The Chapter House, Salisbury

Official site of The Chapter House - www.thechapterhouseuk.com

Official site of The Chapter House - www.thechapterhouseuk.com

Previously the Kings Arms, this medium-sized 'boutique hotel' (whatever that is) now has a bovine theme - lots of cattle-based puns on the steak menu, pictures of various ungulates dotted around and so on. It's trying to be a theme bar but not quite getting it right. The food is well cooked but overpriced, the ambiance of the historic building is marred by the low price fittings and poor DIY work, the tv screen is annoying and the wine selection is ostentatiously bad. The staff are irritating and bullish. On the plus side their beer is good - 3 ales on, all GK, I had Old Golden Hen which was really quite good. The beer makes it well worth including on a crawl, it's a good spot to chew the cud and I think it may well get better as it steers itself onwards.

The Lazy Cow has transformed what used to be The Kings Arms in St John Street. Now part of a small chain (4 outlets), it serves the most wonderful steaks imaginable. A first class menu and excellent beers on hand - St Edmund, Hopback Summer Lightning and a house beer. Terrific atmosphere with several rooms leading of a twisting corridor. Rooms are also available.