The Oxford Inn, Totterdown

Very, very shut. Some To Let signs though.

14 May 2009 17:18

The Star and Dove, Bristol

I could write three hundred words on this place and 70 of them would be positive, the rest would be heading downhill very fast. But still I quite like the S&D - so bear that in mind as you read this...

1. No beer. They notionally have three ales - in reasonable condition too. Except all three have run out on the two times I've visited. They also ran out of most of the lagers and both ciders too, both times.

2. The staff don't have a clue. Or most of them don't seem too, and they change constantly. They don't know which menu is on, if the restaurant is open, which beer is on, which table is which or how the till works. And they can't add.

And that is the ones who care. Some of them don't seem to care either...

3. The food is good. Confused but good. There are so many menus and nights that it seems all over the shop but it is all pretty nicely done.

4. The retro furniture and gastro-dressings are nice enough and the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. That might be because it is also mostly half empty.

Basically it is a basket case. It really doesn't know what it wants to be. Or, it did know but that business model didn't work. It is exactly the place that you see on Hell's Kitchen - it could be good - when someone sorts it out but at the moment it is pretty poor. Sorry.

19 Nov 2008 15:45

Ye Old Farm House, Bath

It's been re-opened again under new management. I can't comment as I haven't been there yet.

4 Jul 2008 11:55