K&A pub West of Newbury

[GUMPY]

We are passing  MIL over to SIL tomorrow at Chieveley Services just north of Newbury .

It will then be almost time for lunch so any recommendations of a pub on the K&A west of Newbury that does a decent lunch 

Seend is about the limit distance wise in order that we get there before they stop serving lunch.

[MPR]

Dundas Arms Kintbury

[Mike Todd]

The Barge Inn at Seend seems to have a good report. AFAIK, almost all of the ones near to the K&A are reasonable for lunch (There's plenty of them!). Living nearby we rarely go to them . . .  Have been to the Crown in Bishops Cannings which is OK if not spectacular.

[Rob-M]

We've eaten lunch in the Barge Inn but not for a few years.  Food was fine.

[IanD]

7 minutes ago, Rob-M said:

We've eaten lunch in the Barge Inn but not for a few years.  Food was fine.

The rate that pub landlords change nowadays means any report from some time ago -- or a previous visit -- predicts very little about what a pub is like now, unless you know the same people are still there. DAMHIK... 😞

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

I used to enjoy going the 3 Magpies not far from Seend. 

Good cooked food.   

Sort of place old people would book in for a proper roast and traditional English puddings. 
But that was 10 year ago. 
Website might indicate whether the pubs been revamped and gone up market since. 

 

Just had a peek at website and it looks like it has had a bit of a tidy up. 
Still retains an outdated look which I liked. 
And they’ve added a few olives and some vegan food to the menu. 
Wonder if it’s the same folks running it. Probably not. 
 

At least the prices don’t seem to be hiked high like other place on Kand A

Edited July 10, 2023 by Goliath

[Ianws]

40 minutes ago, IanD said:

The rate that pub landlords change nowadays means any report from some time ago -- or a previous visit -- predicts very little about what a pub is like now, unless you know the same people are still there. DAMHIK... 😞

The same landlord might give confidence in how well the beer is kept. Food depends on the chef, which can have an even higher turnover of staff. Unless it's all prepared chuck in the microwave stuff, but some places aren't even able to manage that to a reasonable standard. 

[MtB]

2 minutes ago, Ianws said:

The same landlord might give confidence in how well the beer is kept. Food depends on the chef, which can have an even higher turnover of staff. Unless it's all prepared chuck in the microwave stuff, but some places aren't even able to manage that to a reasonable standard. 

 

What do you expect? Beer is what publicans know about, not cooking food! 

 

Well, some of them anyway  

 

 

[Ianws]

I don't expect much, but lots of people (like @GUMPY, the OP) are asking  for recommendations of where's good to eat not just to drink. Unless food reviews are recent they can be pretty meaningless. 

[MtB]

37 minutes ago, Ianws said:

I don't expect much, but lots of people (like @GUMPY, the OP) are asking  for recommendations of where's good to eat not just to drink. Unless food reviews are recent they can be pretty meaningless. 

 

In which case I recommend Gumpy asks for restaurant suggestions, rather than pubs! 

[Ianws]

Gumpy asked for a pub that does a decent lunch. Didn't mention beer. Lots of pubs now rely on food to keep going.

[Keysan]

Pelican at Froxfield (2.5 miles West of Hungerford on the A4 & 5 mins walk from the K&A) is decent and affordable. However, if you fancy pushing the boat out! The Woodspeen, just to the west of Newbury is fantastic. If they are still doing their lunch menu it can not be beaten for quality. 

[IanD]

11 hours ago, Ianws said:

The same landlord might give confidence in how well the beer is kept. Food depends on the chef, which can have an even higher turnover of staff. Unless it's all prepared chuck in the microwave stuff, but some places aren't even able to manage that to a reasonable standard. 

Which is why I said "people", meaning those who decide on the menu and cook the food... 😉

 

Usually if it's the same landlord who wants the same kind of pub and clientele, if it had good food (and beer) before (to attract customers) it will have good food (and beer) now. That's usually true even if the bar staff and chef have changed, because the landlord decides what the pub should be like, including food and beer standards.

 

If the landlord and staff have changed, all bets are off -- as I've found several times on repeat visits to pubs that used to be good... 😞

[Drayke]

The Brewery Inn at Seend, short walk into the village, goes good food and not too expensive. Have been there quite a few time lately.

[GUMPY]

2 hours ago, Drayke said:

The Brewery Inn at Seend, short walk into the village, goes good food and not too expensive. Have been there quite a few time lately.

Didn't look open at lunchtime as we passed it.

Ended up at The Barge in the same village.

Food surprisingly good, Wadworths  IPA not bad either.

[Drayke]

2 hours ago, GUMPY said:

Didn't look open at lunchtime as we passed it.

Ended up at The Barge in the same village.

Food surprisingly good, Wadworths  IPA not bad either.

Normally open all day 7 days a week.