Ring O Bells, Widcombe, Bath

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Blackthorn _ left this review about Ring O Bells

I daresay at one time this may have been a traditional high street boozer, but these days it’s much more of a bistro/restaurant than your typical pub. All tables except a very small circular one squashed in the back were laid up for food on a recent Saturday evening visit, and all were fully occupied. There were however a few high chairs up at the bar, and these too were fully utilised by punters who were just after a drink.

It’s got a contemporary appearance, with a great flagstone floor, some exposed stone walling and plasterwork elsewhere with cream paintwork with some pale green detailing. A number of pieces of artwork adorned the walls, much of it for sale if you’ve got a spare £300 knocking around. There is also a function room upstairs which appeared to be booked out to a private party. A notice advertised Sunday jazz nights, which I guess may also be in the function room. Staff all seemed friendly and helpful.

As befits it’s restaurant aspirations, the menu was very much of the gastro-pub variety with most of the mains around the £15 mark or more. My Lamb Shank in a rich sauce and herby mash was a very pleasant dish, but by the time I’d added a side order of veg it had breached the £20 barrier, so I’d expect it to be good. A Shropshire Blue Cheese & Raisin tart was an unusual starter, and also very pleasant so I’d certainly recommend it food wise, but it’s no good if you’re expecting “pub grub”, and in any case you’d be unlikely to get a table if you hadn’t booked. A number of punters were turned away whilst we were there. Having said that, there was a tapas menu chalked up on a board next to the bar, so that may be another option if you’re not after a full blown meal.

The solitary beer on tap was Moles Best, and the only cider Black Rat. This is a tricky one to mark. What it does, it does well, and I’d happily return. But it’s not really a pub in the strictest sense of the word, and this is, after all, a pub review website. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it so will mark it accordingly. Just bear in mind my comments if you’re after more of a proper “pub”.

On 19^th March 2012 - rating: 8
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