Boot, Soulburyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A good sized pub on the edge of this attractive village, it looks as though it may have had a bit of a makeover at some point but nonetheless still retains a fairly traditional air unlike many others of it’s ilk which have had any semblance of originality stripped out.
The main bar is at the front of the pub and has something of a farmhouse kitchen feel to it with it’s red quarry tiles, pale green paintwork on the walls, cream painted beamed ceiling and plain wooden furniture. Seating was fairly limited here in spite of the room being a good size. Besides two or three bench tables, there were a number of stools at the bar that had been arranged in to a semi-circle by the locals, and a single black leather sofa next to what was probably a fire-place at one time but had been knocked through to simply provide a partition in to the rear room. A plasma stuck on the wall to one side looked slightly out of place, but fortunately was not in use.
This smaller room at the rear continued a similar decor theme and had a large brick fire-place at the rear with a black wooden mantle. A pile of logs in the grate suggested that it may be pressed in to use in the colder weather. Another room at the front was more geared up for dining with all the tables laid up for food, and this had a slightly more contemporary feel, although the pale green paintwork and quarry tiled floor continued along with some floral artwork on the walls. The pub also has outside seating consisting of some decking and a small garden at the rear as well as a few tables and chairs at the front.
The food menu offered a good selection of dishes, although these were clearly a cut above your usual “pub grub” with most of the main courses in the £15 - £20 range. There were also a couple of specials boards, one offering a similarly priced range and the other a “bar specials” range. These were more pub like dishes and included Ham Egg & Chips, Lasagne, Burger and a Steak & Ale Pie but even these were £12.95. My Salmon & Crab Fishcakes were one of the cheaper options at £14.95 and were a decent and tasty dish. If I was being critical I would say that they were perhaps a little on the small side, but then crab’s not a cheap ingredient and there was plenty of it in there.
Beers on tap were Old Speckled Hen, Greene King IPA and Doom Bar. Ciders were Strongbow and Weston’s Old Rosie. Overall I thought this was a decent enough pub with a good mix of food and drink offerings. Staff were pleasant and helpful, although the young waitress didn’t seem particularly switched on – is it really necessary to use a calculator to add £14.95 and £4.95 for instance? On the downside, it’s not quite as “pubby” as some places, and of course the food is not cheap.
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2/9/2010. These reviews obviously need an update as I think the pub has changed hands. Talk about a lack of atmosphere, really like drinking in a community hall rather than a pub. Ordered a pint of Black Sheep, completely cloudy and tasting totally off so returned it and was offered alternative which was off too. Then had Greene King which was just passable. I noted neither of the "off" beers were removed from sale.Prices: a pint and a glass of wine �8.35. This is not a nice pub, stay away.
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A nice pub, serving excellent food. Large selection of wines. Staff very good. Most punters friendly and refined, except for the few 'local' mummies and daddies who like to drink wine while letting their kids run amock all over the pub.
anonymous - 15 Feb 2009 20:13 |
Been several times for a drink - everytime there are a bunch of noisey yummy mummies and daddies supping gallons of wine at the front of the pub and their a brood of children with names like Sebastian who are all are bored and misbehaving. At the bar, you'll find the local labourers - early evening they are ok, but later, they are pretty loud as well. This is not a quiet pub, so do not go there for a quiet drink. However the atmosphere is buzzing (if you like that kind of noise) and the decor is nice if not a little run-down,
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Visited a couple of weeks ago after wanting to visit for some while as I drive past quite a bit.
Unfortunately so did Dom Jolly's mum, the most annoying woman in the world was sat at the bar and for the hour or so we were there she was constantly on the phone in a "HELLO, I'M IN THE PUB" conversation which followed the conversation she had with the bar staff about how important she was.
She didn't even stop talking to eat her meal, which she eat at the bar. And as much as I wanted to eat I just couldn't put up with it, add to that the fact that the menu was limited and we went on our way.
Had a pint of Spitfire which was passable and a second pint which neither I nor SWMBO can remember the name of but as there was a fair amount of yeast in the glass maybe less detail is more.
Won't be rushing back, though in its favour there were a few people eating who seemed happy enough. Staff were helpful and friendly so a 5 is a fair score I think.
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A good,well run country pub with some very good beers and tasty,well prepared food.
Clean,tidy,orderly staff who are polite,quite efficient and provide good service.
Prices here do reflect what you consume as the regulars are all well-heeled types.
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Really nice place - charming staff, good wine & decent beer, nice atmosphere and nicely furnished / decorated. The food, although it's very nice, is pricey for what you get.
anonymous - 12 Sep 2007 12:50 |
nice pub/restaurant. charming staff and well presented food. did find the puddings a bit underpar though- lumpy brule, hard 'poached' pear .Was busy with xmas parties though. other slight grumble was that it was cold - recommend not sitting by the drafty windows when it's winter!
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We stopped off there on the way to Whipsnade Zoo on a lovely summer's day for lunch. A good decision.
The food (pigeon stroganoff and a great sirloin steak) was marvellous, well presented and definitely worth a return visit to sample. Although I didn't try it, the pub had a huge variety of fresh (shell)fish on the menu that looked worth investigating. The puddings were sublime. The beer (Green King IPA and Courage Directors on tap), lager and wine was good. The staff were amiable, helpful and highly professional. The setting is great: overlooking rolling fields.
I'm certainly going again.
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Found this fantastic Pub by accident last night - best accident ever!!
Food like you have never tasted, presentation fantastic, staff and service excellent - If you enjoy making your mouth water go here - lots of choice - quite hard to decide actually - highly recomend the Mushroom Friscee to start and fillett beef for main followed by Irish whiskey and chocolate brulee - heaven - also the breads - I had honey and pollen bread with my starter - delicious
Cant wait for a return visit!!
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It was until a few years ago a proper local, with drapes, chamber pot collection, hunting pix et al, all under the benevolent gossipy eye of Tony Saint. A makeover and new landlord means pastel walls and light wood furniture and a total loss of the cosy, homely feeling it used to have.
That said, it IS a good pub - for walkers and visitors stopping by. Green King and a guest are on offer, and the food is outstanding.
There's a garden to the rear and tables out front.
Allan Friswell - 21 Sep 2004 19:00 |
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