Quill & Taper, Hill Hook, Sutton Coldfield

Extensive, mostly single-storey, pub / restaurant with a Marston's 'Two for One' menu which leaves you with a "shall I pig out' dilemma if eating on your own... Anyway, it features the usual semi-modern furniture and decor in the various seating / dining areas, with a couple of areas located up a few steps and another curtained-off room at the back. Also has a good number of beer garden tables. Pedigree, Hobgoblin (£3.35) and Jennings Cumberland available from three of the four handpumps.

Official site of The Blake Barn - www.blakebarnpub.co.uk

Official site of The Blake Barn - www.blakebarnpub.co.uk

This is a low level detached modern Marston's pub/eatery, in undressed brick and a smattering of white render, with patio, in an area of new housing near Blake St station and does 2 for 1 offers. The interior is an open plan long room broken into little areas on slightly differering levels and is all food based, i couldn't find a 'bar' area as such. The decor is mainly in red, black and white, with fakey twee beams and a central brick hearth at one end. There are some arty pictures, some old photos of the area and mirrors on the walls. The service at my visit was fine, the clientele mixed and the charty background music was at a decent level. Beer; usual tap stuff, with all the hanpulls turned around, except one with the fast-cask Marston's EPA on. Uninspired, I had a diet-coke for a change. I like traditional pubs, with character, inside and out, as well as real ale and MILD. This place had nothing really for those like myself.