please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now called the apple and Carrot. A large sign outside (from Punch Taverns) asks "Interested in running this pub?" Clearly the person currently running it isn't (interested) as it was closed today at 2 pm, so unable to comment on the service provided.
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Due to open again any day soon, and guess what? they are changing the name back to the Moat House. However the new operators are only a temporary arrangement to expect it to either close or change hands again soon.
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As said, this has been called the apple and parrot for some time now, and just recently has gone bust and closed down. serves them right for giving what was once a great pub such a stupid name. I guess it will be sold and reopened. Only hope the new owners change the name back to the Moat House and run it as a proper pub again.
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Now known as the apple and parrot pub chain bar.
The building from the outside looks pleasant but once inside i expected it to be bigger.
My pint of ale was awful and was off i should have had a cider as this place is a cider drinkers heaven with all kinds of loopy juice behind the bar.
Just not my kind of place really.
3/10
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Nowhere nearly as busy as it should be. Sad to think that this place was once top of the BITE league tables but that was a long time ago. Now it cant even get the local chavs through the door although clearly it is they who the owners are marketting the place at.
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Been here a couple of times since the re-launch as the Apple and Parrot (or vice versa). Has had the guts ripped and been re-designed. Pretty good effort with a bar upstairs aswell. Has been opened by the 'Mambos' group in anticipation of the Castle Green development affording the establishment some nice summer outside space (as opposed to sitting staring at fag smoking taxi drivers at the front of the building). Live entertainment on my last visit - a couple of lads with electric acoustic guitars. Has one real ale on the go. Cotleigh Tawny on the night I visited, if I remeber correctly. Well kept - no complaints. Best of luck to them. I hope the schedule of the developers allows them to exploit the summer of 2012, rather 2013. They do seem to be dragging their heels a bit!
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Open again, with a new name, which I can't remember! How long for this time, I wonder!
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A lick of paint inside and new signage outside. On recent visits there were customers in and buying. The foot was edible.
Unfortuantely, this may have come too late, as premises have been shut daytimes and early evening for past week.
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sorry to upset you but no where do we advertise closing times on food EXCEPT our sunday lunch which is obviously served on a sunday (hence the name)
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Despite advertising food until 4:00, the doors were shut and locked at 3:00
They are obviously keen to keep the undesirables out (ie anyone wanting to spend money)
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Closed again at 5:30 in the afternoon, just as people are leaving work and after a pint or two.
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All of the customers have now been weeded out; no one left. Expect the "closed" signs to be up soon.
So much for the owners experience of turning round failing pubs.
This was once the top pub on BITE believe it or not.
There have been 5 owners in the 2 years since then; bring on number 6
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sail, youre a big fibber.
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To woo!
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To whit?
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im a supplier and a customer of this establishment, not the owner or a staff member. glad to see trade increasing and thankyou for the continued and expanding orders!! look forward to supplying your other establishment too!!
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It would seem that the previous post was made by the owner or member of staff. a give away.
I dont understand the bit about weeding out bar bores; in this place they're lucky to get anyone at the bar. As for the restricted opening hours as a means to keep out the undesirables, maybe, but having the pub closed tonight (wednesday) at 8:30 means that everyone is put off.
This place will not last much longer; mark my words.
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hey, what an improvement.!! fantastic menu not only on the 2 for a tenner but sunday lunches too. Also nice place for couples wanting good quality wines.
Love the livelier karaoke and disco nights too!
cant understand why there has been negative comments?? landlord v experienced in turning around failing pubs, thats why the brewery wanted him!! pleased to see he is weeding out the bar bores too!! restricting opening hours does that!! there are enough pubs in taunton serving the undesirables .
great to see you are supporting young people with special needs, ignore the horrible comments about them and keep training them up. They need people like you!
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Well it's still open...just!
I know it's politically incorrect but apart from the landlady are any of the staff not obese or a few cocktails short of a party or both? Whatever I order there's either a problem or I have to repeat it about 3 times.
It's only loyalty to the MH's past glories that make me return. Current operators: buck up your ideas or the closed sign will be back!
