AFTER closing for three weeks in late July, this Beefeater has reopened with all guns blazing following its second major refurbishment in just five years.
There were certainly big improvements on our plates, which was great news for a meal intended as a birthday treat for my mother-in-law, Mary.
Even though we sat down right on deadline, our waitress, Laura, allowed my wife and I to choose two courses for £7.95 from the pre-6.30pm daytime menu. "It's a borderline time,"
Laura proffered, clearly believing the words of Falstaff in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One: 'The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part, I have saved my life'.
Collette chose a tasty, marinated chicken breast and a substantial 'Horn of Plenty' dessert, while I had an admirably-good 8oz rump steak prior to a gentlysweetened caramelised apple crumble with custard.
Rapidly comprehending the complex main menu, Mary selected two courses for £9.95.
She loved her salmon - served with her preferred new potatoes instead of the listed wild rice - and a huge chocolate brownie sundae.
Best of all, our accompanying salads were supremely fresh and deliciously dressed.
Our three children had three courses each - garlic bread, mains, dessert. Holly and Louie's meals were £6.50 per head, while Madison's £4.50 selection likewise included a drink.
Adult drinks included three fail-safe Costa coffees, a deliciously mellow Flowers' bitter (£2.31) and a quality bottle of wine (£12.50).
Even leaving at 8.30pm on a Friday night, our £62.61 bill for three adults and three children delivered off-peak savings of £14.89. Bravo!
THE BILL: 2 Adult mains + dessert £15.90, 1 Adult main + dessert £9.95, 1 Under five, three-course £4.50, 2 Over five, three-course £13, 1 Latte £1.55, 2 Coffees £2.90, 1pt Flowers £2.31, 1 bottle of Rosemont £12.50. Total: £62.61.
