Jolly Sailor, Saltfordback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Made my maiden visit to this canal-side pub opportunistically last Thursday lunchtime, en route back from Bristol with 2 narrowboats' full of punters. We moored up at Saltford Lock and trusted that overlooking (or not being close enough to) some other classic pubs (the Crown at Kelston, the Swan at Swineford et al), we hadn't made a poor choice.
Certainly on such a fine sunny day the pub was a sure-fire winner; a charming soft-stone double-fronted exterior was complemented by a well-tended front garden with plenty of sun-trap seating. Business was booming and it was little wonder given its prime pitch. The question was, is the pub allowing itself to complacently coast along with a guaranteed audience, or is it pulling out all the stops?
I suspect the opinion amongst my compadres was mixed. But for my part, by and large I was not disappointed - at least not with the quality of the food, which was plainly king. My grilled plaice topped with cheesy prawns and a variety of veg went down very nicely, and whilst was perhaps pushing it at over �11, it was an antidote to the triumvirate of burgers, pies and ham egg 'n' chips. Saying that others enjoyed the gammon, mussels and other dishes. It's no gastro-pub, but then I didn't sense any pretensions to being so. I don't think you'd be troubled by the food quality.
However, ale-wise, I must tell a slightly less-encouraging story. The initial pints of Butcombe Best and Wadworth's 'Sailors' (a rebadge of one of their regulars though we weren't sure which) were satisfactory but they soon turned, to the point where the 6X was the only cask option remaining. It wasn't THAT busy, and the ale wasn't THAT good! We left slightly deflated by both the range and cellaring of the beers, which was a shame and would undoubtledly influence any of us if deciding whether to return in future.
I should make mention of service standards. Ostensibly, they were terrible: we waited 45 minutes at least for our meals, which is unacceptable even when cooked from scratch, and it was fortunate we had plenty of time to while away. Expectations could've been managed better as regards the backlog and likely waiting time. However, I suspect this failing lies with the kitchen staff; it was a bustling shift and clearly they'd become a victim of their own success. I shan't have a word said against any of the 3 barmaids, whose service was polite and efficient, and whose presence actually made the wait all the more charming. Well done for having to cope with what clearly was a difficult predicament.
So, some good things, some bad here. I'd implore the licensees to just raise their game a little and iron out the rough spots here. Yes, you have a great pub in a cracking location, but that doesn't afford complacency.
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A recent visit on a Thursday evening revealed all tables taken by diners. On approaching the bar a distinct whiff of vinegar was rising, the vinegary stench of stale beer and a poor cleaning regime behind the bar. Most off-putting.
I was served a very ordinary pint of Butcome and a glass of draught coke which cost almost the same as a pint of beer.
A couple at a nearby table covered up their half-finished meal with napkins and proceeded to fill up on bread.
I've been visiting here since Roger was the Landlord, but this was the Jolly Sailor at its most soulless, given over mostly to diners who did not seem to be entirely enjoying their meals.
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TheFoodDevourer is correct - the Jolly has been slipping away in recent times, and not just the food. They do of course attract a huge amount of trade when we have good weather, mainly due to their superb location, and I suspect they've become a little complacent as a result. In all honesty the Bird in Hand beats all the other Saltford pubs into a cocked hat whether you're talking food or beer, which is why I tend to use it pretty much exclusively these days.
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visited for sunday lunch 23oct11, ordered lamb roast, potatoes were really just boiled with a slight roast on one side and still hard in middle..hadnt been turned over ; broccoli was raw and gravy tasteless..the one and half slices of lamb were ok but only a childs portion..i used to come here years ago when it used to do good food!
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Visited the Jolly Sailor twice recently and found that there seems to have been a change on the beer front. Butcombe is still present but the other three real ales are now all Wadsworth - 6X, Henry's and Old Timer. I don't know if this means Wadsworth have acquired the pub - no change visible on the signs - but it seems the variety they used to offer has gone - which I suppose is no problem if you like their beer. The pub is still well run and worth a visit regardless.
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This is a superbly located pub directly alongside the river by a weir so it never fails to attract lots of customers. The beer is usually of a very good standard (could be improved on a bit I think) - usual suspects, Butcombe, Doom Bar and a few changing guest ales but the main thrust of the business is food so its never really going to be a mecca for serious hop sniffers like us.
The one big disappointment for me about this pub is that despite it's location just a stones throw away from the busy Bristol to Bath cycle track and subsequently attracting lots of thirsty cyclists the cycle 'racks' take the prize for the most unsuitable piece of welded construction alleged to be suitable for this purpose. I did email the landlord a few years ago about this subject and he said the matter would be addressed during the current refurbishment but it never actually happened. It would be good if the landlord reads this and acknowledges the trade that cyclists bring to the pub and changes those ridiculous cycle racks.
Lucky for him I'm OK with his beer!