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This pub has recently changed hands for about the 5th time in the 12 years that I have lived in Taunton. Popped in on Wednesday night to be confronted with an empty bar; the landlady and barmaid seemed very surprised to see us. Three handpumps available but disappointing range, comprising Butcombe, the ever present Doom Bar and a spare. Two pints of Butcombe were ordered, after pulling through the new barrel, my drink (the second one served) was fine, however my associate remarked that the quality of his was poor. Worth another try in busier times perhaps?
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Went in here recently-hardly anyone in here-tried to engage with the landlord but he was pretty un-engaging-and it became apparent why there was no-one in there. I used to really like this place when it had a good chef and plenty of atmosphere-shame.
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Doesnt it just really piss you off when you arrange to meet friends at a pub, only to find the place is closed, purely because the owners cant be bothered to open. And then they compalin that they atre going out of business. THEY DESERVE TO.
Here's a hint Fatso. Get your fat arse in gear and open the effing doors
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A pint of ale on new years eve certainly got rid of that post christmas constipated feeling.
The seemed to be a large gay crowd in here tonight; hope this is not going to be the shape of things to come.
Top marks to the pint sized barmaid, just about the only member of staff who knew what to do, 100% efficient.
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Popped in for a cheeky one on a Saturday morning when I had time to kill. A nice pint of beer to be had, and as lunch time approached, it began to fill with eaters. However it just misses that certain Pzzazz. Good to have another place in town that serves decent beer though.
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This place opened up again a couple of weeks ago, although it was very quiet when I went in to check it out, so quiet infact that I was the only one in there; they seemed somewhat suprised when I entered.
I went there again on a Sunday evening but they were closed at 10.pm. I thought m,aybe they had gone bust already but it was just that they couldn't be bothered to stay open; not the best way to generate a loyal customer base. I will have to check it out again.
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This place must have closed 5 times in the 11 years I have lived in Taunton. Will these people ever realise that Taunton doesn't need another youngsters theme pub, just somewhere for the older person to enjoy some good ale, something that is very rare in Taunton
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i went back in there the weekend (May bank holiday) just back got from afgan had a few wets and a meal with the wife . love the place great food this time well done. Doorstaff crap no smiles personalty of a couple of house bricks. but great pub, great food,just get someone desent on the door please ......
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My Fiancee and I have had two fabulous meals at The Moat House. It really is truely home made food with a twist.
We totally disagree with the review below this one. It would appear it has been poorly researched. Their huge steak dinner, which is advertised at �75.00 is a sponsership for Help for Heroes. ALL the money goes to the charity.
The Chef cures his own Gravalx with a fablous side sauce with fresh dill. As for Sunday lunch, well all I can say is superb. Home made Yorkshire, fresh vegtables served on the side and the tenderest beef I have experienced for a very long time.
The lady behind the bar was genuinely friendly and nothing was too much effort.
We both wish you the very best of luck and we will most certainly return in the not too distant future.
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small & boring
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ive just heard its closing down again? wots going on in taunton at the moment im not back till April is there going to be anywhere for me and the lads to get some wets? dont want to go to the perkin with all the other dross come on taunton sort it out please
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yeah.. not great at the moment. Still nice interior but lost that modern cosmopolitan feel, hasnt really developed anything in its place. It does get pretty full with drinkers but not the same sort as a few years ago. Got a bit more of a chain pub feel to it now. Staff are not very inviting and dont expect to get good cocktails. But as a neither here nor there drinking venue its still ok, location and nice building make up for pitfalls in the rest.
Dont bother with food.. small menu that isnt executed well. My advice to the owners is to send the "chef" to a good pub/restaurant to see that having a square plate and knotting chives into an arrangement ontop of a dry salad next to a small overdone steak does not a good meal make..
Keep it simple! Fresh local produce cooked well! stick to pub food classics!
Dont try to be a gastropub when clearly its going very wrong!
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Another change of owners, and yet another step down in the quality and proficiency of the bar.
Very un-professional staff who look like they've been dragged off the streets of Roman Road, and have no clue about making a decent drink. The food was rubbish. Something I'd expect from the Perkin Warbek, not the once booming Moat House.
The Plough is a great alternative, friendly staff, and a wide selection of local real ales and ciders. Shame there isn't any music though.
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the wife went in there sat night, she said the doorstaff were rude and she had to squeeze throu the door as they didnt move to let them in, im back in afgan now so dont know wots happening in toy town at the mo will be home in jan so hope its still a nice place to go out.
