Sizzling Pubs – The Blue Bowl, Hanham

Given the multitude of Sizzling pubs across the UK (‘Sizzling’ being a trading name within the Mitchells & Butlers franchise), it proved rather coincidental that I was invited to sample the newly-launched Spring menu at the Blue Bowl in Hanham; a pub so often frequented during the throes of my childhood (post drinking-age I’ll hasten to add) given its proximity to my parents’ house. Over the years, I’ve witnessed this establishment undergo a number of changes; transforming from its historical stance (as a pub dating back to the 1300s; notable even, in the Doomsday Book) to Brewer's Fayre favourite;'The Mill House' and back again before its most recent re-launch as a Sizzling pub. Since the onset of the latter, I simply hadn't gotten around to visiting; that is, until a timely RSVP on my part denoted an evening within the parameters of my old stomping-ground – an evening which unfolded as follows…

Date and Time: Tuesday 29 April 2014, 18:30 

Name of the Establishment: The Blue Bowl (Sizzling pubs)* 

Location: 178 High Street, Bristol 
Reason for Visit: An invitation to check out Sizzling Pubs' brand new Spring menu with a collection of my nearest and dearest in tow! 

My initial thought upon arriving at this venue was that, although remaining mindful of its roots, those at the helm of the Blue Bowl’s development had weakened the character of this pub in favour of a well-furnished, contemporary space. Although my dining companions and I were reasonably educated in regards to the history of the pub and the surrounding area (noting, with interest, the escapades of local tyrant, ‘Dick Boy’ from the guide which made its way to our table) we agreed that, nowadays, this is an establishment intended primarily as a restaurant; the focus on affordable fare constituting an air of accessibility whereby families can eat-out alongside those merely in the market for a drink or two. Prior to this visit, I’d anticipated a Wetherspoon-style domain but despite the comparable 'daily deals' (Sweet-tooth Tuesday anyone?) and the discounted drinks which blink before the eyes of visitors to the website, this really didn’t feel like a cheap and cheerful boozer. In fact, I found myself pleasantly surprised at the quality that ensued; both in terms of the overall ambiance and the drinks/dishes which materialised over the course of the evening. It’s worth noting here that the menus for the Blue Bowl are standard Sizzling pub menus and are available, on the large part, within its equivalent eateries throughout the region - we’re talking family-friendly pub grub with options to suit every palate.

Multiple Menus

Although there was so much to choose from (you might say, almost too much to choose from), the majority of our party opted for one of the four basic ‘Sizzling Skillets' which we found to be fresh-tasting, attractively-plated and great value for money. The chicken fajitas (£6.99) were delicious; the chicken itself appropriately-seasoned and served amongst a medley of onion and pepper upon a sizzling skillet, (what else?!) Apart from the fact that the onion seemed to dominate the ensemble, the remaining aspects of the dish were suitably portioned – namely, guacamole, grated cheddar, jalapeños, chunky salsa and sour cream – which you could pack into amply-sized tortillas however you fancied! The tortillas themselves would have benefited from a little heat prior to serving but all in all, this was a satisfying dish which I’d definitely order again. The chicken and black bean skillet (£7.49) and rump steak fajitas (£7.99) were also well-received and the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich (£6.95) demolished before I’d even had chance to ask its recipient any questions in regards to its execution! If actions really do speak louder than words however, I'd suggest that this was also a win! 

 

Chicken Fajita Skillet: Steamy!

Chicken and Black Bean Skillet

At the bar were all the usual suspects, though a thoughtfully composed wine list led me to an Oyster Bay Chardonnay which particularly appealed due to my new-found affinity with New Zealand plonk. And, at £3.99 for a medium glass (175ml), I felt compelled to re-run the fun in terms of my initial order; the second glass complementing dessert with its delicate lemon-meringue flavoured undertones and smooth, creamy finish. My Corona-drinking pal took advantage of the two-for-£5 bottled beverage deal and it was noted that real ale fans can choose from several on-tap varieties; Butcombe Gold the drink of choice on this occasion for the beer-lover in our midst.

There was no attempt whatsoever to resist the the dessert menu; each of us opting for a 'Spectacular Sundae', (£3.69). Unfortunately, I seemingly drew the short straw given that the cookies and cream creation proved rather ice cream heavy; the cookies somewhat solid rather than soft and chewy as a result of their frozen milieu. The profiterole sundae looked rather more appetising, though not quite as 'spectacular' as the brownie and popcorn sundae which stole the show with its warm, chocolaty chunks of brownie which effectively punctuated the ice cream content with its rich, gooey appeal. Hey, how about a sweet skillet including the likes of toasted marshmallow and grilled banana served alongside a hot chocolate dipping pot?...No? Just a thought! 

