ReviewA good sized, prominent pub on the main A37 through the village. To my mind it's a rather ugly building, painted as it is in a somewhat unusual hue. Think battleship grey, but a few shades darker. Presumably somebody must have liked it, this only occurred during a refurbishment a few years ago, it used to be a far more conventional colour.
That aside, one you get in it's quite a pleasant surprise. OK, so it's had what you might call a typical gastro-pub makeover with chunky round tables that are supposed to look like they're fashioned out of old logs, a mixture of striped pine flooring and some fairly decent looking floor tiles, lots of brown velvet on the seating and a liberal sprinkling of fake cow's hide cushions. You get the idea I'm sure. Obviously they're keen to push the wine side of things, as there's a large mirrored wall of wine bottles right in front of you as soon as you walk in to the pub. Loos were suitably plush with designer soap, a long twin basin and a neat little pile of paper towels.
There was a carpeted room at the rear which looked a little more like a conventional dining area, although the large plasma on the wall looked out of place. We didn't sample the food, or even see a menu, but it seemed to be popular. As thenewowner has mentioned, it appears as though it now tends towards the steak side of things. Barman seemed friendly enough.
Usual uninspiring choice of Greene King ales – Abbot, IPA and Old Speckled Hen. Ciders faired marginally better than the ubiquitous Strongbow that you get in so many of their pubs – this one had Blackthorn and Bulmers. Now that Blackthorn have gone back to their original recipe I'd forgotten what a good pint it can sometimes be. Mrs B. was impressed with the lager choice as well – Becks, Peroni & Amstel.
