The Bell & Crown is a historic pub in the little village of Zeals. It has an expansive interior,…read morealthough the walls are painted a very dark colour which makes the main bar area feel a little claustrophobic. (Yes, as another review states, candles in the middle of the day are a feature). Fortunately there is a another eating area which is brighter, and a large covered eating area outside, if atmospheric gloom isn't your thing.
The menu is a notch or three above average pub food; my friend had calves' liver with spring greens and mash, and I had a vegetarian sourdough pizza with a side salad of rocker with dressed shallots and grated pecorino cheese. Both were really excellent - my pizza had a deep umami flavour and is one of the best I've eaten. That said, you pay accordingly: the two mains, side salad, with a beer and water, and 12.5% service, came to just shy of £58.
Service was very attentive, if rather serious. By the time we left the place was packed with families and couples. So, a good choice for a special meal, but it might be bit too restaurant-priced for some.