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back in Taunton from Afgan went in there on sat with the lads. great venue nice staff, manager seems nice lad (for a bog trotter) lol... Doorstaff good lads esp the small one. good beer looks like its gonna be my second home for 10 days.... cheers..
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It's amazing how Dr_Pangloss can make all these smart comments but cant say them to the staff and owner in the pub. We would love to no who you are.
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Karri bloody oki ? How naff can you get
This place was once a sophisticated cosmopolitan venue, Now it's just a piss poor chav venue.
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went in again on sat night it was great. alot of the old crowd were in there it was a good night. maybe Dr pangloss should come round my house and babysit my kids so me and the wife can go out more and enjoy the pubs we have in taunton instead of slagging them ALL off.
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Thought I'd give it a second chance, so called in for lunch earlier in the week, it doesn't bode well that they can't spell Caesar Salad ..... still a very unfriendly welcome from hatchet face so we went around the corner to The Castle Inn, had a pleasant lunch, a couple of decent glasses of wine and friendly service.
mm101 - 26 Jun 2009 16:37 |
Went in here saturday at 8pm and it was empty-perfectly decent venue and chef a pleasant chap- no idea why it is so dead- Taunton seems to be lifeless in the centre why does no-one go out to Moat House, Firestone, Pitcher and Piano etc- answers on a postcard please!
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went in again on saturday night had a great time. 2 new doorstaff were great very chilled out. looks like the place is getting back slowly to when JP and jane had it. we then went to the perfect 5th fantastic night had by all....
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This place now resembles a back street Dublin boozer with no atmosphere, rude staff, lighting turned down to a minimum and no food. I can see why the Irish dragon landlady could not run a pub in her own country. Call in St George to get rid of the dragon and put her out of her misery. Try the Pitcher and Piano opposite or even the bar in the bingo hall!
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I would just like to say Dr_Pangloss if you dont like the misery guts that owns the racehorse y come in. As far as im aware the only decent pubs left in taunton is The racehorse and the moat house.
Jane on the other hand thinks she can pull any guy. Owes Thousands of pounds to a long list of people and never knew what she was doing from the start.
It makes the laugh the way people make judgements within the first 2 weeks of opening it shows the brains
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Dr Pangloss do you like any pubs you go in? ive been in the moat a few times over the last week and i like the place. yeah the landlady takes a bit of getting use to but hey its better than that last Dragon that flirted with every bloke in a suit that might help her political career. as for the doorstaff i found them to be very polite.
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Oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear.. popped in one eve last week, after waiting with great anticipation of the re-opening of my (and my friends) favourite pub in taunton, one that we have supported for over four years, up until a lame tory councillor screwed things up for everyone.
Had such great expectations, which is such a shame, as now just feel let down by taunton nightlife.
The new landlady has absolutely not one iota of charm or personality, the doormen, whilst doing their job, and being polite made no attempt to open the door for us, nor welcome/greet us into the establishment upon arriving. When we mentioned this (in joking) to the landlady we were met with a torrent of abuse!!!
"Charm school, she did not attend".
Will not be going to this pub again, unless we hear that the pub has again changed hands.. we are so disappointed it is untrue, as this was the best pub in Taunton for a few years.
Jane & Jp for all their faults, knew how to run a busy pub with some charm and personality.
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Re-opened again. Went in on saturday. I felt a nice vibe and atmosphere straight away and you can see the change in style of managment straight away.
Glad it has been taken over by people who know what there doing and i think this place is definitely on the right track .
Staff are very friendly and the uniform is a good idea and looks smart. Will definitely be back.
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Well this place has opened up again.
Not a great place for ale drinkers; they had 3 different ales but none of them had been conditioned properly and as a result were bland and tasteless. Much the same could be said of the music: Boy George Michael Jackson etc.
Door security seem inept.
Perhaps worth a second visit to see how things develop, but first impression do not augur well
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A sad outcome to a once thriving bar... I wouldn't expect any more from a tory councillor
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Brazz is a decent little bar which my wife and I frequent from time to time-cosy atmosphere and a lack of 'doughnuts' invading your space which has been all too common in other places around the town.
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Agree with what Hammers has to say about the sudden decline of this once worthwhile bar into at best mediocrity, and of the waste of so many other good pubs in Taunton due to incompetence.
