Lairhillock Inn: Netherley

FOR me, the Lairhillock is like an old friend you don’t see all the time but catch up with occasionally.

They’re easy company and always leave you thinking you should visit more regularly.

And that was especially the case after Mrs B and I took the winding Netherley road out to this classic country pub on a beautiful spring night.

The waitress couldn’t have been more smiley as we settled into the airy conservatory and kicked off proceedings by sharing a chicken liver and bacon parfait (£5.65). This was heaven on a plate, with a big, creamy hit followed by a flood of bacony flavour.

It was sublime on warm chunky bread with a slathering of chilli and onion marmalade.

Mrs B kept up the chilli theme with her cajun burger (£10.95) – a doorstop of a thing that was meaty, juicy and tongue-tingling, with the finest of chips.

I had struggled to choose between the steak and bacon pie or the chicken supreme with haggis and whisky sauce, both on the specials board.

The chicken (£11.25) won out. On the bone, it was moist and packed with flavour, complemented by the rich haggis and subtle sauce.

As we headed home Mrs B and I both thought the same: “We should do this more often.”