Punch Bowl, Battisfordback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Country pub that is very much off the beaten track. Locals and the landlord appeared friendly and a group of women were arriving for a hen gathering. There are 2 rooms - a bar and a restaurant. There is also a nice garden at the rear. Adnams Bitter is the regular ale and guests were Pitchfork PG Steam & Mighty Oak Charcoal Burner. The latter was a very enjoyable porter. A decent start to a Saturday crawl of Suffolk pubs.
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The previous reviews of the Punch Bowl are now out of date. The pub closed in 2009 but the local community have managed to get it up and running again and what a different pub it is! We have been to the Punch Bowl several times in the past and it was not a great experience but all that has changed. We visited on August Bank holiday Monday 2011 whilst cycling in the area and both the staff (local volunteers) and the locals in the pub were very welcoming and friendly. The beer, Adnams New Zealand Pale Ale (a new one on me), was brilliant but the food was outstanding. Both our meals were far above the usual standard of pub food. I had the best risotto I have ever had in a pub or restaurant. And the price for the quality was exceptional value. Could do with some more vegetarian options in the salads and starters but I still did OK. To anyone who has been in the past and not enjoyed it I'd said get over there as soon as possible and see the difference. The only negative point - we don't live near enough to go regularly.
mands - 30 Aug 2011 20:57 |
Forgot to rate it. Let's say six. I'm going back in three weeks - see what I think of it then.
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Well, today there was one hand pump working, with an acceptable pint of Adnams. All main courses for �7.95 (except for 8 oz. steak �9.95) - including the Sunday roast, which is usually a cheaper item, so this was a shame. I did also expect more than one slice of beef, but it was quite thick, so with the veg. and batter pudding it was sufficient. My wife also enjoyed the cod and prawn Thai fishcakes.
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Oh dear oh dear!
I was correct in my belief voiced in my previous review, the tenants were new and they did'nt reign long.
Visited again recently and what a disappointment, a huge banner outside announcing new management and inviting all to venture in and take a look.
We had booked a table for a Sunday lunch, how I wish we had'nt bothered, drinks served in glasses streaked with the residue of glass wash, pints (?) served with two inch heads, red wine like ice, a bar top sticky with spilt drinks and food that was mediocre at best, and a young lad serving who seemed to think he was giving everyone a treat, and failing miserably.
Good luck with keeping your Pub open Battisford, you need it.
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This is an attractive, small Pub at the end of of the village, it looks as though it has known better times but the potential is there for it to be really lovely, inside the bar has two areas separated buy open exposed beams and each area has a fireplace, the area directly inside the door has a working woodburner and a wooden floor, the other side is home to a pool table and dart board with a stone flagged floor, the 'L' shaped bar services both areas, choice of three handpumps GK IPA & Adnams Bitter the third offering, Fullers London Pride, marked as the 'Guest' none of which are unusual in this area but a reasonable choice from a small village pub, the pint of Adnams I sampled was Crisp and Clear but a tad to cold for me.
The bar also carried several of the newer tall font style lager dispensers which I felt created a bit of a barrier in such a small place, but the brightness of the Landlady's smile soon shone through.
The resturant appeared very busy but nothing to report this time regarding the food this was a flying visit.
We arrived just as the soda dispense wotsit decided to throw a wobbly and as the driver wanted a soda and something she was forced to wait, but all credit to the young lady serving, despite being very busy she took time to let us know that we were not forgotten and was charming, friendly and very proffesional.
I don't know if I am correct but I had the feeling that the management was new, the interior was quite stark and lacked personality which was at odds with the girl I took for the Landlady, so I look forward to calling again to see how it shapes up.
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