The King Edward Restaurant and Pub is located in Ilderton, Ontario. It's just a ten-minute drive (north) from the corner of Fanshawe Park Road and Hyde Park Road.
Proprietors Rich and Deb Hunter deliver on their 'charming' English style pub with excellent food and a wide selection of beers. In this case, English cuisine is not an oxymoron. The Hunter's destroy any notion that English food is bland and lacks imagination.
The King Edward got off to a great start by having a favourite beer on tap. Fuller's London Pride was one of ten interesting offerings. The beer was served at a bit warmer temperature than I prefer but I was happy to defer to the English in this case.
My wife ordered the regular Sunday prime rib special with fresh vegetables, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. The price of $17.95 was reasonable for the quality of the food. The prime rib was about perfect for tenderness and taste. The big difference was the real carrots and potatoes.
Can I pause here to say something about carrots. Few food items lose their quality more than carrots when they are frozen. They are usually tasteless and mushy. However, roasted, fresh carrots are like an entirely different food item. The carrots at the King Edward were fresh that morning and we really appreciated the difference. The meal is not won or lost on the quality of the carrots. In fact, few would order them if given a choice. However, the way the humble carrot is treated is a barometer of how much care is taken in the rest of the offerings.
Before ordering the lamb special I did ask if it was a shank. After being assured that it was not the shank but a loin cut, I felt better. I wasn't disappointed. Lots of meat along with the carrots and real mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. The gravy was a little starchy and I would have preferred some mint sauce with the lamb, but overall the meal was very tasty with generous servings.
I ordered the 3-course meal so I got salad and dessert with the meal. The salad was quickly served and fresh and basic. The soup was another option. Be careful on the dessert when ordering the 3-course meal. The dessert special of the day was pecan pie with ice cream and that's what I had to have. The board listed the dessert special at $4.45. We were charged the full price of that dessert on the upgrade, which was disappointing. The pecan pie soothed any hard feelings as it was delicious.
The King Edward also boasts a separate menu of chicken wings (50 flavours), burgers and fish and chips. There are also dishes from the colonial lands featuring curry and more exotic flavours. In summary, there are plenty of reasons to return and we will.
KING EDWARD RESTAURANT AND PUB
13239 Ilderton Road (Main Street)
Ilderton, Ontario
519-666-1991
www.thekingedward.com
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