The Wharf, Northampton

Official site of The Wharf - www.thewharfbugbrooke.co.uk

Official site of The Wharf - www.thewharfbugbrooke.co.uk

Facebook page of The Wharf - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Wharf - www.facebook.com

A new build pub with a very uninspiring exterior saved by it's canalside location on the Grand Union.The interior is a bit more charming with wood clad ceilings but rather too much undressed brick.Through the front doors,you are faced with the bar while to the left is a formal restaurant and a raised area while to the right there are more dining tables and chairs but also a very welcome wood burner with sofas either sideMuzak is played at an acceptable background volume.Food is the main reason for calling in,but there are a few locals who gather to drink at the bar while the friendly welcome also means that there is no problem drinking without dining.To the side of the front door is a red telephone box,just a decorative ornament. On my lunchtime trip there was a bar menu at reasonable prices with quite a few light bite alternatives (around £5) if you dont want a main (£6-£10),and I was impressed by the cooking.Sadly the ale range failed to match up ,on my trip with three handpumps offering a bland choice while a fourth handpump was unused. There is a pleasant canalside garden which must be a great draw in fine weather,and there are a few external dining tables for the same reason.The pub itself is below the level of the canal ,so the dining room doesnt get great views of the passing traffic. I would use The Wharf again to eat ,gastro quality without being pretentious ,but higher marks would have been awarded if more care had been taken with the choice of ale,despite the good condition of my Phipps IPA and St Austell Dartmoor Best.