please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pub 5 of the 8 and this was the first of the evening 3.
I agree with a previous report that this is definitely more of a gastro-pub than a pub that sells food.
The front bar is small but has a few areas for seating, whereas the rear bar is very small with only three tables, of which 1 was spare so that was the area the four of us stood around.
3 ales on draught, the pint of light ale I had was very good, so no drink complaints.
Upstairs restaurant that was pretty busy at 7 o'clock on a Saturday night
I found the atmosphere to be fine but a bit quiet, thought my wife didn't like this pub much I thought it was fine but much less of a pub than the other 7 we visited.
Onto the Star next, the best pub in my opinion.
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This is a nice little pub, with well kept top-quality ales on tap. They tend towards the lighter ales. Unfortunately teh whole experience is ruine by a pretentious atmosphere and rather high prices. One look at the menu will tell you all you need to know.
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In many ways this is very much a gastro-pub, although fortunately not one that alienates drinkers. Whilst there was a copy of the daily changing menu on each table, that was as far as it went. The tables were not fully laid up for food like many other so called �pubs� that are in reality little more than restaurants.
Both the front and rear bars are quite small with only three of four tables in each. I assume there was probably a separate dining area elsewhere, otherwise the amount of space available seems to be somewhat out of kilter with the venue�s foodie aspirations. The floors are all reclaimed boards as is the vogue these days, there were good sized windows at the front of the bar, a selection of board games available and some art on the walls, much of it for sale.
Other indicators to the fact that it�s still a proper pub included an up and coming quiz night as well as details on the board about a wine club and a book club. Bar staff all seemed friendly, numerous candles around the place created a pleasant ambience and there was an extensive wine list chalked up on a board.
The menu was clearly of the gastro-pub genre as previously mentioned, although there was also a bar snack menu chalked up on a board. However, even though this included pub classics such as burgers and fish & chips, these were still mostly priced at around the �11 - �12 mark which I think is more than most people would expect to pay for bar snack. Some of the dishes such as a steak were nearer �20, and that was before you get on to the proper menu. This consisted of a reasonable selection of dishes, with most of the starters being around the �6.50 mark and the mains around �15. Whilst we enjoyed what we had, I couldn�t help feeling that they were perhaps trying a little too hard. Concentrating on the basics like lamb that wasn�t so fatty and avoiding fads like serving some of the dishes on wooden boards instead of plates would help � Jamie Oliver does this and it works well enough for a mixed platter of cold meat and cheese but when your pudding comes on one and the ice cream melts and dribbles off it�s not quite so effective.
Beers on tap were Keystone Large One, Dorset Gold, BBF No. 7 and Butcombe Gold. The solitary cider was Pheasant Plucker.
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Alas, this pub is I believe up for sale. I can only hope a suitable person or persons realises they have a winning formula if they stick to how it is presently.
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Walked past this several times, and assumed it was mostly a restaurant. However, called in on Sunday early evening, and pleasantly surppised by good beer and nice atmosphere. Was going to fill up with tables reserved for diners later, but catch it early and you can drink without feeling you are in the way
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The area around the King William may put a few people off - right on the London Road with the traffic snarling past, it's location is not the best, but to enter is to drift into another world. I haven't eaten here for several years, it has one of the best beer ranges in Bath for Christ Sake, and with the wonderful management and good knowledge, this is a place to go if you want a good pint or two. On on our last visit was the gorgeous, dark Bristol Exhibition and I would recommend that to anyone. Yes, the King William can lay claim to being small and often crowded, but compared to the Coeur De Leon and the Green Tree (both the same), it can stand up to any pub in Bath when it comes to a good, honest, interesting pint!
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We were looking for a meal in the area on easter saturday not too far from where we were staying otherwise would probably not entered as obviously a gastro pub but completely different atmosphere than the Garricks Head.
Otter ale was good but the food menu a bit odd. If you are hungary you will need a proper main at about �15. Other items although not listed as starters cost �8 for a duck leg (my choice). Tasty, more than a starter but could do with some chips for the price
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Not pleasant - it's a gastro pub next to the Longacre Tavern. Had the misfortune of seeing Jeremy Guscott in there once!
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A pleasant little gastropub (run by the same people as the Garricks Head).
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Another pub from the 7 pub crawl of Bath and as with the others a very friendly welcome. beer good if a little cold and food also looked of high quality although as in most of the other pubs seriously priced when all I wanted was a basic snack. Again as with the other pubs visited on my crawl a solid recommendation
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nice pub with a nice feel, however ale kept too cold... and why are the beer glasses kept in a fridge! Worth a visit though and will be going back.
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Albeit clearly pitching to the more upmarket customer now, this is an impressive and worthy refurbishment. The 4 ales are not only interesting and well-balanced, but served perfectly (maybe lose the chilled half-pint glasses though in Autumn!). There is evidently a top-class chef in residence as the menu comprises a mouth-watering range of French-inspired dishes, but using the best British ingredients to provide a contemporary and stylish twist on the notion of pub grub.
It is small, and I suspect booking is de rigueur in the evenings, but this is succeeds where so many others fail - it combines a modern, chic eatery with a sound bar atmosphere for discerning drinkers, and yet remains free of pretence.
A superb addition to the already stellar Bath pub scene.
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Really friendly, always some good guest ales. The cider's pretty good too. No bagged KP nutes, these are served by the cupful. Food is also very good, and very affordable.
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Recently refurbished with 4 locally supplied real ales which are always kept in good condition. Serves food which is also excellent. Been open a year & during this time keeps on improving.
Plays good music including lots of reggae.
Staff are very friendly.
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Another unlikely face lift, I remember this pub when it was full of rough and ready folk drinking luminous cider and sale of dubious wares were available in the main bar.
Sadly now a thing of the past - Another pub succumbed to the refit brigade, although the drug dealers won't be missed obviously.
TheGP - 16 Mar 2005 16:57 |
Small corner pub on the main road into Bath from the east. Recently had a much needed facelift and change of image. It's now slightly cafe/bar-ish, nice atmosphere, good range of beers including real ales. Sadly no alco-free beer, which won't bother most people but it does me when I'm the designated driver!
theory900 - 10 Dec 2004 15:19 |