In conclusion, my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our Sizzling pub experience; the Blue Bowl is comfortable and relaxed; the service excellent and the food entirely exceeded our expectations; both in terms of its delivery and content. The menu is a bit of a mine field in that the plethora of dishes -starters, sharers, sides, 'ultimate' eats, extras, favourites, light-bites, deals and swaps - can be a tad overwhelming. It does also beg the question of how the kitchen copes with having to prep and execute so many varying plates. That said, there were no complaints in relation to the culinary aspect of the evening on our part which, for the price, was altogether applaudable. The history of this pub may well read of scandal and unrest but, if that's the kind of establishment you're after, its best to look elsewhere! Instead, this is an ample choice for din dins and drinky poos* that won't break the bank – recommended. 

Just so you know...

And now for the second (collective) opinion...

My dining companions agreed upon a rating of 7/10 for Sizzling Pubs' Spring menu and summed up the fare as 'generously plated sizzle!'

References:

*http://www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk/thebluebowlbristol/

*Private Joke!

The Crown, Keynsham

I have a friend who is besotted with 'daily deal' websites...I mean I've dabbled, as previous reviews will suggest, yet he has taken to buying into discounted experiences, products and dinners like an elderly lady collects supermarket coupons! I jest of course...especially when he rounds up his nearest and dearest to accompany him on said gastronomical excursions; the latest constituting a six-part tapas meal for two and glass of wine each for only six-pounds apiece. What's more, given the unlikely venue of a cutesy Keynsham-based pub, we couldn't have been more intrigued...

Date and Time: Thursday 20^th June 2013, 7:00pm

Name of Establishment: The Crown Inn*

Location: 63 Bristol Road, Keynsham

Reason for Visit: The lure of a suitably cheap night out

The Crown is a clean, contemporary space with an impressive beer garden; neatly landscaped and amply accommodating a number of alfresco drinkers. There is a distinctively laid back ambiance and yet, there just so happened to be a darts tournament on the evening of our visit, brought to our attention by the unmistakable bouts of sporting enthusiasm – something which provided a somewhat lively backdrop to our evening. This also underpinned the strong sense of local comradery which could, perhaps, be perceived as both a positive or a negative depending on how comfortable you feel in the face of infiltrating the good old 'local pub for local people' get-up. In any case, we made a beeline for the aforementioned garden, making the most of the disappearing sunshine – the staff seemingly un-fazed at our reluctance to take our seats within the dimly lit restaurant for our 7:00pm culinary-call. A relaxed approach which veered into outright despondence when it came to enlightening us with the menu which we had to request not once, but twice at the bar; along with our complimentary vinos which had also failed to materialise. Consequently, we learned that we didn't get a choice of dishes – rather, we'd be presented with a predetermined six-part ensemble to share between two. Now, as a person lucky enough to be void of any dietary complaints, I wasn't particularly discomposed by this serious disregard for personal taste – though those in our party who didn't eat sea food were pretty put out given that two of the six dishes were predominantly fishy. Cue dishes one and two; sweet chilli king prawns and anchovies marinated in citrus; both notably fresh and commendably flavoursome but the latter surely an acquired taste and certainly not a dish that you'd choose to serve to the average Joe!

Dish three was a Catalan Salad, comprising chickpeas, black pudding and chives. Notice a trend here? I mean, call me a food prude but black pudding really isn't a foodstuff universally enjoyed by the masses – even less so as part of a tapas-style dinner. On to dish four which was chorizo marinated in red wine; well-executed yes but plentiful, no. Dish five was a rainbow of roasted peppers sprinkled with almonds which was really rather tasty (my favourite of the six in fact) and yet between two, just not enough. On the other hand, a sizeable dish of olives was dish six – I picked the green from the mix, noting suspiciously their shop-bought demeanour despite the menu suggesting that they had been lovingly marinated in-house. We were also treated to slices of grilled ciabatta which just about curbed our hunger – though not enough to keep us from the dessert menu which made an entrance shortly after our plates were cleared. I must point out here that had I been aware that the 'hot' chocolate fudge cake I was about to endure would set me back five whole pounds, I'm positive I wouldn't have bothered; proving cold and aesthetically lacking; dry, tasteless and poorly portioned. I'm not ashamed to say that I winged bitterly with every mouthful – especially in the face of the food envy that those with the golden syrup sponge cake encouraged with their complimentary responses.

