Food review: Fixed price Sheffield pub deal is real midweek treat

A fussy teenager, a meat-loving penny pincher and a woman on a no-carb diet walk into a pub...
Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. Head chef Graeme Bellamy and genreal manager Mat Hemsley. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. Head chef Graeme Bellamy and genreal manager Mat Hemsley. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. Head chef Graeme Bellamy and genreal manager Mat Hemsley. Picture: Chris Etchells

No, it’s not a joke you will have heard before, but it was our predicament when we headed out for dinner last Wednesday.

It seems a tall order for anywhere to meet those requirements, but the Prince of Wales at the top of Ecclesall Road South managed it.

Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. The fish cakes dish. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. The fish cakes dish. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. The fish cakes dish. Picture: Chris Etchells
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A new ‘treat menu’ for midweek dining was launched at the large, stylish pub in March and allows guests to have two courses, plus a bottle of wine to share or a drink, for £22 each.

The dishes are on the main menu, too, so its not the case of having smaller or lesser meals.

A starter of scallops (£3 extra, but I can’t resist scallops) had large shellfish presented on a bed of Hollandaise with scattered flowers on the plate.

The scallops were perfectly cooked, juicy and firm with evidence of their time in the pan from the ever-so-slightly caramelised tops. Small black pudding fritters served alongside needed more of a gutsy flavour from the meat to truly contrast though.

Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. The scallops dish. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. The scallops dish. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. The scallops dish. Picture: Chris Etchells
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It’s hard to find a fishcake that isn’t just a mush of potato inside, but my main course had plenty of large chunks of lobster and crab, while tiny slivers of onion and lots of seasoning provided flavour. Tender spears of asparagus, crispy seaweed and a fresh, vivid pea veloute gave the dish a lovely spring-like appeal.

He’d gone for a main and a dessert instead of a starter.

The ‘carne’ pizza was huge, with crispy, medium-width dough.

Good quality meats - including chorizo, pepperoni, spicy n’duja and chicken - were heaped high as was the gooey melted cheese.

Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Prince of Wales on Ecclesall Road South. Picture: Chris Etchells

The teenager had gone for a British beef burger (again) from the menu, despite tempations such as buttermilk fried chicken and roasted pork belly. She ate it all, which is about the highest praise you can expect from a 13-year-old who likes to subsist on crumpets.

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We all shared his dessert, a zingy, creamy wedge of lemon cheesecake with ice cream. Our bottle of Rioja was decent, and we’d definitely go back for another night off the washing up on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Service from our waitress Elaine was fantastic, and on Saturdays the pub, a Premium Country Pub chain, also does bottomless prosecco dining offers.

With the third main course and soft drinks we paid £69.80 in total.

The Prince of Wales, 95 Ecclesall Road South

Tel: 0114 236 9176