Judge & Jury, Stafford

A part of a fantastic Edwardian undressed brick and stone building, originally erected in 1905 as the Staffordshire County Education Department offices. Formerly the Hogshead, it now takes it's name from the fact that the courts are over the road. The interior is a really good mix of traditional and modern; it is open-plan, but with several areas. The decor is predominantly white, undressed brick, wood panel, with reddy/brown moulded ceiling, wood floor and partition walls. There are several tiled fireplaces, book areas and the pictures are so eclectic in nature; from cartoons to animals, plants, soldiers and old adverts. It is like walking into a National Trust property - tidy and classy. It is set up maimly for food, which isn't the cheapest in Stafford and i didn't eat, so can't comment on that, but the dining tables have more character than the whole of the Ember Inns chain. The service was friendly and the clientele a real mix from families to miserable me - it was also very busy. There was no music, or TV that i saw. Beer; tap stuff with; GK IPA, Chamber's own 'it's the law' and 'scrumptious ale', Abbots, Wye Valley HPA, Shardlow Chancellor's Revenge and an excellent Holden's MILD, if a little steep at £2.80. A really good mix of old and new, with a great beer selection. Not a cheap place, but really worth a visit - watch out GBG, if only it were an Ember Inn, it would be in next year. TRY IT.