The Royal Oak, Wootton Rivers

The Wadworth 6X here is an amazing �3.40 per pint. Back home in the Midlands, we rarely pay more than �2.05 a pint for real ale. In fact, there were protests when our local brew, Marston's EPA, went up from �1.95 to �2.05 a pint at my local (The White Horse in Norton, Stourbridge). They vowed not to increase the price afterwards and it has remained at that price for literally ages since. (19/07/2012 at the time of this writing). I think Wadworth's directors must be living the good life in The Maldives or on Barbados if they have to charge such wicked prices. Get a grip, I say or, real ale fans, move north and show 'em the error of their ways. �3.40 a pint - I ask you. Tell 'em where they can stick it. These are telephone directory prices! Wadworth, for Pete's Sake, get a grip!

19 Jul 2012 23:05

The Boot Inn, Flyford Flavell

We went for lunch today, Saturday 5th September. Speckled Hen & Adnam's Bitter on draught - what could be better?
A wife willing to drive home? Yes, that as well!
I know, I'm spoilt rotten! Well, for today, I was!

A Monday to Saturday lunch was 2 courses for �8.95 or 3 courses for �10.95.
Our starters were carrot & orange soup with lashings of seeded, brown bread & far too much butter than necessary and mine was pate with a fresh side salad and toast, again with oodles of butter! Both were huge and absolutely 5-star!
Our waitress was pin-sharp, attentive and so very polite.
Memorable.

Our mains were a large crayfish salad which was delivered in a huge, deep bowl and, as if it had come from a top-notch London restaurant, presented cylindrically and vertically - about 6 inches tall! It was such a magnificent structure that I wish I'd brought my camera! Mine was the local ham, egg & chips which was truly the best I'd eaten in ages.

Sadly, we couldn't manage a pudding though, looking back, I wish we'd have tried harder as I guess they would also have been first-class.

We thought it was one of the best luchtime pub meals we'd ever had - if not *the* best. We left a generous tip.

Shame there weren't more people eating here. The food is just magnificent and the beer is absolutely spot-on! We'll definitely go again and soon! A very, very memorable lunchtime and our compliments to the chef and staff.

5 Sep 2009 20:13

The Dodford Inn, Dodford

We went for a birthday meal, a real ale or two & a bite to eat yet had to choose from a miserable array of 2 wheat-type beers, a 'ginger beer' and just one proper bitter. The latter's name eludes me but it wasn't much cop.
We ordered two 'specials' from the blackboard and a pint and a half of bitter. It came to over �16. Ouch! Obviously this is not a cheap pub by any means.
The landlord, well, to be kind could have done with a decent haircut (to replace a very old, long ponytail) and a crisp, clean shirt and trousers would have been very worthwhile improvements especially in a place that serves food!
Landlord: nil points!

We got short measures in both our glasses, which, when asked, were quickly topped up but without any apology whatsoever.
Landlord: nil points!

Then he promptly sat down, put his feet on a pub stool and continued to watch TV very loudly whilst we were trying (but failing) to have a conversation with two customers we had just met! How rude was this?
Landlord: nil points!

When the food came, it was extremely basic. I'd ordered a chicken curry which was the most insipid food I'd had in decades. At �6.95, it was daylight robbery - you could have knocked it up at home for a pound! Cook: nil points!

For balance, my partner had a pasta dish which she simply said was "OK".

To be fair, he did ask us if we'd enjoyed our meals - but only as he took our plates away. Judging by the amount left on my plate - almost all of it - he needn't have asked! I perceive a dire training need here. The kitchens have been newly renovated to a high standard but now the landlord needs to find the right chef.

Sadly, I don't hold out much hope for the future of the Dodford Inn unless the management changes it lax attitude. It's a great shame as so much effort has been expended by so many people to enable this pub to be reopened. The present incumbents need to try much, much harder.

4 Sep 2009 22:50