Hotel Du Vin, Cheltenham

Why on earth would anyone rate this hotel/restaurant/bar poorly unless they visited on an off day? Mind you, I have to admit the food is top dollar, as is the wine, in the restaurant. But play the game and you have a wonderful visit. We go there for a pint of Cheltenham-brewed beer, which is served pleasantly room temperature - but in a frozen pewter tankard which is a whole new taste sensation. And it IS pricey for a pint; but you get a complimentary bowl of cashews and olives if you sit there long enough. And lovely staff, who really understand service. The place for the discerning in Cheltenham, especially for the bar rather than the restaurant which is standard Hotel du Vin - expensive, tasty, but not life changing.

4 Feb 2009 19:29

Highnam (Toby Carvery), Over

PS Ironically the dogs DID get sick the next day, in both families. Although in fairness I felt nothing worse than bilious myself.

4 Feb 2009 19:24

Highnam (Toby Carvery), Over

I had the worst meal out in my life in this hole. As a vegetarian I got a pile of veg I couldn't see over and nothing else as I couldn't face the soggy pasty that was offered. Maybe I was unlucky, but the standard of food was appalling. I was there with an elderly relative who prefers carvery so we had to suffer in silence, it was his birthday. After a terrible meal, from cold food to fizzy beer to the offer of bread and butter with the roast meal, I tried to fold up some fat and left-over veg from the plates to take home for the dogs. This is normal practice with dog lovers and usually provokes nothing more than mild surprise (yeah I know it' s a bit uncouth, but I'm not proud). Anyway I was presented with a disclaimer form to sign in case I took it home, reheated it badly for my supper (!) (shreds of unidentifiable fat and gristle) and got sick. Disgusting, everything I dreaded about a chain carvery brought to life in one lunchtime. Oh and you can't book there, so we sat in the garish, noisy bar with kids running around bouncing off tables and old people coughing their guts up in banquettes from 12.05 until 2pm before a table was ready - the real (saddo) pros get there at 11.30 and form a queue.

4 Feb 2009 19:22

Glass House Inn, May Hill

Lovely lovely lovely. True local. Great beer. A bit of over-kill (literally) with the hunting memorabilia but then the local set meets here I think. Had a wonderful stop on a Sunday lunchtime - maybe it was just because of the hunt but it was open - everyone very picturesque and tipsy, like straying into someone else's private party. Bit of a schlepp from civilisation but think I'll make the effort in the summer.

4 Feb 2009 19:10

The Beehive Inn, Cheltenham

Love this place, love the Bath Ales and the scruffy inside but the food's great and the atmosphere lovely. One of the best in Cheltenham and in the lovely Suffolks area to boot.

4 Feb 2009 19:02