Lincs Pride JAN 222.qxp 24/11/2020 16:39 Page 51
FOOD & DRINK
The Cross Keys at GRASBY It’s the pub restaurant with spectacular views of the Cathedral in the distance and a wonderful team in the kitchen. Offering a warm welcome, creative food and a great atmosphere, enjoy The Cross Keys at Grasby this winter... Words & Images: Rob Davis.
High up on an escarpment between Caistor and Brigg, The south west-facing dining room of the Cross Keys’ has huge views of the Lincolnshire countryside, falling away from the restaurant right down to Lincoln Cathedral which is some 30 miles in the distance, but still clearly visible. During our visit the sunshine was pouring in through the windows, lighting up the whole room, but it wasn’t half as dazzling as what was on my plate, thanks to the skills and creativity of chef patron Steph Barker, Malika Garwell and their kitchen team. 2020 was a pretty rotten year for hospitality generally, but just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Steph’s new puppy decided to trip her up on a dog walk, and during our visit, she was hobbling around with a medical boot strapped to her ankle. Second chef Tom Soulby then emerged from the kitchen with his arm in a sling too; an accident unrelated to work but equally inconvenient for a kitchen team now short of both an arm and a leg!
THE CROSS KEYS HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, FOUNDED ON GOOD FOOD, LOCAL INGREDIENTS AND A REALLY WARM WELCOME...
meet the CHEF STEPH BARKER HEAD CHEF Safe to say the whole team will be glad to be shot of 2020, and yet, despite a rubbish year generally, The Cross Keys has gone from strength to strength. Little surprise, for it’s founded on some pretty fundamental aims; good food with local ingredients and a warm welcome. Sounds to us like a recipe for an enjoyable winter dining experience. Steph was born and raised in Lincoln and moved to Brigg five years ago, taking on The Cross Keys in 2018. The couple have refurbished the dining room which now boasts pretty rural colours, dining chairs in wool plaid and of course those stunning views of the county. Ordinarily The Cross Keys provides just under 40 covers but that’s been cut back temporarily for obvious – if tedious – reasons. Happily though the restaurant allows you to dine in the restaurant, bar, lounge and on the terrace during the warmer months. >>
Food History: Raised in Lincolnshire, worked at Lincoln’s White Hart, Doubletree by Hilton, and The Horse & Groom before opening The Cross Keys. Food Wisdom: “I think the best thing a chef can do in this part of the world is to ‘keep it Lincolnshire... we’ve great ingredients right here on our doorstep!” Food Heaven: “I like my food to have great texture. Flavour wise I love local game.” Food Hell: “Dishes that have been rushed.” n