I would also suggest that along with the guys at perfect 5th, Braz is also worth a vistit.
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I am at a loss to understand why such prime locations such as the Moat House, Pitcher and Piano, Firestone are doing so badly? Lovely old buildings, decent area of Taunton, limited competition now so many other pubs have closed down. It cant just be the recession as other places are ding ok-it must sadly be down to poor ownership/management, no vision or imagination, a total lack of undersatanding what the customer wants-just expecting people to roll up and pay �3 for a lousy pint and poor food and service is not good enough anymore. The Perfect 5th seems to have the right idea and fair play to the two owners for having a bit more innovation than the usual dross served up in Taunton-the town has gone to the dogs!
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Well, in reply to some of your comments regarding my initial thoughts on the new Moat House image.
Firstly, I'd like to point out the fact that the Moat House seems to have shut down. Whether this be because of the lack of soul, fine wines, good food, or decent music; I'm not going to comment.
Secondly, I have been a very regular visitor to the Moat House over the last 4 years. When I say regular I mean on or off once a day, and spent a lot of time there on the weekend evenings.
The demise in atmosphere may well be a result of the economic down turn, personally I very much doubt it. The Plough seems to still be thriving with activity!
It's a great shame JP and Jane had to leave; but one thing I am grateful for is the fact they taught me and a lot of other people the importance of accepting only the best when it comes to food and drink. Something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
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Closed again this evening (Friday) when I arranged to meet up with a crowd of friends. This place is absolutely hopeless.
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i liked the look of this pub. however, i really didnt like the staff they were really unfriendly. this was because as soon as she saw me she practically shouted for "ID". i was thinking wow no need to shout man!!! :( this rather riuned the atmosphere for me so i took all my friends to the upstairs to get away from the staff. its a shame that they were so rude as i really do like the look of this pub and would have gone back if it wasnt for their bad manners.
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since jane and jp have gone the place has gone to the dogs! i always eat in there when im back and i had a meal there a few weeks ago and it was awfal! there were only 10 people in there and still had to wait half an hour for food! what a joke! when it did come the steak myself and my girlfriend ordered were completely wrong and tuff as old boots. in general its all shit! come back jane and jp and save the place!
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It's strange to think that this pub used to consistantly be in the BITE top ten. Strange, but true. The previous owners obviously knew what they were doing. They seemed to be very popular with customers and provided excellent service and were always going to be a hard act to follow.
That being so it seems strange for the new owner to employ a barman who was sacked by the old regime, and then allow him to stand behind the bar telling customers how useless, lazy and incompetant the old owner were.
This will not endear the new owner JayneOB and her staff to the old regulars, or do anything to encourage them to return. In point of fact it will do (and has done) the complete opposite.
As for the quality of the products, these are at best run of the mill, which is more than can be said for the music.
The fact of the matter is that taking the staff to visit breweries will not make them provide good service. If they do not know what good service is they should be working at wetherspoons.
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Please allow me to introduce myself, I�m a man of wealth and taste
I�ve been around for long, long years, Stole many mans soul and faith�.
I plead �not guilty� when it come to the Moat House, unfortunately its soul went with the last owners. There is no point of interest like before in this place, neither the selection of drinks or quality of food even less the originality of the music and standard of service. Came for lunch to try my luck one last time this week, but half of the already limited menu wasn�t available, so I have been left contemplating the �fanny� shape flower wallpaper (I know, I should visit my analyst more often) with a tasteless/off glass of �wine� and a tinny �Best of Michael Jackson � as a background.
You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes you might find
what you need.
Didn�t find it here.
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Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm the new landlady at The Moathouse and have been reading your comments & postings with interest. Obviously it's disappointing to see so many negatives, but the feedback is really useful, so please, when you're in, ask to see me, so I can take on board specifics about what you feel is wrong and exactly how in your eyes we can put things right.
No we haven't gone out of business, we are currently closed on Sundays, as were the previous owners and yes in January we reduced our trading times to ensure the viability of a difficult trading month, in addition I took the staff off to breweries, suppliers etc for product quality training in preparation for the new stocklist.
But you're right, atmosphere isn't something I can create by decor or the fabulous new range of spirits and wines, we need you the customer to enjoy coming in and feel we are giving you good service, good value and a good time. So, once again, I welcone you to call in, have a drink and a chat and I hope we'll be able to make things better.
