The Dog Inn, Lichfield

Substantial village inn (owned by Star as shown on the till screens), with an elongated, partly opened-out main bar featuring a pool table nearer the entrance and the main seating area beyond. Quite plain externally, but the interior has been heavily refurbished in an unexpectedly light semi-modern style. Small patio area by the entrance. Landlord, Tribute (£4.60) and Proper Job available from three of the six handpumps.

The modern signage and the external colour scheme gives the stong impression of a chain pub ,but on investigation this is clearly not the case.The food is the main draw ,and there is a short seasonal menu of around 6 starters,8+ mains and a selection of 3 puddings on my trip.The pricing is at a premium for a pub with mains around £12 but the quality full justifies the price tag. The entrance is from the car park and immediately leads to tables laid for dining while to the left,through a short corridor is a seperate restaurant area.However the two areas infront of the bar retain a pub atmosphere with lounge furniture and many locals use The Dog as their watering hole of choice.This is a welcome development,and creates a buzz before the dining crowd arrive.However the internal decor is a little lifeless .Note the pub closes some afternoons. There is a rather dull selection of real ale with Pedigree,Black Sheep Bitter and GK Abbott with another handpump unused on my trip ,while keg Ansells Mild ,Starpromen and Leffe plus other standard lagers are available.A more interesting ale range would have produced a higher rating. I enjoyed my meal and would use this place again if in need of a good gastro experience when in the area.

Easily mistaken for the pub that time forgot, very much a sixties atmosphere downstairs, both the 1960s and the average customer age - younger customers tend to go to the upper floor. You can even try a keg mild (Manns) if you wish or enjoy Cains or one of the regular guests, a choice of London Pride or Pride of Pendle last time I was in. The Moorhouses was fresh on and really good. Spirit drinkers get some good deals on doubles and trebles. The usual supects for lagers etc. Unusually for these days cigars, matches and ciggy papers on sale behind the bar and pepperami extra hot. Fortunately saved from demolision by a regulars campaign, an interesting unique pub in a narrow street of seedy clubs.

A long, detached, white rendered country cottage of a pub with a nice patio area. The interior is mainly open plan though there are dining, loungy and bar areas. Still undergoing its refurbishment it has sadly for my taste, become quite modern inside, with the red, white and mustardy coloured walls, vases and arty pictures on the walls - others will of course love it. There are some nice touches still, the brick fire, some beams and wood bar. Music was at a decent level, the service was OK, the clientele mixed from families to the older chap on his own at the bar. Beer; tap stuff with an OK Ansell's MILD, with leffe and Staropromen. On handpull there was Abbot, Pedigree, Spekky Hen and London Pride. The pub is tidy, clean and sells a decent range of beer. I didnt eat, but the food is more than basic pub nosh. The interior is not to my taste, but i would return. Whittington is a nice little mini-crawl, with nice pubs - this one enhances it