The Anchor, Ware

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Bucking Fastard left this review about The Anchor

A real Jekyll and Hyde experience .The building is clearly old and the interior really interesting.There is a bar directly infront of the front door from the Cambridge Road,which is small with an alcove and a windowless corridor with seating leading to the rear of the building up a short flight of steps.This is the drinking area,while the remainder of the pub is given over to dining.Customers eating enter the rear from the carpark and are seated up another flight of stairs in the first floor of the building.To the right of these stairs is an open plan lounge but the highlight is to the left of the stairs with a nesting of rooms on different levels all with low ceilings,exposed oak beams and a traditional feel.Each section has just a few dining tables ,giving a certain degree of intimacy although the various changes of level may prove problematic for those less mobile folk.
There is a good sized benched garden with it's own small bar just inside the external door dispensing keg beers and lagers.A pub interior worthy of a serious inspection.
Mr Hyde emerged with the strong Two for One meal branding.This is a Marston's eatery and in common with many chain pubs there were insufficient staff on duty and service was a little chaotic.No one to seat a line of customers,the chef had to find someone to help.Drinks served at the table by someone unable to take a food order,a waiter late for duty leading to a half hour delay in the food order etc etc.The food was also typically chain fodder ,deliberately low on flavour so as to appeal as widely as possible.Indifferent musak was totally unnessary as the pub filled up and it detracted from the atmosphere.Fireplaces now filled by gas effect wood burners.Three handpumps dispensing Banks's Bitter and a Pedigree that revealed a woody tang once the first half of the pint had been sunk.A third pumpclip reversed.
The cheap meal deals are available until 10pm (9pm Sunday) and there is a value 2:1 curry night plus pint at £11 but I left feeling what a shame that an interesting pub interior has been spoiled by insensitive chain pub ownership.My previous visit was around a dozen years ago,and I would predict a similar wait before my next trip.

On 8^th August 2011 - rating: 5
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