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Went to have a look on sunday 1 Feb- closed. Taunton seems to be dying on its backside in the pub trade
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Has the new owner gone out of business already? Every time I go there it seems to be closed.
As a council tax payer I only hope she can run the council better than this pub.
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This place used to have a fantastic ambiance, serving excellent quality food and drinks but since the take over few months ago by the new landlady, most of things went down the drain. Thank God , she kept those two great doormen but unfortunately that is it. My advice to her is to focus on her political career as a Tory councillor for Taunton and stay on the customers side of the bar
Mel73 - 20 Jan 2009 09:34 |
In less than two months this place has gone from First Class to Third Rate.
A shame reaaly but there you go!
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The moat house has always had a good atmosphere and great interior, has the chef returned as food used to be great?
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I have to disagree with dr pangloss.Before the new owner took over nov 08.No d.j,insepid green in colour,no heating ,no smiling staff.The pub now has d.j,heating, colour,smiling staff,dancing and laughter.Its busy friday and saturday and we never get any negative comments.Saying all that,i have just checked your other comments about other pubs and its all negative.Dont worry i have the solution move to Bristol.
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I remember this place as being a really stylish place, but the new owners dont seem to have much of a clue and have really dumbed down.
It seems they are aiming to be mediocre and bland and no doubt that is how the pub will end up.
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In reply to Taunton56,how long is it since you been in The Moat.Since the change ownership nov 2008 there has only ever been live dj both friday and saturday.Fact.Before nov 2008 there has not been a dj for over a year.How do i know this im one of the door men and have been there 2 years.Now what you will notice is staff that smile, better priced drinks,heating that is switched on.Oh and a atmosphere and ambience which has not been seen for eighteen months.
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I heard Gordon Ramsay is popping in to show them how to cook?
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I have to disagree with the last comment, I used to love the Moat House but stopped going after the previous owners stopped the live music and everyone serving seemed really glum. Me and my girlfriend have been in for the last two weekends and its really upbeat, clean, the staff are smiling and friendly and the dance floor is full, with people dancing on both floors. The new owner is really nice too, she makes an effort to talk to all her customers rather than glare at them, yes it's all a bit girly, even the gents smells nice! But you feel really welcome. Far from playing CD's on a loop, theres a DJ there on both friday and Saturdays. Thankfully they are no longer playing dance music so loud you can't hear yourself think, instead they put on the sort of thing that gets everyone both sides of the bar dancing. We had a great time and look forward to heading back again tonight, it's an adult venue definately not a grungy bar anymore. Havent tried the food yet, but look forward to it.
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The Moat House has always been my first choice when considering eating out, a quiet drink, or meeting decent people; it has always been full of life and something very fresh for such a small town thanks to the influences of world foods, music, and culture.
Unfortunately since the change of ownership recently I fear that, the fresh and unique warmth that the Moat House once offered is going to slowly slip away, and will become yet another venue on the growing list of bland, un-imaginative bars that seem to be springing up all over the south west.
The weekends that used to be full of people dancing around the tables to the unique sounds that were played by the dj's; have now been filled with non-descript CD's looped from behind the bar by people who blatently know nothing about music!
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Does anyone know if the Moat House has changed hands?? It seems to have changed a bit over past while! Anyone eaten there lately? Any good? Thank you :-)
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Back to being called the moathouse again! Had a paint job and tidy up, a decent enough place for a pint, nice decor and ambience
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Sorry that should be "staff now smile and serve".
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Much improved since its (limited) makeover. Staff now smile and server. Great food and chilled out atmosphere makes it a great place for a lunch break to forget the stresses of the day at the office.
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Got the shock of my life here yesterday!
My wife wanted a drink, so we popped in for a quick slurp.
Tonic water for her, and a glass of rioja for me, as no time for a beer. Eight quid!
Wine was OK, but for that price I expect a bottle.
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I've upped my rating after 2 recent visits. Ordinarily I don't have food or wine at a pub but I did at this one and had two very enjoyable meals.
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It lost more than its mojo, it lost its name. The sign says: The Globe
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That should read "lost its mojo"
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This was decent bar, not pub, but it seems to have it mojo a bit. No real complaint, but it seemed a to have lost a bit of its liveliness.
