The Bell, Stevenage

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Bucking Fastard left this review about The Bell

This is an old building in the heart of the attractive village of Benington and very close to Benington Lordship which is open to the public.
The entrance is from the car park,along a dingy corridor and the bar is to your right while if you carry on around the corridor you arrive at the small restaurant with a very low timbered ceiling,a sloping floor and irregular windows which is all very atmospheric.Sadly the furniture is a little tired and the pine table looks out of place while a 50's brick fireplace probably obscures a more original feature.
The bar is in two sections,the first has a warming log burner while through the arch is a more public bar area with a darts board,piano and another real fireplace.Traditional country pub decor if looking a little tired.
The wife and I came in for lunch ,which was well cooked with great ingedients,resulting in one of the best roast beefs I've had in a long time.The service was a bit disorganised but it appeared that a new team has taken over here.The farm shop in a building off the car park is also a new feature,and another positive.
The Greene King ensignia is clear and there are three handpumps dispensing GK IPA,Abbott and a guest on my trip called Howell at the Moon,and squinting at the pump clip I noticed that this was brewed by Howell's.It was a malty,slightly sweet dark ale with little character but I was curious about this guest ale policy at this tied house.I later discovered that a Mr Howell is head brewer at Greene King and I had been duped.Aaarrrggghhh.
I wont hold this piece of underhand duplicity from GK against the pub,the food was good but I can't advise ale fans to head here.

On 6^th November 2011 - rating: 7
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