Whistlers, Pershore.

WELCOME to Whistlers. Welcome to steak heaven. Yes, the steaks are high at this charming restaurant and wine bar which overlooks bustling Broad Street in Pershore.

Opened 10 years ago, Whistlers underwent a significant refurbishment last autumn.

When I visited one Friday evening with my wife, it was evident that the place – tastefully decorated with a poppy theme – and the bar adjoining the main restaurant had a real buzz to it.

The friendly staff showed us to our table and then came the big question for the evening – do I go for something “safe” which I know I’ll enjoy, or do I go for something a bit different which I might not usually plump for?

As it was, the menu offered a perfect compromise solution for the main course. But first there were the starters to choose. I just couldn’t resist the pan-fried mushrooms in a cream and thyme sauce topped with stilton (£5.25). My, they were good.

My wife opted for a plate full of marinated olives. And when I say a plate full, it was filled to capacity with the little beauties. I’m not really an olive person but I tried one and rather enjoyed it.

Then came decision time.

The main course menu offered quite a lot of tempting fish dishes and, after some deliberation, I chose the “surf and turf” of half a lobster and a 4oz fillet steak served with salad and chips (£19.95).

Now, it’s time to confess. I’ve never had a whole lobster before and when the plate arrived with a nutcracker on it, I didn’t really have a clue what to do.

My wife, who is far more sophisticated than me, talked me through the extraction of the lobster meat and the cracking of the claws and although I felt a bit self-conscious, she reassured me that I was doing it with some aplomb.

And never having tasted lobster meat before, I didn’t really have anything to compare this particular one with, but it did taste very nice. As for the fillet steak, that was magnificent. A rare treat indeed.

You see the thing about Whistlers is that they don’t just get their steaks from any old supplier.

Oh no, they use one of the best, in the form of the multi-awardwinning butchers Checketts of Ombersley, near Worcester.

Such is Whistlers’ love of steaks that Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are “Steak Out” nights when meat dominates the menu.

My wife had an 8oz sirloin steak for her main course (£14.95) and she raved about it, too. We found ourselves almost too full to tackle a dessert so we opted to share a portion of banoffee pie (£4.95).

When I say a portion, I don’t really do it justice as it was more like a mini pie in itself. Now, I’ve eaten my fair share of banoffees in my time, particularly at big family celebrations, but this was up there with the very best of them.

All in all, a hugely enjoyable meal at an extremely friendly restaurant where in the summer you can sit out on the balcony and watch the world go by. Perfect.

HOW IT RATED Food: 4
Service: 4
Value for money: 4
Ambience: 5