Review of new Oldham restaurant The Oak Bar & Grill

Walking up to the Failsworth establishment it still looked like a run-down old man's pub but once you make it through the doors it is nothing of the sort. 

The Royal Oak has been converted into The Oak Bar & Grill (Image: Google Street View)

Inside, a chic interior with deep blue walls and a bar to match makes an impressive entrance.

Light bulbs hang from the ceiling give an industrial look but when paired with stylish furnishings, it creates a warm, homely ambiance.

Upon entering, we were greeted and shown to our table by a smiling young lady - who brought a pint of Seville's finest Cruzcampo for myself, and a coke for my designated driver (and girlfriend!).

The Oak Bar & Grill, Oldham Road (Image: Newsquest)

We arrived for 2pm and so we enjoyed the daytime menu, for starters ordering black pudding bon bons, and salt and pepper chicken wings.

After just 15 minutes it arrived, three crisp balls sat in a peppercorn sauce with pickled onions on top - it was this course that made me want to visit the former alehouse in the first place.

Two black pudding bon bons remained for the picture from the original three delivered (Image: Newsquest)

Getting ahead of myself, I devoured the first bon bon before taking a picture.

It was crunchy and the black pudding tasted rich but not overpowering, with it being complimented excellently by the sauce and onions.

The salt and pepper wings, meanwhile, were much saucier, hotter, and overall better than the ones that I would usually pick up at my local Chinese takeout.

Salt and pepper chicken wings were emptier than when they delivered after we picked at them before taking a picture (Image: Newsquest)

After 20 minutes we had finished our entrees, which were so good that my driver joked "Is it okay to lick the plate?", and were waiting for our mains with a second round of drinks.

It was at this point a lady from the table next to us complimented the staff and told landlady Annette Nokes that "We needed something like this in Failsworth" - a sentiment which the 52-year-old agreed with.

For mains we ordered the pie of the day - cheese and red onion, served with thick-cut chips, tenderstem broccoli and melted cheese to dip, and a well-done steak sandwich, with fried spring onions and onion gravy also to dip, with a side of truffle parmesan fries.

Cheese and red onion pie, accompanied with thick cut chips, tenderstem broccoli and melted cheese to dip (Image: Newsquest)

Besides the fact that the steak was butchered by how my driver wanted it cooked, it was to die for.

When we saw the sandwiches delivered to the table beside us, we thought for sure the bread was too thick - but we were wrong, very wrong.

The huge slices of fresh sourdough bread cushioned the meat perfectly, and when dipped in gravy, melted in our mouths, while the truffle parmesan fries - I don't have the words to describe how good they were, just believe me when I say they should be top of your 'to try' list.

Cheese and red onion pie, accompanied with thick cut chips, tenderstem broccoli and melted cheese to dip (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, the expertly made pie was a lesson in pastry excellence - although the portion size was huge.

Dipped in the melted cheese it won't have done any favours for my cholesterol - but it was well worth it.

With the bill coming to £56 - including a 12.5 per cent tip, I think it's extremely well-priced for food that is a cut above the average pub grub.

If you want to try this slice of heaven, make sure to plan ahead as they are, and have been, booked out from 5pm each day.

• The Oak Bar & Grill is at 496 Oldham Road, Failsworth, M35 0EH