New Inn, West Townback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Since my previous review, this has been closed for a few months and has now re-opened under new ownership. Decor wise it’s still pretty much the same, and is perhaps starting to look a little tired in places. The seating may have been re-arranged, but it still consists of one bar having just two tables with a number of leather armchairs around each, and the other bar with a few high tables and chairs. Consequently seating options are somewhat limited unless you’re dining. The smaller bar counter is now taken up almost entirely by a very large coffee machine.
The lease has now been taken on by an Indian guy, but rather than serving up curry as might be expected, there is apparently an Italian chef in the kitchen and this is clearly reflected in the menu. There were a reasonable choice of dishes such as lasagne, risotto, etc., which seemed well priced at around the £6 - £7 mark, although these were labelled as “first courses” which came in between “starters” and “main courses”, so I’m not sure what sort of portion size they would be. Main course options were considerably more expensive at around the £15 - £20 mark, and these too had an Italian influence. There was also a separate pizza menu, although we didn’t study this.
Landlord seemed friendly enough, although his habit of calling everyone Senor and Senorita at every opportunity got a bit monotonous after a while. A complimentary dish of olives arrived with our drinks and these were very pleasant.
Unfortunately, there were no ales on tap, real or otherwise. No beer at all, not even keg, so if you’re a bitter drinker you’re stuffed. There were three pumps on the bar, one that appeared unused and two with their labels turned round. Whether that’s policy, supply problems, or a busy weekend I’m not sure, but it’s clearly not a good sign. Ciders fared better with both Thatcher’s Gold and Stowford Press.
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This is a fantastic pub to sit and read the papers whilst sipping your coffee/hot choc/drink in. Nice and modern without being intimidating and the sort of place I am happy to take my mum to. Unfortunately menu is a bit too expensive for casual dining , more of a special occasion eatery for me, but nice to pop into when we go for a walk round the village footpaths. Shame it is the opposite end of the village to where we live - perhaps they will wave their magic wand over The George too!
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beer festival this weekend 1st - 3rd of may . and 29-31st may .
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I thought I should write a quick note as the reviews so far are either out of date, ie prior to new management, or from one reviewer.
Will start with general layout first. There are three areas, two bar, one dining. As already stated, the seating arrangement for the two main bars was initially a little displaced but things seem to have been ironed out and more furniture added. It is now more than comfy. The overall feel is modern, contemporary, country design and there is of course the nice fireplace for the winter months. I believe that the garden is soon to be open/recently opened but I haven't had a chance to visit yet, have just seen work being done and a sign outside. Fingers crossed...it would be a great addition.
The food is of high quality. The dining room menu changes regularly and seems to be in line with the seasons. I think the previous prices mentioned are about right. If you go for the three courses it is good value for excellent food. The bar menu also varies, as the previous reviewer stated there was tapas. In addition and from recollection I've seen soups, pork pies, burgers and sausage & mash. The prices are fair and usually between �5-�10. With respect to breakfast, I went with my partner on a Saturday morning. I had bubble and squeak, he had sausage and egg but due to an allergy requested the egg be changed to bacon and found his request granted. We then had a side order of beans and hash browns. Tea/coffee and toast was included. I think with an extra orange juice the bill was about �16.50. Not the �20 a head mentioned. I was stuffed for the day...
I would review the beer selection but think 'blackthorn' has covered that. The wine list is good and the staff seem knowledgeable about what is on offer, which is always helpful.
All in all I think the reopening of The New Inn is a great asset to the area and I would not hesitate in recommending a visit to those with discerning tastes.
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Does nobody else on BITE go to this pub? I don't want to monopolise the reviews, but as they've now started serving breakfast six days a week (not Sunday), I'll throw my thoughts on that in to the mix.
Choice was limited to stuff with eggs - bacon and eggs, sausage and eggs, smoked salmon and eggs, etc. I had expected something a bit more interesting in a gastropub like Egge Benedict perhaps.
Prices were reasonable if you stuck to one of the mains. Most hovered around the �6 mark, and for that you got toast and tea/coffee in addition to your meal. However, if you wanted a "Full English" it's another story. Strictly speaking this wasn't even an option - you could choose sausage or bacon, but not both. By the time you'd added on all your side dishes, ie; baked beans, tomato, mushrooms, etc. you've added another tenner on to your bill. So throw in a fruit juice as well, and you're looking at the best part of �20. What's that about, even an expensive London hotel wouldn't charge you that.
Perhaps that's why we were the only people in there on a recent bank holiday Monday.
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I've been back several times since my last review, and they've made a few tweeks which have improved it.
The comfy sofa's are now in the bar with the real fire, and the bar stools are in the room with the bar which makes more sense.
The main meals seem to now average around the �15 mark, although it's a different menu each day so that may vary. There's also a "meal deal", three courses for �19.50 if you order before 7:30 which is actually quite a good price for the quality of the food. Instead of the slightly unusual snack menu, they now have a tapas menu served well in to the evening, which makes more sense. These are mostly around the �4 mark.
There are three pumps in use, although again one was off yesterday. The two that were on were Landlord and Sharp's Cornish Coaster.
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Now re-opened. The sign outside proclaims that it is the "New Inn - Country Pub and Dining Room" which gives you a clue as to the market they're going for.
Inside it's been nicely done out, albeit in typical gastro-pub fashion with large slate tiles in the middle bar and pine flooring in the left hand bar. It doesn't really feel much like a pub, certainly not a "country" one, but more of a trendy bar somewhere. But then to be fair it was never really that pubby anyway, so their options were limited.
There's only a limited amount of seating in the two bars, with some high tables and stools in one bar, and some leather sofa's and chairs in the other bar. Both are fairly small though, so again there were limited options in how much could be done. The arrangement was a bit odd with entry being through the left hand bar, but service in the middle bar. To walk between the two you had to squeeze past one of the leather chairs. I literally had to turn sideways to get between the chair and the wall. I wouldn't like to have been sat in that seat, you'd be running the risk all night of getting drinks spilt over you.
One of the bars had a real fire which was a nice touch on a cold, wet evening, although they seemed to have trouble keeping it going.
This isn't a place to pop in for a bar snack, with many of the main meals nudging the �20 mark. There is a "bar snack" menu served until 6.00pm, but the dishes are quite unusual, and probably not what most people would consider a bar snack. Certainly no sign of ham egg and chips, curry of the day or perhaps a pie of some sort.
Beers were TT Landlord plus Doom Bar. There was a third pump on the bar, so they may be planning something else. Ciders were Stowford Press and Symonds Founders Reserve.
I wish Nathan well and it's great to see my local open again. I hope he knows his market though, as I certainly wont be popping in for food too often.
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Pub currently being refurbished, and should be open in time for Christmas. It's been bought by the same people who've got Robin Hood's Retreat in Gloucester Road, so I've got high expectations!
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fingers crossed they find a buyer, sad times!
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Pub clod forsale sign up
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Great tasting pint of S A Tribute n cute barmaid = 8/10
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Cosy, quiet pub with great atmosphere. Fairly classy restaurant attached, specialises in fish, we've had a great roast beef Sunday lunch. Sometimes has folk singers - not normally our thing but they do seem to get in the best, sometimes have play along / singalong folk thing going.
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