Between four - give us MORE!

All in all, it's fair to say that I didn't find myself overly impressed with what The Crown had to offer on this particular occasion... Admittedly, we shouldn't have expected much for a six-pound price tag and yet, one would have thought that an eatery venturing into the 'online-deal' territory would want to showcase the best that they have to offer. Although dishes were fresh, appetising and well-presented, not to mention innovative in terms of their arrangement, they were sparsely portioned and simply unsuitable for a number of reasons. I've never been to a restaurant whereby you're denied the luxury of picking from a menu and thus, vegetarians, vegans or in fact, anyone with any nature of dietary requirement would have suffered the complete lack of choice. I know that this isn't likely to be a common occurrence but unfortunately, it depicted an undeniable sense of disinterest in regards to satisfying its clientèle which really was a shame. What's more, I'm not entirely convinced that tapas is particularly fitting for pub; perhaps the management could shun the Mediterranean-inspired classics in favour of mini-plates of British fare – a bite-sized portion of fish and chips for example, drizzled with a minted pea purée or a single Yorkshire Pudding filled with roast beef and horseradish...I could go on! With brand new owners and a quick turnaround in terms of the role of head chef, it seems perhaps that those steering The Crown through its evident re-launch are attempting too much; co-badging the establishment as a restaurant and a pub (as well as an affordable B&B); I suggest that it sticks to watering the locals which for all intents and purposes, appears to be what it does best...

And now for the second opinion....

The money-saving minion gave The Crown a rating of 6/10 and in three words argued that it 'wasn't that bad...' Well that's me told...!

References:

*For further information and a sample menu, visit: http://www.thecrowninn-keynsham.com/

The Hobgoblin - Gloucester Road, Bristol

Forgive me for stating the obvious but The Hobgoblin is a typical Gloucester Road-based establishment; complete with a ‘local pub for local people’ ambiance (a largely student-centred clientèle) and an acceptable level of grunginess that seems almost integral to what we’ve come to recognise as BS7’s eclectic vibe. Besides all the usual attributes, this pub's strength is its cuisine which was unsurprisingly the factor which brought its whereabouts to my attention – I mean, it’s rather a long shot from my last review given that it's seriously lacking in the dainty department and yet as an alternative, its fare constitutes that glorious three-point comfort food ensemble: Meat, cheese and carbs. Modest eaters need not apply, step aside...I’m going in!!

Date and Time: Saturday 18 May 2013, 19:00

Name of Establishment: The Hobgoblin (a.k.a. The Hob)*

Location: 69 - 71 Gloucester Road, Bristol

Reason for visit: Erm…Meat, cheese and carbs!

With an assortment of furniture; solid table-tops and bar stools intended for dining and squashy sofas for serious slomping, this is a laid back watering hole in which to kick back for a couple hours; a homely space providing respite from the hustle and bustle of the Gloucester Road strip. It’s both people-friendly and animal-friendly; the latter meaning that a little interaction with the resident doglettes may become part and parcel of your visit – this, in addition to helpful service and value-for-money makes for an amicable ambiance - you may suggest counteracting the pub's minimalistic décor and shabby-looking toilets which really do appear to have seen better days...!

The menu is made up of a range of Tex-Mex style burgers and sandwiches; with portion sizes to satisfy the...erm, generous appetite. The BBQ’d brisket sandwich (£7.45), made with home-made blue cheese coleslaw and the ‘Goober Burger’ (£7.95) - featuring bacon, a fried egg and peanut butter (yes, really) - particularly caught my eye; the combination of some of my favourite foodstuffs playing on both my will-power and when it came to the latter, my curiosity! The star of the show is undoubtedly the ‘Kraken Burger’ (£25) which, simply speaking, comprises a grotesque amount of food, I quote; ‘a triple bypass burger (that's 21 ounces of beef, people...), plus a portion of dirty, dirty fries, 12 chicken wings, coleslaw, pickles and a variety of sauces’ – phew! This is to be eaten within 45 minutes in order to claim your dinner (enough to keep you going for the next week I’d imagine) free of charge, plus a celebratory t-shirt and the honour of having your name inscribed on the hallowed wall of fame! Only one gutsy individual has achieved this to date; thus it's clearly a force to be reckoned with!

