This pub has recently re-opened (November 09?) and the decor is very swish. Feature walls with…read moreluxurious wallpaper, and high-backed leather chairs.
But the staff are friendly and casual, yet still attentive. Not at all pompous. I felt I was in a small, but immaculate and modern-decorated pub, paired with a friendly atmosphere.
Seemed so clean, you could almost eat off the floor. Everything virtually new.
The mid-week lunch menu had a limited but nice selection, though the waitress also rattled off quite a number of specials. I chose a simple burger and asked for cheddar to be substituted for stilton (the advice of my wife who's dragged me there after going with friends). It was under six pounds.
It was presented well, open with relish and some salad, and next to a Jenga-type arrangment of hot very-chunky chips. I have to say, it was the best burger I've had in as long as I can remember. Superb chips too.
They also served light pastas, and baguette sandwiches. I saw one going past and that looked splendid.
They brought a highchair for a friend's baby, and cooed at him fondly. The seating area is semi-split by the old nooky nature of the space, so with it not being busy, we felt we had an area to ourselves. There were other diners in that seemed very happy too.
So, good parking for cars. Lovely staff. Brilliant little meal. Decor that's almost too good.
I'll be going back again soon, and in less of a hurry, so I can try more food and a dessert too.
Can't honestly think of a bad thing to say about this place. Not from my one visit so far, anyway.
Just to add, in summer 2010, that I've been back. Everything is just as magnificent, but the food prices have increased now. Most dishes are around £9-£10. And desserts seem especially dear at £6-plus. Some lovely choices though, and I enjoyed a bacon, asparagus and pea risotto. It was £10, but before you baulk at that, remember that a risotto can be £10 at Prezzo. By comparison, this one was in a much, much higher class of taste, ingredients and presentation. My wife had a Windsor-reared burger. It was almost two inches thick, and looked great. Okay, it was £9....but came with fabulous chunky chips and you often pay a tenner for quality burger meals these days at good eating places, or even at GBK Gourmet Burger Kitchen. Nope, I have to admit, the prices were too good to be true when first opened, and now they're more normal. But as the food, staff, decor, parking are all of the best standard, I keep my score at five out of five.