George Inn, Farleighback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I haven't been in , but the pub has now been reopened.
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Since my last review, the pub has closed yet again and been boarded up for about six months. In contrast to previous re-openings where not much has changed with the pub, this time it has undergone a �300k refurbishment and has Malvern Inns at the helm. The main entrance is now around the back, where you walk up a slate tiled path illuminated on either side by recessed LED uplighters. To the left is an attractive gravelled courtyard garden with several tables and chairs.
The layout of the pub is unchanged, but it has undergone significant refurbishment. The main bar area has a predominantly wood floor with some black and white chequered tiles immediately in front of the bar and slate tiles elsewhere. The colour scheme is a mixture of cream and chocolate brown. Down a small slope to the right is a lounge area with several tables and chairs, plenty of cushions and some black and white prints of old Bristol on the walls. Separating the two is a dual aspect open chimney, and I understand they are plans to install a stone fireplace here. Beyond this is an impressive stone walled room with a high vaulted ceiling, a large table and high backed leather chairs reminiscent of a medieval dining room. I believe this is planned to be used as a function room.
To the left of the bar area is another room more geared up for dining, with an exposed stone wall and fireplace at the far end. The menu looks to be a good selection of dishes, slightly above your usual �pub grub�, but nonetheless reasonable looking value with most of the main courses around the �9 mark. There is also a bar menu with a selection of light bites and tapas style dishes. Drink prices seemed expensive at �8 for two pints, although this was primarily due to the Peroni being �4.25 a pint. �Enjoy your drinks� said the friendly barman. �I would bl**dy well hope so at that price�commented Mrs. B.
Beers on tap were Old Hookey, Tribute, Butcombe and Bass. Ciders were Thatcher�s Gold and Stowford Press. There was also a good selection of continental lagers � no Fosters or Carling here.
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What a shame, this could be such a great pub. Firstly get a decent Landlord/lady who actually talks to the customers and can build up some regulars. Secondly throw out those dining chairs with holes in the seating pads and recarpet the restaurant. Thirdly get rid of the formal chairs and tables in the NON restaurant bit and give us lots of cosy sofas. ALSO get the fire working (there's nothing like a roaring fire) and finally get rid of the black wood colour scheme. Its so drepressing. THEN WE MIGHT FINALLY HAVE A DECENT PUB AT OUR END OF THE VILLAGE instead of having to go down to the New Inn.
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We have been visiting this traditional pub for the last five years.
Lovely restaurant area. Never had a bad meal here.
The midweek offer of two courses for �6.95 is good value for money.
Desserts are lovely and are large portions.
Lots of specials on the blackboard.
It has a nice garden with a covered terrace area.
One of my favourites.
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I believe this is yet again under new management. This cannot bode well for the future of the pub, it�s obviously not making any money if landlords last no more than a few months. This is a shame as it�s a tidy, up together pub in a prime location.
Not much has changed though, even the pictures on the wall are the same. They have been advertising that there is now a pool table, although I could not see any evidence of it when I visited. I queried this, and was told it�s in a barn out the back, and they could �unlock it if I wanted�.
Food is now very traditional pub grub � haddock & chips, scampi & chips, pie of the day, lasagne, etc. and is advertised as �home cooked� whatever that means. Nothing even as adventurous as a curry or a chilli, and no specials board either. The menu does not list any desserts, but says to ask for today�s selection. One punter did this and got an extremely bemused expression from the barmaid, although to be fair she did then real some off. Nothing wrong with a basic pub grub menu of course, as long as it�s decent food. Unfortunately on this occasion it was a bit disappointing � my beer battered haddock and chips was just about ok, but certainly not worth the �7.50 or so I paid. The fish itself was very small, being almost as much batter as fish.
On the plus side though, it�s still got a pleasant ambience, and all the staff seemed friendly and helpful. It was quite quiet on a Friday night though, with only a dozen or so people being in there at 8:30pm, and it�s a big old pub. If that�s what it�s like at a prime time like that, I can�t see the new owners lasting too long, which will be a shame. It did liven up (rather too much) later on, with a horde of rather noisy teenagers, but then it was the last day of term so this may not be typical.
Beers on this occasion were Doom Bar, Butcombe and Courage Best. The cider was Thatcher�s Gold.
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Now under new management yet again, although not much seems to have changed. Very busy on a recent Sunday lunch time, with many people dining. The menu chalked up on the board appeared to have a decent selection.
Beers on this occasion were BOB, Banker's Draft and 6X. Ciders were Thatcher's Gold and Addlestones.
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After frequent changes in management and several different themes (eg; Thai cooking) it seems to have settled down at the moment.
It's a good size pub with a decent, extensive menu. They do some sort of meal deal during the week, but it's a much more restriced choice.
Nice garden/patio area for the summer.
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Nice pint of wadworth 6X and beer garden out the back, worth dropping in if passing, 8/10
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Brilliant pub quiz on Monday night 9pm, get there early for a seat, lots of big brains, prizes per round as well as at end, traditional questions / format. Huge choice of good food too. Only criticism is gets very smokey in bar area (roll on 2007).
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