The girls and I shared the dirty dirty fries (£7.45) which were in fact, really really good. Teetering above its platter-style base, this sizeable feast had been fused into a peak with melted cheese (both regular cheddar and blue) and contained an ample quantity of succulently smoky pulled pork. Finished with a drizzle of home-made coriander mayo, it's fair to say that cheesy chips will never be the same again! That said, sharing is clearly the way forward here; the chow-down that ensued slowing progressively as the carb-hit took hold! In light of this, dessert was out of the question; though I have on good authority that the Oreo and Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie is altogether uh-mazing – remind me to sport an elasticated waistband next time...! When it came to liquid refreshment, we identified all the usual suspects and at prices that wouldn't break the bank – thus, the Sauvignon Blanc that the girls and I chose came in at a mere £10.75 a bottle; proving an adequate accompaniment to our edibles. Whilst we're on the subject of affordability, it was noted that the student population are appropriately accommodated; those with a valid NUS card able to bag a cheeseburger, plus fries and a pint for just £6 on a Wednesday.

I like that the fare is somewhat reminiscent of 'Epic Meal Time' and that although we're undoubtedly talking purpose-built wow-factor, this is not to the detriment of the overall tastiness, nor the quality of the ingredients which really have been thoughtfully sourced and prepared; with produce from nearby allotments, bread from The Bread Store and meat bought-in from the local butcher shop. The pulled pork is smoked in-house for up to 24 hours in an authentic Webber Smoky Mountain BBQ which is no doubt testament to its appeal. It's fair to say that you're not going to be hungry for 24-hours after the gastonomical feast that awaits you and you'll either kill it in the gym the next day (like yours truly) or lie for some time with your stomach on a cushion like Brian Butterfield after treat day (in the style of my very honest dining companion) but it really is worth the necessity for recovery; this isn't epic meal time, this is simply epic!

And now for the second opinion...

My dining companion gave The Hobgoblin a rating of 8/10 and in three words, summed up her experience with: 'Meat. Fries. Happiness'.

References:

*https://www.facebook.com/Hobgoblin.bristol

Rhyming Dining - Bristol Style!

In the mood for Bristol food?

Indulgence…West Country style!

We’ve got famous pies, bars in disguise,

Come hither, stay awhile!

From British tapas..posh fish n’ chips,

To Retro Candy…fun Fizzy Lips!

For the home of the cupcake; seek a pink, Park Street base,

Experience alfresco dining with Brunel’s gurt bridge in your face!

Try Illusions Bar for magic tricks

Find artisan treats upon the cobbles of St. Nicks!

A perfect spot to rest one’s feet,

Amidst the experts in cheese, fresh produce, cured meat!

Where it’s well-known chains that play their part,

Versus home-grown brains and locals with heart.

From pop-up banquets; Castellano’s church-based feat;

To the glitz of the UK’s largest all-you-can-eat;

And from Supper Clubs to old-man pubs,

Sunshiney cider on the Apple Boat,

From the independent venues that flank Stokes Croft

To the Gloucester Road stop for curried goat!

So get it done, complete the tour

Where every taste is accounted for,

A truly ‘foodie’ City; that’s cool, diverse and pretty.

Simply said, there’s nowhere that I could love more…

The Shakespeare Tavern, Prince Street - Bristol

As the longest serving ale house in Bristol and with food served daily, until ten o'clock, The Shakespeare Tavern, (which derives its name from the Theatre Royal in nearby King Street) is seemingly an ideal spot to satisfy a sporadic need for some good, old fashioned pub-grub. And, feeling a little fragile after the alcohol-fuelled antics of the 'night before', the Best Foodie Friend (BFF) and I agreed to rendezvous at this very establishment with the intention of finding uncomplicated comfort-food that would hit the hangover without breaking the bank...

Date and Time: Sunday 22^nd April 2012, 16:30

Name of Establishment: The Shakespeare Tavern*

Location: 68 Prince Street, Bristol

Reason for Visit: To counteract the dreaded après-drinking afternoon slump!

A 'Greene King' pub of traditional calibre; this former Georgian mansion (dating back to 1725) boasts a cosy interior which can veer towards a warm, welcoming retreat in the colder Months (complete with log fire) and a light, airy kick-back (with the facility for a little alfresco action), when the weather picks up. Original features add a rather charming quality to the décor with smart oak panelling throughout, striking bay windows and a rounded mahogany staircase which ascends to the kitchen above. Yet despite its historical appeal and, in fact, a rather thorough menu of hearty-sounding culinary classics, a catalogue of errors balances its more positive attributes. Yes, despite the reassuringly long wait before our mains materialised, (which for me – perhaps a little naively so - always indicates freshly-cooked fare as opposed to the use of a microwave) as well as their ample presentation and the smiley service that ensued, both dishes - a fish finger sandwich made with multi-grain bread for me (£3.45) and the sausage 'n mash for the BFF (£5.45) - were a little lack lustre to say the least.

