Boot Inn, Solihull

This is an (almost) canalside pub, although the waterway is obvious even from the part-patio / part-grassed rear beer garden. Before you get there, you find quite a traditional bar and smarter dining room separated by the central servery. Three cask beers on different small counters, with Doom Bar and Twin Coast from Sharp's plus the local Blonde Star from Silhill (cheaper than I expected at £4.00).

Official site of Boot Inn - www.bootinnlapworth.co.uk

Official site of Boot Inn - www.bootinnlapworth.co.uk

Little change from my last visit here some seven years ago and The Boot remains an overly refurbished gastro pub. The refurb is solidly rustic which doesn't really match the red brick exterior but the clever divisions do well to disguise how small the pub is. The focus is firmly on food with many tables laid and a car park full of high end German motors indicating the target market. Clientele appeared to be mainly older and there was none of the lively banter which can be found in the nearby Navigation. Our encounter with the staff didn't find the level rise above surly and they appear to be pre-programmed to sit you down and foist menus upon you. Beers were Doom Bar, Purity UBU and Wye Valley Butty Bach. A cut above the Old Speckled Hen from the previous visit but not enough to tempt us into a session. Not a destination pub for me.