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great atmospheric litt;e bar, the chef is coming back soon after a refurb apparently, he was very good before, looking forward to his return
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Good bar, amazing wine selection, lovely food. Sound system v.good, atmosphere is nearly always charged. Yes, most of the staff are foreign, but I think it adds to the continental atmosphere actually!
One of the best bars in Taunton. Shame that last time I was there a 'For Sale' sign was dominating the outside...
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Asked for coke, served diet coke, complained. Barmaid rude. Asked to see manager ... not available! Asked to taste, think the 3(!!!) barstaff were all diabetic, but there was no sugar in my coke!!
Polish or sign language would of been handy, but English got me nowhere! God save our Queen!
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A large for sale sign outside has deterred the staff from serving...two people waiting at the bar and the staffg continue their mothers' union meeting....I would tell you about the time I had, but then I walked out!!
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Returned Sat eve last,a far busier experience,with the "better-heeled" rather than "well-heeled" 30somethings of Taunton having their Pinot Noirs and Voddy and Red Bulls and reminiscing on what school in Marlborough was like. (Sniff sniff,I can smell bullshit....)
3 blokes and one lass behind bar,one barman too fast for his own good,only interested in serving those coming in the door rather than those already at the bar with empty glasses in hand.... Little sweet (polish?) girl from previous visit saves the day,even remembers I was drinking Tribute not Speckled Hen,ale a bit cold,time to turn the cooler up a peg for the winter. Bizarre music blaring,though not unpleasant. Rating unchanged.
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Have to say before my review that I can understand how this pub could,or should,be in the Top 10,but just can't understand why... Last poster has it correct.
Visited Monday 24th,Old Speckled Hen and St Austell Tribute were the ales,served through excellent (and rarely seen) transparent beer engines. Greeted with a smile by a pleasant (Polish?) young lady,a well filled and high quality pint of Tribute was had (�2.60). It was so refreshing to see the barlady and her work colleague industriously cleaning behind the bar-unlike the usual view of the the staff chatting on their mobile or doing a sudoku!!! Good looking selection of wine,along with some fancy lagers. Nice looking sofas around the walls.
However I was the only one in at 9PM on a Monday. Like I said I could fine little wrong with this pub,but Top 10? (If I had to fault the place all I could say is 1) Mind the step on the way out and 2)dont hit the target in the gents urinal or it'll get you back in the eye!!!)
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Strange, not bad, just strange.
anonymous - 6 Sep 2007 12:45 |
Attended a very interesting quiz here last night.
Alas we didn't win, but it still made for a very enjoyable evening.
Makes a change from the usual pub quiz.
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There aren't many decent pubs in Taunton. The fact that the town can support 2 wetherspoon pubs say a great deal.
However this has got to be about the best of the lot.
The chef is French, and he certainly knows his stuff judging by tonights visit.
There is the usual assortment of different accents from the bar staff, but at least they can all speak English, which is more than can be said of some of the pubs in Taunton (including those that don't employ foreigners).
Easy to see why it's been in the top ten for so long.
Well worth another visit.
anonymous - 15 May 2007 22:41 |
I thought I'd give this place a try after reading so much about it.
It's certainly different. Maybe not to everyone's taste, but maybe that's just as well
I didn't eat there but the menu looks good, beer was fine, service exceptional.
A bit of a shock to leave the place and find yourself still in Taunton.
I went in on a sunday night when the quiz was on, but was too late to join in unfortunately.
Must return next week.
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This is a great pub for a pint on your own in the day, or out with friends at night. Music taste in here is spot on - jazz, funk, latin, and moves up a gear or too in the evening, far too urban and cosmopolitan for Taunton ! Wine list is excellent, beers are as they should be. This place is head and shoulders above any other place in town.
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Great quiz on a sunday night.
As with everything to do with this pub, even the quiz has a touch of class about it.
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Is it a bar or a pub? How do you draw the distinction? Is it a matter of decor? Clientele? Drinks selection? I don't know I could write the rules. But that doesn't stop me from declaring this one more of bar than a pub.
If you want to have a drink in Taunton this is certainly one of the better spots. This would be a fine bar/pub anywhere. However, being in Taunton that means it floats to the top.
We've had lunch here several times. The food is always good, but make sure you get some fries as they are the best in Taunton. They could pass for fries in Flanders.
