Nut and Squirrel, Westcroftback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A relatively modern pub in the corner of a supermarket car park, it lacks much in the way of any character but is nonetheless pleasant enough and includes a few picnic tables on a patio at the front as well as a covered smoking area.
Once inside the corporate look continues, and although this pub is part of the Ember Inn chain it might just as well be a Premier Inn or a Brewers Fayre. That’s not to say that there’s anything at all wrong with it though, it is what it is. Paintwork is a mix of burnt orange and grey with some pale brown wood panelling. Flooring is mostly carpet with a few tiles around the bar, and there was a gas fire burning away. The main bar area is at the front of the pub, with a restaurant off to the left. To the right is a slightly cosier area with some leather bench seating and wallpaper. Staff seemed friendly enough, and it was only really let down by some rather rowdy guys at the bar who seemed a little out of place in such a family orientated/dining establishment.
The food menu was extensive and consisted of a number of options divided in to sections such as burgers, pub classics, fish, chargrill, etc. Most of the main courses were somewhere around £8 or so, although many were also available as part of a “2 courses for £9.95” deal. My Chargrilled Salmon with Chowder Sauce was a generous portion, although not quite as tasty as I had hoped and the advertised “mixed green vegetables” consisted solely of beans. Together with a Millionaire Chocolate Brownie though, this was good value and I would happily return to try something else.
The most surprising aspect of this pub though was the beer choice, with no less than ten pumps on the bar and all but one being available whilst the other one was apparently just settling. Many of these were quite unusual, and tasting notes were helpfully provided on the tables. The range consisted of Roosters 41° South, Adnams Southwold, Adnams Explorer, London Pride, Stewart Zymic, Exmoor Ale, Downton Chocolate Orange Delight, Whitstable Bay, Lancaster Blueberry Ale and Sunny Republic’s Huna Red. After that lot, the cider choice was somewhat disappointing with just Strongbow and Aspall’s Suffolk.
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Does anyone remember Colin & Marion running this pub? I used to work for them years ago. Would be nice to get in touch.
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There is a good selection of real ales on that are kept well. usually 4-8 on pump.
Staff are so-so; depends on who you get; some seem more interested in their conversation than serving you others are very knowledgeable and are always happy to recommend one of the guest ales if you can't make your mind up.
Since the last re-fit, where they split the pub into a bar and "dining room" the drinking area is always quite crowded, which can make it quite noisy. Oh, and now they lets kids in, which is a shame...
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yeah a good boozer, id certainly go there again, ideal if you fancy a swift half whilst the other half does the grocerys. As a previous poster said , its a bit souless, but definately worh a visit, its out the way a bit from the main hustle and bustle of everday regular pubs, but beer is superb, Ales are worth visiting for alone.
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THE PLACE IS FULL OF SMOKE, WE HAD 2 NICE MEALS IN THE PLACE, BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH SMOKE WITHOUT THERE BEING A FIRE. THE GIRL WHO SERVED OUR MEALS WAS SUPER FRIENDLY
anonymous - 22 Feb 2007 18:48 |
Pleasant enough but soul-less
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An Ember Inn, so I guess you know what to expect. Quiz Night's on Wednesdays and Sundays. The staff are friendly,. The no-smoking area is very small. Beer OK, Nothing really springs out to be recommended. Just your good every-day local boozer.
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Lovely Pub,, Lot better than it used to be. Part of the Ember group so you dont have little anckle bighters running around and flicking boggies any more. Safe enviroment,comfortable seating,none smoking area and spotless toilets.Excelent relief manager in there at the moment (a Sunderland fan) but we will not hold that against the pub. Safeways is next door so let your wife shop and you pop in for a swift one and start talking about football to the relief guy and have an amazing pint of Guinness.
Spurs Fan - 22 Jun 2004 00:23 |
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