can pop in daily for lunch or dinner and on Sundays make sure you check out the roast. On a warm day there&#8217;s nothing like enjoying a glass of fizz outside and ordering lots of picky small plates to share. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-63-1000x667.jpg" alt="Interiors the white lion" class="wp-image-57616" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-63-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-63-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-63-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-63.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>It’s always steadily busy here &#8211; which speaks for itself &#8211; and for a Thursday night there&#8217;s a mix of families, couples and friends, and one very cute table celebrating their engagement. It’s a cosy space but divided up into booths and tables overlooking the garden, so you’re not having to listen in on anyone else’s conversations – handy for sneaking a glance at what food they’ve ordered though! Talking of the outdoor space, this is where you need to head on a warm day (or cold to be honest, they have heaters and blankets!) It’s got a chilled vibe with white washed walls, boho décor and low hanging rattan lights inside and out.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-61-1000x667.jpg" alt="outside the white lion" class="wp-image-57613" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-61-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-61-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-61-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-61.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>Head chef Stefan Elliott has a host of experience after spending eight years heading up kitchens in Spain and previously working at The Star and Garter and Bayley Lane in Cov. He’s passionate about great quality ingredients which sees fish and veg brought daily from local markets, meat from Aubrey Allen, and he bases his menus and specials on what&#8217;s in season &#8211; throughout summer it&#8217;s delicious whole native lobster (so get in quick!). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-65-1000x667.jpg" alt="Stefan Elliot " class="wp-image-57617" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-65-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-65-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-65-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-65.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What I&#8217;ve learnt on my visits to The White Lion, is you should listen to the staff. They know the best wines if you let them know your tastes, and always ask for their food recommendations, I&#8217;ve not been let down yet. With that in mind, I had a glass (or two) of the Macabeo, and Mr Muddy went for a Hugo Spritz, which is hands down one of the best we&#8217;ve tried outside the Austrian Alps (of course I had to sample it). </p>



<p>We started the meal with a deli plate of lamb koftas, greek yoghurt, sumac and pomegranate with a lovely spicy kick to the kebabs, cooled with that dip. For starters it was the recommended burratina with slow-roasted tomatoes, basil pesto and croutes, which was so creamy and fresh, I could literally eat one of those every day. Mr Muddy went with the chicken and parma ham terrine, perfect to spread on the crusty ciabatta and top with some crunchy pickles. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-58-1000x667.jpg" alt="burrata the white lion" class="wp-image-57610" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-58-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-58-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-58-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-58.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Onto the main course, which was the absolute stand-out dish of the night for me. The waitress said she couldn&#8217;t speak highly enough about the slow-braised beef short rib &#8211; not something I&#8217;d ever usually order but I went with it. And am I glad I did, a <em>huge</em> rib of beef, sticky and just falling off the bone, served with whipped feta, chimichurri and roast new potatoes. It was an absolute triumph and the envy of the whole dining room. Kudos to Chef Stefan, this man proves yet again he is a master of flavour and skill. Mr Muddy went with a medium-rare steak Diane, traditionally served with a rich mushroom, shallot and cream sauce, perfect for dunking those chunky pub chips into. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-59-1000x667.jpg" alt="rib of beef the white lion" class="wp-image-57611" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-59-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-59-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-59-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-59.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For pud I had the deliciously light lemon mascarpone cheesecake with raspberries and a white chocolate sauce. My chocaholic other half chose the salted caramel and chocolate tart which was rich, decadent and everything you want a choccie dessert to be. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-60-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-60-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-60-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-60-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-60.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG-FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>Super dog-friendly &#8211; they&#8217;re welcome in the bar (where there&#8217;s treats too) and outdoor areas and there’s walks from the pub too, just ask the staff for directions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-67-1000x667.jpg" alt="Berylune Muddy Stilettos" class="wp-image-57619" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-67-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-67-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-67-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-67.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You’re just down the road from well-heeled Leamington Spa which is perfect for a shopping trip and boasts lots of indie stores. Check out Muddy award-winning  <a href="https://www.sanctuaryeleven.com">Sanctuary Eleven</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hendersonhound.co.uk/">Henderson Hound</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.berylune.co.uk/">Berylune</a>. If you fancy a stroll there’s beautifully-landscaped Victorian&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20312/jephson_gardens">Jephson Gardens</a>&nbsp;in the centre with its tropical Glasshouse and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20311/major_parks/504/victoria_park">Victoria Park</a>&nbsp;are great for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20331/countryside/507/riverside_walk">riverside walk</a>&nbsp;or picnic. Just outside is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foundrywood.co.uk/">Foundry Wood</a>, a small community woodland nature spot and a great place for families with outdoor classroom. If you fancy stopping for a drink after dinner Muddy award-winning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theterrace.uk">The Terrace</a> does great cocktails and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theboilerroomleamington.com/">The Boiler Room</a>&nbsp;has some great craft beers and a stellar wine list.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-62-1000x667.jpg" alt="the white lion" class="wp-image-57614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-62-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-62-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-62-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-62.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Families, friends, couples, dog walkers – this place suits all and has a great easy going vibe. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;If you’re looking for a ‘standard pub’ then this isn’t it. Classics are elevated (and delicious) but rustic/old fashioned country pub it isn’t.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:&nbsp;</strong>Starters are between £6.25 and £10.50 while mains come in at £15 for veggie options or about £23 for a steak.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/">The White Lion</a>, 60 Southam Road, Radford Semele, Leamington Spa, CV1 1TE Tel: 01926 885500</em></strong></p>


Review: The White Lion, Radford Semele

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