The Eight Bells, Saffron Walden

This used to be a pub, and rather a good one. Large fires, good beer, pool table and a snug warm atmosphere. Then it was taken over briefly by a couple who only lasted a year or so and then passed onto the current owners. Who seem to believe that providing a Fulham type gastropub ambience and food- with prices to match will work in what is a not particularly well off town. The owners (backers?) also run the Plough at Shepreth where, once again, it seems to be run as a gastropub and not a pub. The food is alright- which is to say it's moderately well cooked, bloody slow to arrive, and really not worth the prices being charged. I went for a Sunday lunch, and after a 40 minute wait, a few glasses of wine and a pint, roast beef etc walked away having had to fork out �45. The beef was slightly over cooked, the plate itself was blisteringly hot (microwave heat?)- so hot the gravy was evaporating and the mustard arrived too late to be used. Nice idea but wrong part of the world, nice interior, nice setting, wrong pricing, menu and wrong ambience towards people who might just want to pop in for a pint. How long will the Eight Bells survive in its current incarnation?

20 Feb 2009 20:20

The Old English Gentleman (OEG), Saffron Walden

I used to like going here, and did so regularly. Then, when the White Horse and the 'Lizzie' closed, the clientele at the OEG did as well. I once spent New Years eve in this pub and was amongst friends, warm and friendly bar staff and a good time was had by all (cliche but true).
And then it started to get a bit, um, nasty. The last time I went a large pissed up thug came in, grabbed a guy at the next table by the throat and started to throttle him. I haven't been back, neither have most of my friends, or various groups of business colleagues who once stopped off in the OEG for a pint. Shame.

20 Feb 2009 19:59

The Bluebell Inn, Hempstead

Nice setting, clean, well run and welcoming. Scrubbed pine and Dick Turpins ghost at your shoulder. Never eaten here yet- and slightly put off by the food brouhah a while back but well kept beer, Aspalls (hooray) and papers at the weekend. Have managed to avoid the folk singers *puts finger in one ear* and am looking forward to going back here. How many pubs can you say that about?

20 Feb 2009 19:54