The Moat House, Taunton

This is a great pub during the day - thankfully free of the terminal alcoholics and football-clad chavs that characterise so many venues' staple clientele. You can actually go for a light lunch and a pint without waiting an hour for your food while you're jostled by people that smell like they slept in a bus shelter. The beer is clean and served in branded glasses, and the two real ales on tap, normally Old Speckled Hen and one other, are served from pumps with glass chambers on the bar so you can see how clean they are before you buy.
The spirit selection offers what many bars consider premium products as standard - Chivas Regal, Bombay Sapphire and Finlandia instead of Bells, Gordons and Smirnoff, but without the surcharge you'd expect in many places.
The wine list can look expensive, but any wine drinker will tell you that the difference between a three pound bottle of Pinot Grigio and a ten pound bottle has to be tried to be believed.
J.P. and Jane go out of their way to offer the best products they can to compliment food that has no peer in any bar I've eaten in.
The food service is exceptional, more at home in a top hotel or restaurant - needless to say it only reflects the standards obvious throughout. One of those rare places you can take your friends or family for dinner, and not silently squirm as they half-heartedly pick yet another microwaved lasagne and garlic bread.
As the evening creeps on, the lighting and music change gradually into the background for a great night out, with upbeat, eclectic dance music from around Europe and Africa that never reaches levels where you're reduced to sign language or screaming to be understood.
The Moat is one of the rare chameleon bars that actually manages to hit every note. No, it isn't a 'traditional' pub - clean toilets prove that - instead it is the best example I've seen of a modern pub.

27 Feb 2007 13:45

The Moat House, Taunton

Since first recommending this place I've moved away, and found myself missing the perfectly cooked steaks and a large glass of the excellent 'Archidamo' every time a serious carnivore moment rears it's head.
And now I've been back.
Thank God it hasn't changed.

Sure the menu is new, and a couple of the accents behind the bar are different, but the standard is as high as ever. I just wish I had more opportunity to enjoy this great venue, where you can go in for an espresso and a cigarette while you read the paper, and end up staying for lunch and supper because you just can't resist after seeing the food walk past to other eager customers.

Still Great.

17 Feb 2007 15:40

The Moat House, Taunton

A fantastic bar/restaurant in the centre of town, offering that most unusual of things - a stylish bar with real personality. Playing great music from around the world - no chart cheese here! - it's chilled out daytime atmosphere gives way to a more up-tempo feel in the evening. The drinks are reasonably priced, with all premium spirits and fresh ingredients used in their range of well made and interesting cocktails. The staff are friendly, the service is excellent, and the food is simply the best in town, made from local ingredients wherever possible and reflecting the best seasonal produce available. Definitely the best place in Taunton to spend your money, as reflected by their ability to specify a strict dress code and expectations of good behaviour and still pack the place most evenings. Put on a nice shirt, grab your cash and have a great time.

25 Jun 2005 18:54