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They have now also started to sell St. Austel Tribute, and a very nice pint it is too.
anonymous - 24 Mar 2007 22:50 |
Very Nice Building & A Great Pint Of Adnams To Be Had,9/10,Prob Best Pub In Taunton,Always Has Been Always Will Be!!
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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.
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Great place to eat drink and enjoy ones self/ It somehow manages to be a pub, a restaurant and a wine bar all in one. The cask ales are all well kept and the wine list if fantastic.
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From my recollection, aside from the Adnams, the place had the usual nitro-keg glop as well as the standard collection of wines one would expect at an average bar, although very expensive for an outpost such as Taunton.
The layout of the place, including the first floor, made it spacious enough, but it just felt a little too contrived and orchestrated. In general, it seems to be trying to fuse a pub, wine bar and restaurant into one and not really managing to be any. That is not to say it is a hovel, but merely a distinctly average drinking establishment, even if these gushing, one offs postings are complimented by unnecessarily verbose and disjointed entries.
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Highly recommended
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Nice and relaxing place for having lunch but can be very busy with some delay on food, so I do advice to book. Candle light dinner at night
Excellent range of wine and high standard continental service make this place my first choice for my time out day and night time.
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To fully appreciate this great place you'll have to pay a visit.
When you do, you'll be sure to take note of the artistic, multicultural influences, friendly staff and the simply outstanding contemporary menu.
A refreshingly unpretentious success.
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Have visited a number of times recently when in the area. It is pretty much the only place to go in Taunton.
The wine list is the best in Taunton by a "country" mile & the steaks are superb! Yes, Taunton is in "the sticks" & this place isn't really a pub, but so what?! If you go to any establishment in Taunton, I recommend this one
rich. - 22 Feb 2007 14:51 |
I am so agree with Aleking, this place is not a pub... and thanks God for that, the red chairs (and the whole place) are far too clean... :)
Well done to the people who run it..
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Red...
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Not a pub. Only served Adnams when I went there. One of those typical, quasi, London-wannabe bars that you get out in the sticks.
It's fine, but simply having read comfortable chairs doesn't make it a top-drawer establishment.
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Visited several times last year, when on holiday in these parts. A great pub - glad to see it getting recognition.
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just about as good as a pub gets. excellent beer, fanastic food, super efficient staff. just about everything about this place is great.
Please j.p. stay in Taunton.
This is not the best pub I've ever been to, but it's pretty damm close
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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.
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This pub has a lot of significance for me - I met my fianc� when he worked here, and proposed to him at table 16, but it's only since we've moved to Bristol that I've realised just how good the Moat House really is.
Despite the large range of upmarket cocktail bars and restaurants nearby, we haven't managed to find anything like the standards of excellence J.P. and Jane consistently maintain through attention to detail and sheer hard work.
Yes, that's them running about like lunatics on a Saturday lunchtime.
So go and see what a pub can be with a little vision and a lot of effort - I guarantee you'll be going home wishing they'd franchise to your home town.
Oh, and try the club sandwich - the best I've had on two continents.
Wifey - 17 Feb 2007 12:08 |
The food here is amazing, the service is second to none and the atmosphere is great! Also the pub quiz on Sundays is a good laugh and what makes it even better is that it is extremely unique from any pub quiz I've been to before!!!
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The food is amazing, the drinks were amazing and the whole pub is just amazing the people behind the bar need to cheer up a bit but i expect thats because they have been working hard. The chefs i saw who kept coming in and out of the kitchen were polite to customers and smartly dressed. The food is the best around taunton cause there is no competition really cheers everyone who work there!!
anonymous - 16 Feb 2007 11:05 |
"If you read the previous comment by the D.J.'s sister you will be able to imagine the sort of prats they are likely to be"
With regards to this blatant disregard of manners and intelligible argument, I would to make a point as one the resident dj's here. All of us try to make the very best use of our experience to trawl dozens of sources for many hours to compile the ethnically influenced house music we play. That said, there is no way you can please all tastes all the time but this is without doubt one of the best quality sets in the area, and provides and energetic atmosphere for the weekend visitors to the pub.
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This is a superb pub, if that is the right description. A genuine 'chameleon' bar that is many things to many people. Jean-Philippe and Jane are excellent hosts and their team members are all friendly and exceptionally well trained. There should be one of these bars in every town!!
