The Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates

This is no longer a 'pub' - I have been going to the DD for the last 5 years but I am sad to say that I am starting to fall out of love with this pub. The continual updating of the bar area, removal of the open fires and general decision to appeal to a different clientele has made the pub into a slightly pretentious and over priced restaurant. I have stayed here a few times too, usually in one of the suites in the courtyard but as the prices for B&B have gone up by approx. 50% over the time we have been going it is starting to get a little bit 'over priced' (paying up to �200 a night). I know some of you will disagree but these days a visit to the DD means sitting in a cold bar area in leather bucket chairs listening to people with more money than sense trying to impress their friends with their wine 'knowledge' or how many horses they have under the bonnet of their 'jag'......not my kind of people.

The positives - The food is still fantastic, the staff are still very pleasant, the bedrooms are kept clean tidy taseful and warm and of course the BEER is excellent!

But I still long for the days when I could call in on a cold winters day, get a couple of pints of Cracker at the bar and plonk myself in front of one of the little open fires dotted around the pub.

I know that this is a business and everyone has to make a living and I am sure that there are many many people who will still find this a wonderful place to drink/stay but I will continue to look for that something that the DD has lost over the last couple of years.

And to those who sit around in the bar smoking cigars and talking very loudly trying to impress their companions with their knowledge of Champagne 2 pieces of information which you may find useful- a) You pronounce the T in Moet! it's not Moay.... b) You can't get a "good deal on a cheeky little spanish champagne" - that's Cava!

Chin Chin!

19 Feb 2007 19:30

The Yorkshire Terrier Inn, York

I always eat at the Yorkshire Terrier when I come over to York from Leeds. The food is usually very good but the main reason for going is the York Brewerys very own Centurions Ghost beer! Got to be my favourite 'dark' ale, maybe even my favourite beer of all time! (Can't quite decide between CG and 'Cracker' by Barngates)

The only slight niggle I have is that it can sometimes be cold in this pub, there is a small fire but it usually has staff sat in front of it.

The other York brewery pubs in the town are worth a visit too.

19 Feb 2007 19:03