The Masham, Hartburn, Stockton

Aug 30 2009 by Eddy Eats, Sunday Sun

Character: 5
Quality: 5
Service: 4
Value: 4

Ratings: 18/20

EVERY now and again Mrs Eats and I stumble upon a Sunday scran joint that we would really rather keep to ourselves.

Sometimes we visit somewhere that’s so quaint and pretty that it almost seems a shame to broadcast the location to scores of loyal scran readers.

But with my usual spirit of generosity I am going to reveal our little hidden gem, as long as anyone who does happen to visit leaves a pint behind the bar for me.

The Masham is nestled in a tree-lined street in the chocolate box village of Hartburn in Stockton, Teesside.

We’d visited once before to sample one of the pub’s legendary ‘Parmos’ – a Middlesbrough speciality – and vowed to return to give the Sunday lunch a whirl. We weren’t disappointed. We trundled up to the pub in the trusty Eatsmobile, but it seemed a shame to spoil the pretty picture by parking it out front.

In fact Mrs Eats decided it’d be best if we parked at the top of the street and worked up a bit of an appetite by walking down to the pub while taking in the scenery and grabbing some fresh air.

Panic ensued when we reached the pub and discovered that every table had been reserved. But the friendly staff did their best to fit us in, saying we couldn’t have a table until 2pm. Perfect. After taking a wooden spoon to our table – which determines your table number for the waiting staff – we ordered our first round.

I enjoyed an ice-cold Stella while she-who-must-be-fed opted for a half of lemonade, having had one too many glasses of white wine the night before.