The Vane Arms is in Thorpe Thewles in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. It is a classic village local that serves food all day from a menu that aims to elevate a range of pub classics while also offering some new additions. The decor features exposed brick, deep set armchairs and a long wooden bar.
Starters are varied, taking in a wide range of cuisines. Options include confit duck bao buns, honey glazed halloumi fries with jalapeno aioli and pan seared king scallops. There’s also a mezze sharing board, which features a rosemary-studded Camembert, sliced prosciutto, bread and olives. The main event, as the menu calls it, is headlined by the braised pork shoulder. This is served with a sweetcorn puree, roasted corn riblets and a cider reduction. Other standouts include an oven roasted duck breast with potato fondant and a Cointreau jus and chicken supreme with a Tuscan vegetable stew. Nods to the pub setting come via the likes of an individual steak and ale pie, fish and chips, and an 8oz rump steak.
There’s also a vegan menu. This features a Moving Mountains plant-based burger and vegetable-stuffed bao buns. The lunch menu offers a range of lighter meals, sandwiches and wraps, including a club sandwich, rump steak ciabatta and scampi and chips. Breakfast options range from a full English to American pancakes to smashed avocado on toast. Dessert highlights are a Kinder Bueno cheesecake and Biscoff blondie.
For Sunday lunch, you can choose from sirloin of beef, pork loin with crackling and chicken supreme with an apricot stuffing. All roasts are served with goose fat roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pudding and red wine gravy.
The Vane Arms is also open on Christmas Day and operates a special menu during the festive period. This includes a traditional roast turkey breast with all the trimmings and a field mushroom and goat’s cheese wellington.