The Victoria, Lower Weston, Bath

Previously The New Westhall Inn, pretty much as described by Blackthorn inside. Outside at the front is a covered terrace, but as it’s next to the road it’s not an attractive place to sit, and on this occasion was occupied by one solitary smoker. The staff were friendly and competent, but there weren’t enough of them on when a large party of elderly gentlemen, pre-booked, arrived all at the same time, all wanting drinks, meaning a long wait for normal customers. Ales on were Butcombe Original, in good condition, and Otter Bright, which was perfect. The ale quality is its strongest point, but I don’t feel inclined to rush back too often.

A fairly non-descript looking pub on the main road in to Bath that has clearly been extended at some point, it now bills itself as a “Bar & Kitchen” immediately suggesting that the food here has at least as much focus as the drinks. First impressions are that it’s all quite contemporary with much glazing around the entrance way, including a glass wall looking through in to the front bar. Internally it’s divided in to three rooms, with the left hand two being more geared up for food with the right hand one containing the bar counter. This had pale wood strip on the floor, pale grey wood panelling on the lower part of the walls, and either cream plasterwork or exposed brickwork up above. Grey butcher’s tiles were behind the bar counter along with some rather industrial style racking. An open kitchen was at the rear, and there were also a couple of TV screens, one showing a sports match and one turned off. The smaller room to the left was broadly similar in style with some distressed wooden planks on the wall, whilst the larger rear room was a little more elegant perhaps with stripy carpet on the floor, a large gilded mirror and full height grey wood panelling along one side, although in contrast the other side had wallpaper printed with beer bottle tops. A number of illuminated twigs were dotted around. The menu offered a decent enough selection of “pub grub” dishes with options such as a vegetarian curry, ham egg & chips, mac ‘n’ cheese, liver and bacon, a couple of burgers and so on, with most of the main courses being somewhere around the £12 - £14 mark. My Chicken & Chorizo Pappardelle with a garlic and white wine sauce was a pretty decent dish, although perhaps a little expensive at £13.75. Beers on tap were Prescott Hill Climb, Butcombe and Doom Bar, whilst a fourth pump appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Mallet’s. Overall, a decent enough pub with friendly young staff, but perhaps a little too contemporary and food focused to make it a real must visit.