The Dolphin Inn, Shrewsbury

I have visited on several occasions over past months, I still await my first viewing of the landlord who, I was told, is virtually never there regarding which I have added some comments below. Pub has been very well refurbished and bears the Joule's Brewery name. 2 separate rooms inside, very well appointed and comfortable, the bar area having an open fire and the other room a log burner. Terrace area outside with covered smoking section and several 'picnic bench' type seats. Locals are very happy to engage with you if you are not a regular. 3 Joule's beers on hand pulls along with 2 guests, Old Rosie cider and the usual array of keg offerings. On my most recent visit I sampled the 2 guests, Thornbridge's Kipling and Oakham's Scarlet Macaw. Both palatable but neither left me wanting another. Not sure what it was but just not quite right. There is a menu board but it jut said 'New winter menu coming, old menu food still available' (or wording to that effect). If you don't know what the 'old menu' food was you have to ask. Why can't they just sort out and publish the winter menu, surely only a matter of deciding what they are to put on, ensure they can source the ingredients and prepare the food and swap over from the summer menu to the winter one 'overnight'? However, On seeing the food that was ordered being brought to the table it did look really appetising and seemed to offer very good value for money. Referring again to the landlords infrequent visits. I think on the occasions I have been there I have been served by all of the staff members who for the most part are friendly and welcoming with the exception of the Scottish barman who I have witnessed being brusque and on 1 occasion downright unfriendly, bordering on insulting with a customer. He certainly needs to understand that he is in a service industry where his attitude to he customer is paramount. Perhaps the fact that he was drinking behind the bar affects his behaviour in this context? Perhaps if the landlord spent more time there the negatives I refer to above would be addressed. So all in all a good pub that I would recommend to anyone who has not been before despite the issues that need to be resolved which, once done, would I'm sure' push up it's average mark on this website.

14 Oct 2014 11:39