I’ll begin with a strength and the fish finger content itself which, I'm pleased to report, was well-proportioned and tasty; constituting generous chunks of white flaked fish within a light batter which was melt-in-the-mouth in terms of its disposition. However, with soggy supermarket-style sliced bread which, to my taste, had been over-buttered as well as a limp salad and a side-order of skin-on fries (£1.95) which seemed to take the concept of crispy to a new level (which bordered on incineration), it was all a little disappointing. The BFF was also suitably unimpressed commenting that the Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages which had been doused with a redcurrant and Rioja jus, were decidedly average in terms of their quality and the mash a little bland. She mentioned that the deep-fried onion rings were crunchy and flavoursome but not outstandingly so. Thus, although neither dish contained anything inedible enough to warrant sending it back, neither proved particularly enjoyable - an outcome which reminded me of something a colleague once said whereby, ‘if you’re going to die a calorific death, you’d want to at least go out with a bang…!’

When it comes to drinks to accompany one’s meal, The Shakespeare offers five cask ales, three draught ciders, four draught lagers and over fifteen different types of wine – phew! Yet despite this abundant array of tempting tipples which incidentally, appear reasonably-priced and appropriately maintained, the BFF and I confined ourselves to the lighter line-up; sipping at sodas given the primary motive for our visit!

Consequently, you know when you're feeling rather worse for wear and really craving the satisfaction of well-portioned, home cooked and wholesome cuisine – a hunger left hanging with the mediocre meal that is put before you? Well, that was well and truly the case on this occasion – the dishes we has opted for, although passable in terms of their execution, not quite not hitting the spot; appearing rather more substantial than they were upon consumption. As a country-wide chain with a website claiming to facilitate the location of your local 'Proper Pub', I would question whether The Shakespeare Tavern (and maybe even its counterparts) needs to up its game somewhat to bring it in line with the establishments arguably more deserving of the ‘Proper Pub’ badge – yes, it’s friendly, offers value-for-money and inhabits a number of deals intended to save its clientèle a bob or two, (it is also perfectly placed to serve Bristol’s drinking culture) but when it comes to the food itself, it just isn’t up to par – sort it out guys because Shakespeare may have once written, ‘drink down all unkindness' – as scrolled above the bar - but he also stated that ‘When workmen strive to do better than well, they do confound their skill in covetousness'....enough said!

And now for the second opinion...

The BFF gave The Shakespeare Tavern a rating of 5/10 and in three words, described the dish she had chosen as 'mediocre and stodgy'.

References:

*http://gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-bristol/shakespeare-pub/

Rose and Crown, Wick

Tuesday night had come around again and that could only mean one thing...it was date night and committed to keeping this new-found tradition alive, The Boy and I decided to shun the bright lights of the City Centre in favour of an old-school style 'Gastropub' which, recommended by our parents, is nestled within the picturesque village of Wick...

Date and Time: Tuesday 27^th September 2011, 17:45

Name of Establishment: Rose and Crown

Location: 44 High Street, Wick, Bristol

Reason for Visit: Date Night...Part Two

Part of the Chef and Brewer Company,* the Rose and Crown is one of those traditional country pubs in which you cosy up to your nearest and dearest, A beautiful listed establishment built in the 16^th century and steeped in local history, (apparently John Gulley, the first bare-knuckle fighter in the Country used to call this place home), it is quaint and quirky with exposed wooden beams, low ceilings (in places so low that you have to stoop a little to pass – yes even me, at a petite 5'4''!) and when it’s cold enough, a roaring open fire.

Staff are polite and efficient and although we were a little miffed that table-service had been implemented shortly after The Boy and I had placed our order at the bar, we were satisfied that our questions and concerns were addressed, for the most part, with a positive, can-do attitude. However, it would be fair to say that there was a degree of defensiveness as soon as the etiquette slipped in the face of adversity. Unfortunately, the concerns I am referring to were fundamentally associated with The Boy’s main course and for that reason, I have decided to split this review in two and allow The Boy to run with his unique interpretation of the dish that he had been served.

