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I really should start writing reviews, the problem is I frequently find I am not a great fan of the pubs I go into. Whilst away we went into The Man of Ross, which looked good from the outside, but once inside it was a little local and apart from the usual suspects only had 6X, friendly service though. And The Mail Room, which I thought was a very good Spoons, better than the ones I have used in Bristol.
Kilverts - food wasn't cheap (what was in Hay), but was well worth it - a very enjoyable meal. The wife sampled your ploughman's which I was instantly jealous of when it arrived as I had gone with the bacon and brie baguette, which whilst very nice wasn't a patch on the food on her plate. We didn't drink , an opportunity wasted. Pub itself was an interesting mix with lots of personality, I like that lots of talking points, my next question would be how the guitar was broken . Your barman seemed quite young and friendly, a slight queue as I think he was taking chits to the kitchen, but everyone was good natured so it wasn't an issue. Your weather was rubbish though, poured with rain half the time we were there, so you would lose a point for that . The wife felt it was a nice welcoming pub, definitely the highlight of Hay. Whilst we both enjoy reading, there are books beyond literature, I had kind of hoped some of the shops would be aiming for secondary markets.
For Salisbury and the immediate surrounds (ie up to 10 miles form the City), my Top 10 is:
Cuckoo, Hamptworth
Deacons, Salisbury
Earl of Normanton, Idmiston*
Malet Arms, Newton Toney*
Rai D'Or, Salisbury*
Swan, Enford
Victoria and Albert, Netherhampton
Village Free House, Salisbury
Winchester Gate, Salisbury
Wyndham Arms, Salisbury
This is based purely on beer quality, though those marked with an asterisk also do excellent food.
It was difficult cutting it down to 10, though.
Last edited by ETA; 20-07-2010 at 11:26.
Very difficult to know how to pitch this. I could have a post as long as my arm. My favourites in Wakefield city centre are all GBG listed so I'll put those aside. Most of the following are within a fifteen mile sweep of home. those in brackets are ones that I've not actually visited (or not for some time) but are highly regarded.
Castleford: (The Shoulder of Mutton.) http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40299/
Dewsbury: The West Riding Licensed Refreshment Rooms. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40387/ Superb beer.
Heath: The King'g Arms. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/57387/ Fantastic interior.
Huddersfield:
(The Grove.) http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40654/ The beer.
The King's Head. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/62786/ The beer.
The Rat & Ratchet. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40704/ The beer.
(The Star.) http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/56908/ The beer. Highly regarded festivals.
Keighley: The Boltmakers Arms. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40834/ De facto brewery tap for Timmy Taylor's.
Leeds:
The Adelphi. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/42581/ Fantastic late Victorian gin palace.
The Grove. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/42740/ Fantastic interior and beer.
The Victoria. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/42987/ Another fantastic interior.
Whitelocks. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54017/ Most famous pub in Leeds (?)
Ossett: The Brewer's Pride. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40979/ Superb beer. Highly regarded by those in the know, but deserves wider fame. (Close to the Calder & Hebble Navigation 'BF' and 'TP'!)
Ledsham: The Chequers Inn. http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/42647/ Fantastic interior, good food and beer. (Good lunch stop 'wittenden' if you head north on the A1.)
'And where he supped the past lived still. And where he sipped the glass brimmed full' John Barleycorn, Carol Ann Duffy.
Barman is older than me! He's completely new to the pub life and has been with us a little over a month. He's coming on though.
We've all but given up on ever getting that wire that makes it print in the kitchen automatically replaced :'(
Guitar broken by people forgetting about it when standing up - it will be replaced soon. It was donated by a customer who hosts the open mic nights for us when he upgraded, and another regular said she'll be buying a new guitar soon and will happily donate hers. We've also had 2 pianos donated, but nowhere to put them!
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