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Disappointment of the week with Gann
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The Duke of York, Ganwick Corner, Barnet
Barnet
EN5 4SG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Duke of York
The Duke of York is a former coaching inn on the A1000 Great North Road, halfway between Barnet and Potters bar. It name comes from the fact that it stands near the battleground where the Duke of York won a decisive victory in 1471, the little known “Battle of Barnet”, during the Wars of the Roses.
This large pub has primarily functioned as a restaurant of various guises over the years and I remember it being a Bernie Inn restaurant back in the 80’s during which one visit was so terrible that I have not been back to this day.
Since then it’s been run by several restaurant chains who have all tried to make a fist of it and failed, and this included the now defunct Blubeckers PubCo who had it at the time of Steves visit below.
Recently I noticed that this is now one of the Brunning & Price chain of Gastro pubs since April last year, when The Duke of York underwent a comprehensive renovation, both inside and outside. And as I think they’ve done quite a good job of replacing or retaining a pub feel in their other Hertfordshire establishments, I decided to pop in and have a look.
Internally the pub feel has definitely been brought back and like their other establishments they have done a very good job at attaining a pub and a gastro restaurant inside the same skin.
There is now a central square bar, around which are several comfortable seating areas for eating or just drinking where lots of prints, old photographs, rugs and books, and two open fires have been used to give it a bit of a traditional pub feel. And then off to the left is a separate restaurant area laid for dining. The bar supports five handpumps four ales and a cider and the offers are displayed on a large chalk board above the bar as in their other pubs.
For my visit Adnams Lighthouse, Mole Brewery Barley Mole and Nethergate Growler Bitter were available with the house Ale Brunning & Price Original brewed by Phoenix Brewer being reverse clipped. My pint of Nethergate Growler was very good, but then it should have been at the eye watering and wallet hurting price of £3.90. This makes it one of the most expensive pints in the vicinity and although you can get a 60p discount between 5 and 7PM during the week, the place doesn’y justify that price level.
The same high priced gastro food fare is available as in other Brunning & Price locations, and although I can’t comment as we didn’t eat I strongly recommend you consult the reviews of Trip Advisor for those that have because currently the reports seem to be that the service levels and the quality of food being received does not match the high prices being charged.
And for reference the pub benefits from having a massive car park out back and the beer garden is now a very pleasant space after its renovation too, to the other side of this large pub
On 15th August 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Duke of York
This place is a pre book restaurant with a bar area on the side. The bar has Adnams and Pride along with four draught beers, but it feels like a waiting room.
Maybe it is better when the sun is out as there is a big garden with an adventure play area for the kids, but judging on how busy it was with diners last weekend I'd imagine it gets packed.
The staff seemed very friendly, but I'll not be returning here just for a beer.
On 13th March 2009
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]