The Gate, Arkley

After searching google for some information about another local pub, I found this site.

I have always been put off from going to the Gate, it seems very busy (which clearly is not a bad thing) most times. When I have tried to go on previous visits, the carpark is full. No-where else to park!

However, recently the Harvester just down the road has been closed due to a fire. Myself braved trying to get into the gate. Oh how glad am I we did. It was fantastic.

We went on a friday night, around 8pm. Again, the carpark was a problem. We waited and a space came fairly soon. You would imagine that inside it would be chaos with all those cars, but it wasn't. I assume large groups of people do not use their head and car share. Expect people with a table for 10 to have 5 cars!

The place was lively, it had REAL fires on the go. I counted 3! The staff were busy, but most importantly, polite. We (2 of us) found a small table towards the back. The food was very nice. Simple pub grab. I had the fish and chips (it was recommended to me by the chap behind the bar), my friend had a special off from a board they put up. Fish and chips in a pub, we've all done it before, been disappointed, it's nothing like our local chippie. The gate's fish and chips however, wow. It was huge! And this is a plus, it wasn't some horrible frozen thing dropped in the fryer. I was told before I ordered it that they battered it themselves, and boy you can tell, just like your chippie, if not better.

My friend enjoyed her's. Although I must say I cant recall what she ate.

I would shout about this place to anyone who wants to listen. The car park is tiny, but dont let that put you off coming as it had to me in the past. Get a cab, share a car, walk! This is the best food around. No wonder their carpark is full, it must mean something.

5 Feb 2008 21:53