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This pub has a superb location right by Saltford lock. There�s plenty of outside seating, including a few seats on the island which to get to you have to walk across the lock � not recommended after one too many. It�s a traditional free house, so you can never be sure what ales are going to be on. When I was in there on Wednesday lunchtime they had on Butcombe Bitter; Sharp�s Doom Bar; and GKIPA. I had a couple of pints of Butcombe Bitter, which was excellent, and reasonably priced (by my London standards) at �2.65 a pint. I didn�t spend much time inside, except to go to and from the bar, but it looked pretty basic. Nothing wrong with that of course. It was reasonably quiet on a weekday lunchtime, but I bet it gets incredibly busy on a summer�s weekend. But it�s a really nice pub, and definitely worth a visit if you�re in the area on a nice day and can sit outside.
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Took a detour off the cycle path again yesterday and nothing's changed. The pub will always be busy due to its attractive location which unfortunately seems to mean the owners don't need to be bothered with such trivialities such as providing decent service and decent beer. Yes, there were four ales on, but the two tried were tired and just about not take backable in quality. Just lazy. Will give it another six months and hope for an improvement.
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Fantasic riverside setting with extensive outside seating, and even their own island across the lock.
Quite nice inside as well with a traditional bar area and a modern conservatory used for dining.
Four beers on tap, plus Blackthorn & Scrumpy Jack cider.
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Been in a couple of times recently and the positives of the location and pleasant interior are offset by the averageness of the ale. Only Butcombe Best and one other which could only could be described as passable when quaffed. Shame.
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A brief visit, made all the more brief due to the lack of local Bristol ales as advertised on the board outside. Theakstons Old Peculiar apparently the most local. Place seems nice enough and was very busy on the Sunday afternoon we popped in. Might be tempted to give it another go when in the area.
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Visited at lunch time today and had the best Welcome, Service and Food we have had anywhere in the past year.
All 5 of us were really impressed and had a Fantasic meal at a very reasonable price
Katie made the reservation for us as we requested the fireside table. Nicky and all her Colleagues were extremely helpful and friendly.
We are only sorry we live more than 50 miles away
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I visited this pub back in the summer. I enjoyed a good salad meal whilst sitting by the riverside. Good beer, good food, good staff, good view of river, we'll be back!
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if the fish was off then it would take 12 - 36 hours to start vomitting! ive never eaten in this pub but your review wouldnt stop me trying the food out.
mw145 - 15 Jan 2008 00:24 |
quote "looking at the drinks you had I do not feel that your custom would be missed..." LOL! :)I have to say i agree with Fair Play, I've eaten several times here and never had a problem..makes me wonder how many times you've been given the benefit of the doubt!
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Fine riverside location for a sunny day and you can watch the ducks and herons on the weir right outside. As we had soft drinks (a recurring feature for this pub?) I can't comment on the beer or food, although you'll need a taxi if enjoying the former as it's some way from the nearest bus route.
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We could not have beer as it contains yeast which is not allowed on the diet. My husband had the cider as he is not fully doing the diet. No other pub we have been in has had a problem with us or our dietary requirements.
You could be right about being undercharged for the first round though.
disgruntled customer - 27 Oct 2004 19:25 |
I think you were undercharged for the drinks initialy.A pint of cider in Bath costs around �2.50 min and a vodka depending on size is around �2.00.I have always found the service and food fine here but if I had special dietary problems I would agree with the lamdlord and stick to restaurants like you normally do. I don't think its wise to risk any pub particually one as busy as The Jolly Sailor with your problems, and looking at the drinks you had I do not feel that your custom would be missed...
Fair Play - 15 Sep 2004 18:02 |
We went into the Jolly Sailor pub in Saltford on 12th July 2004 and ordered a meal with specific requirements of no butter, and were assured that the meals we had selected could be provided with plain vegetables, and that the marinade of the chicken only had lemon and thyme in it. The bar lady who served us was very helpful, but this attitude did not extend to the rest of the staff. All four of us have candidiasis, so it is important to avoid certain foods which aggravate the condition. Normally it is perfectly possible for restaurants to accommodate this, as long as they are informed when we order (which is what we did, without actually explaining the entire diet and everything about it, as the bar staff do not have time for that). We ordered chicken with lemon and thyme, and Dover sole with plain vegetables and potatoes. When the food arrived, the chicken dish had some kind of cream sauce on it and the fish was accompanied by salad with vinaigrette dressing (also a problem). Not wishing to make a fuss, we ate the food (avoiding the ingredients which were a problem).
Ten minutes after eating the meal, my friend (who had had the Dover sole) was violently sick. She has eaten meals with vinegar on the side of the plate before with no ill effects, so is fairly sure that the fish must have been off. When we complained and implied that a refund might be in order, the landlord argued the toss, claimed that we should not eat in restaurants if we have such complicated dietary requirements, and implied that there must be something wrong with my friend if the food made her sick � refusing to accept that there was anything wrong with the food, and trying to pick holes in everything we said. Surely it would have been better to give us the benefit of the doubt (as happens in most restaurants). We will not be eating there again, as the landlord was very rude and unhelpful.
In addition, the first round we ordered (two pints of plain water, one of soda water, a vodka and a pint of cider), came to �3.10, whereas the second round we ordered (two pints of plain water, one of soda water, and a pint of cider), came to �3.20. So the vodka in the first round was -10p? I don't think so. Could it be that we were overcharged for the second round?
disgruntled customer - 12 Jul 2004 22:14 |
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