Dolphin, Newport Pagnellback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A traditional, stone built pub at the end of the High Street, it seems a popular spot and I have on many occasions seen groups of people sitting outside on the benches on the wide pavement in the warmer weather, although on a recent wet Monday evening visit it was somewhat quieter.
The pub is split in to two halves with a lounge bar on the left and a public bar on the right. Décor wise, the lounge looks as though it may have recently been refurbished and consists of a laminate wood floor, Farrow & Ball style paintwork and a low beamed ceiling which has unfortunately all been painted over. A brick fire-place was at one end complete with a wood burning stove and there was a dining area off the lounge at the rear. A few high stools were at the bar, but other than that the seating was conventional tables and chairs. The public bar looked to be fairly similar in terms of the décor but included a pool table and a plasma screen showing a sports channel.
The menu offered a decent looking choice of “pub grub” dishes such as Chilli Con Carne, Scampi & Chips, Sausage & Mash, Steak & Ale Pie, Chicken Tikka Masala, etc., and these were mostly priced around the £6 mark. A specials board listed a Corned Beef Hash and roasts were apparently available on Sundays and Thursdays. I went for the Chicken breast topped with bacon and melted cheese and whilst it was a very generous portion it was a pretty dire dish and I would much rather have paid more for something better. It came with chips rather than the advertised mash and the chicken was tough, chewy and stringy and I struggled to eat it. I feel slightly guilty about saying this as the Landlord was a friendly young chap and opened up the kitchen especially as they don’t usually serve food on a Monday night. Perhaps I was unlucky and on regular food nights it may be different.
Beers on tap were Charles Wells DNA and their Eagle IPA along with keg Bombardier. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately.
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The atmosphere provided by a hatted youth getting very annoyed with a passing driver and a young couple fighting with their kids was unbelievably alleviated by the harmless rantings of a Northampton Town fan, even if his utterances were complete cobblers. Very average indeed and wastes a good building. Much competition in a town that does quite well for pubs.
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What a great pub this was. Nice selection of ales, juke box and pool table. Most of all was impressed with the friendlyness of the staff and owner. Couldn't do enough for you. Really nice large looking pub from the outside and well kept inside. If passing through like i was i strongly advise you pop in.
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Nice enough pub with bar and lounge layout (pool table in bar half). Had a reasonable pint here and it is handy for the market Hill bus stop across the road.
anonymous - 16 Jan 2011 16:46 |
Brilliant Olde Worlde Type Pub, won prizes for floral displays and more over the years.... Trevor Mason and family have run this pub for as long I can remember.....Very comfortable seating area in lounge, brilliant food.... Oh I could go on and on! Attracts Oldies as well as many youngies....theme nights for them too!
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Landlord and Landlady offhand and unfriendly, beers and food overpriced.I used to put up with it and used it a lot, but now walk past it to go to The Cannon !!
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Good traditional and home-made pub food with free range eggs and meat. There is outside seating but it's next to a busy road.
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Genuine and nice pub. Good food.
lupus - 24 May 2005 13:51 |
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