First though, my review of the 'Chorizo Chicken' (£9.75) which constituted a juicy grilled chicken breast under which nestled a chunky slice of chorizo sausage and under that, an enormous heap of sweet potato mash. Now, I'll admit that I'm easily pleased when it comes to sweet potato as it is without a doubt, one of my favourite vegetables and this variety did not disappoint proving smooth, creamy and well-seasoned with a beautiful spicy warmth that it had taken from the chorizo. Furthermore, with crisp green beans and the cleansing coolness of sour cream, the dish really had an interesting arrangement of contrasting tastes and textures and in fact, the only element that didn't particularly appeal was the sweet chilli drizzle which had, in my view, a rather abrasive after-taste. That said, I can conclude that this was a delicious and well-executed dish.

Chorizo Chicken

Whilst we're on a high, it is worth noting that the Rose and Crown offer an ample range of tipples; all the usual suspects as well as a seasonally influenced line-up of wines, an ever-changing range of guest cask ales and even a cocktail menu! In addition to this, suggested food and drink pairings have been noted throughout the menu which seemed to indicate the thought that had been given to its content and the ingredients sourced for each dish. With this in mind, I'm ashamed to reveal that I unimaginatively opted for a crisp Chardonnay (a snip though at under £3 for 175ml) whereas The Boy chose an Italian bottled larger – the perhaps lesser sourced, Birra Moretti which he commented made a refreshing change to Peroni. 

And now for the bad news....After finding that his ‘Gourmet Burger’ (£9.50) had been plated without the advertised bacon, ‘classic burger dip’ and with just two small onion rings limply strewn on the edge of the plate, The Boy was far from impressed. This, plus the salad which appeared a little lack-lustre to say the least and the quality of the dish overall brought about this review…

“When one pays restaurant price for pub grub...in a pub, you'd expect at the very least to get food of a high standard and maybe you might get the chance to say, 'hmm, it's almost like we went to a restaurant.' Unfortunately, when my 'Gourmet' burger arrived, the first thing I picked up, before my cutlery, was the menu...just to check that it didn't say J D Wetherspoon on it! But alas, I wasn't mistaken, just disappointed. Although I hadn't said, nor been asked how I wanted my 'steak burger' cooked, if I had done I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have said, 'burnt on both sides, oozing with grease and plenty of salt please'! Now, I'm no cretin, I've had burgers in many pubs and restaurants from Cornwall to Sheffield and fantastic food has been enjoyed at The Rose and Crown previously – they do a cracking Sunday roast I can tell you. What I believe has happened here is what I like to call 'FSS' or, 'Fluctuating Standards Syndrome' which many establishments suffer when they try to accommodate every food-related want imaginable. But it really shouldn't be a case of choose badly and 'unlucky mate!' It's an evening meal I'm after, not the lottery...that said, I wish I had lucked-out and had Sammy's plate!”

Gourmet Burger

And so, two very different experiences, some rather serious food envy and a spot of sulking demonstrated by The Boy which meant that we didn't stick around for dessert! Upon expressing his initial dissatisfaction with the composition of the ‘Gourmet Burger’ the staff agreed to charge for the standard burger (£7.75) instead. Despite further discovering the burger itself was lacking (albeit edible), The Boy decided to write off the experience and made a mental note to order something a little less mainstream in the event of a return visit. And so, I was really hoping to be able to urge you to deviate from what the City Centre has to offer and dine somewhere a little off the beaten track and although The Boy’s review isn’t exactly glowing, don't let it put you off completely. I think that The Rose and Crown just need to concentrate on perfecting fewer dishes; the notion of quality over quantity which The Boy also alluded to amidst his rather scathing comments. At present there are just so many options; pub favourites, burgers and steaks, fish dishes, Chef Recommendations and Specials – thus, a multitude of ingredients and combinations to work with and therefore plenty of potential for mistakes to be made. That said, it's a triumph when they get it right, evidenced by my main course which was fresh, flavoursome and generously portioned. Thus, somewhat hit and miss; worth the risk in my view (for the country-bumpkin setting and the aforementioned Sunday Roasts if nothing else) but not if you have to bust a gut to get here...a shame as in my opinion, the margin for potential far outweighs the margin created for error...

References:

*http://www.chefandbrewer.com

*http://www.chefandbrewer.com/pub-food/Rose-Crown-Wick/pid-C3394

To note, the Rose and Crown offer lunchtime and evening deals and from 5:00pm, two courses are £9.99 and three, £11.99. Their Thursday Curry Night, Friday Fish Night and Sunday Roast are also very well attended.