Babbity Bowster

The upstair room is wonderful, very airy and simply decorated but still comfortable. The service is attentive and friendly, you're brought a jug of still water without fuss, so you feel that you're not being gouged straight from the starts.

Our starters of scallops (for me) and pate (for my wife) were very good. The scallops were large and fresh and very well cooked, just on that point when they've lost their cold fishiness but haven't turned to tubber. The pate was slightly underflavoured and could have done with a splash of brandy but was fresh and had very good toast with it.

The meat in the main courses was exceptional. My wife's steak was good and rare but amazingly tender, falling apart under her fork. My lamb was similarly melting. Someone here knows where to get good meat. The accompanying vegetables were a let-down: a boring bowl of boringly boiled green that was clearly an afterthought, if it had ever been thought about at all. Wouldn't you rather have a simple bit of buttered and seasoned cabbage or beans or something that three or four different veg?

There was nothing vegetarian on the main menu and the specials only featured a quiche that didn't tempt us at all. I would go a long way to return here for the meat but I wouldn't bring a vegetarian friend.

Creme brulee was very creamy, the cheese had good oatcakes and slightly bland cheese.

This was a very good meal that was less than perfect in a couple of points, but still highly enjoyable.
Comment on this reader review

Ian
Tuesday, August 26, 2008