Woods, Dulvertonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Most people go to Woods for the excellent food, but there is also a small bar with 3 St Austell beers served on gravity. The HSD which we drank before our meal was as good as I've had anywhere and, being served on gravity, lacked the excessive head which is so common nowadays. It was also very good value, at �3 a pint.
Some previous comments have been critical of the owner, but we found him very pleasant and helpful in suggesting a wine from the massive wine list to go with our meal. I can only assume that a diner must have asked for some HP sauce or done something similar to annoy him.
Altogether a very pleasant place.
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A converted bakery which now advertises itself as a Dining Room and Public Bar. There seems to be an emphasis on food; the menu appears to be tempting without being pretentious like lots of such places these days. Three St Austell Ales (slightly unimaginative)all from the barrel behind the bar: Dartmoor, Tribute and HSD. The Tribute was fine, but served in a Magners glass which I don't particularly like; I was drinking it at the tables outside and passers by may have thought I was drinking 'cider' from Ireland (which has such a tradition of producing the drink, doesn't it!).
The interior is comfortable with a log fire fashioned from a beer barrel and the usual dead animals and hunting scenes on the wall so favoured by folk from Exmoor.
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I was ordered (yes, ordered) to leave this chi-chi establishment for daring to challenge, in rather blunt terms, a pint that was about 10% short. Of course any publican in a tourist area like Exmoor knows that 90% of the grockles will never question a short pint, so insisting that all you need to do is ask politely for a top-up is somewhat disingenuous. There's gold in them thar short pints.
anonymous - 24 Aug 2009 21:46 |
did not no the landlords name but moses says its paddy, he was very arrogant in the way he dealt with the customers, I was sitting in the corner and overheard a complaint and he dealt with it in a way that I personally believe is not right. the food was nice but quite dear. the bar man Will was very chatting and friendly, good mix of drinkers and eaters but very noise when it got past 10! don't argee with dr pangloss about the best pint it tasted as all the real ales tasted the same but just had different bar clip (maybe my palate is not what it use to be). overall disappointed for what it cost.
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About the best place for a beer in Dulverton, but if it's food you're after, you would be better of down at the Bridge
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A nice atmospheric bar / restaurant. Beers were served by gravity so were somewhat lifeless which was a pity.
The staff were young and relaxed and provided an informal but efficient service, young Polish girl was charming.
I have to agree with Moses about the "poncy" food which really needs to be sorted out to make this pub special.
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The landlord, Paddy Groves, comes with an impressive reputation, having previously owned and managed the Blue Ball @ Triscombe and the Fitzhead Inn.
With Woods, he treads ever nearer the restaurant side of the business, but has still retained a lively bar, with good beer and great wines. His staff are always attentive, friendly and polite - Will the waiter being a long serving legend.
One criticism - the food, whilst excellent, tends to be moving toward "poncy". One of my party's dishes included some form of "foam" - keep it real Paddy!!
Moses - 25 Nov 2008 17:14 |
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