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Went out for a beer this evening forgetting that this place always closes for 2 weeks in January. Instead I went for a mini pub crawl around town looking for somewhere where I could get a decent pint. Couldn't find anywhere; all full of drunken idiots.
You don't realise how good this place is until you have to go somewhere else. It's a shame that we need a Frenchman to show us Brits how to run a pub properly. Ce la vie!
anonymous - 5 Jan 2007 00:33 |
Gets let down by the friday and saturday night discos.
If you read the previous comment by the D.J.'s sister you will be able to imagine the sort of prats they are likely to be, and the sot of chavs they're likely to attract. Otherwise it's a great bar for the diserning drinker. The antithesis of just about every other pub in Taunton.
anonymous - 29 Dec 2006 15:02 |
I think your find the music on the sat n friday nights are dj'd by my brother dj airborne and his house mate marco! id like to say they are amazin at djin and they have a very good taste in music and i defo recommend trying out the moat on sat or friday! when there playin its defo an exerience
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Mel (below) obviously does not realise that what was once Taunton's library has been turned into a pub (and not a very good one at that).
anonymous - 12 Dec 2006 09:43 |
THE MOAT HOUSE IS TO THE FOOD AND DRINK
WHAT A LIBRARY IS TO THE CULTURE...
THANK YOU TO BE IN TAUNTON
Mel73 - 11 Dec 2006 23:12 |
an absolutely fantastic pub/restaurant; the food and service is second to none. I had a basic rib eye steak, but it was anything but basic! Prices are good for what you get and the staff are always very friendly. Highly recommended!
anonymous - 10 Dec 2006 21:58 |
The menu in this hostelry is second to none in Taunton, and in pubs in general, with some exciting and unusual dishes. The food is exquiusitely cooked to order and served by friendly professional staff. Be it from a bowl of chips (NOT fries, we are in England) or a duck wrap for a quick lunch-time snack, to a sea bass or superb local beef steak you dining experience will be an enjoyable one.
The Moat House also has an extensive range of beers wines and spirits from around the world and offers a very good selection of cocktails.
Whatever the occasion give it a go, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
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Well this is how it is. Got asked to go for a meal with some freinds on a Saturday night. The food in this place is some of the finest that i have ever had. The staff and service were superb, the choice of wine and beers were excelent, the atmosphere was relaxed and freindly and the people in the building i geuss were average age of 30+. To top the night off there was a DJ playing some fantastic music that i have never herd befor, my freinds told me that the music was being played by SOULPHONIC.
On the whole a great place for food, drink, music and to relax. PS Plese let people know who the DJS are!
anonymous - 15 Sep 2006 19:08 |
The weekend discos are dragging this once classy pub into the gutter. Sophisticated? well, maybe once but alas no longer, especially at weekend.The invisible fence that once kept the idiots out has been replaced by a welcome sign "Idiots are welcome here"
anonymous - 4 Sep 2006 23:28 |
I and my DJ partner play here most weekends, and specialise in bringing quality music to a fantastic bunch of people. We trawl through record shops and online stores every week to produce a new fresh sound for the weekend ahead to ensure a new atmosphere each time someone visits. I have to say the place has such an amazing vibe, always very friendly, no lager louts, it's a kind of sophistication that is needed in this small town!
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Crikey, this place used to be a gay friendly dive that was also (ironically) frequented by the lower ranking members of Taunton's burgeoning underclass! How it's changed since the last time visited about 7 years ago, more Saville Row than Skid row and with a massive selection of good wines and obscure beers. Certainly seems friendly enough and the invisible fence that appears to keep the local Neds at bay is a welcome addition to any Taunton town centre boozer. A hesitant but hopeful 7/10
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Great place to relax, nice comfy chairs. Service, food and drink indicating a French professionalism. An element of class and sophistication. Good place to take a lady.
Expensive for Taunton but you get what you pay for.
anonymous - 22 Jun 2006 14:44 |
At last someone has figured that you can run a succesful pub by offering a high quality of service and products instead of getting teenagers pissed on house doubles and filling the place up with pool tables and t.vs. A pub for discerning customers. Idiots do not seem to be made welcome, and long may that remain the case
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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.
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