Today we
went back to a pub we've visited several times before. We have a bit of a soft
spot for The Travellers Joy, partly because they'd always been pretty friendly,
but mostly because they do good food at a really good price.
It's laid
out like many older pubs, with a main bar and a separate lounge bar. This is a
dog friendly pub with a few tables out the front, allowing alfresco dining when
our English weather allows. There's a log burner in the main bar which was
laying dormant on our visit, although the pub was plenty warm enough without
it. We also both strangely noticed that the bar is incredibly shiny, perhaps
they have access to a secret wax hither to unknown to the rest of the public
house community.
When asked
which table we wanted, a comedy sketch unravelled before us. We picked the
corner table, only for some other diners to come in and take it for themselves.
Dad then said we would go for the table by the window, only for another group
to come in and sit there. Eventually people stopped coming in and we were able
to grab ourselves a place to sit.
There is a
selection of light bites on offer at a bargain price of "£6.50, while you
can get yourself a starter or desert for around £4. The main meals from the
menu or specials board come in between £8 and £13, most of which are under £10,
with the upper price being reserved for steak. I went for the nut roast on the
board, unable to resist the offer of a roast dinner. Dad went for the steak
which came with chips, tomato, mushrooms, coleslaw and as if that wasn't
enough, a side salad.
When our
food arrived, I was a happy boy. A large portion of nut roast was accompanied
by plenty of roast potatoes, parsnips, a Yorkshire pudding and a separate
little bowl of vegetables, four different kinds no less. Everything was well
cooked and the vegetables were fresh, the one blot on their recipe book being
the out of place Aunt Bessie Yorkshire. Dad asked for his steak rare, and rare
it was, cooked just right. The chips weren't homemade, but they were cooked
well. By that we mean they were cooked enough, unlike your average pale pub
chip.
In the hope
that publicans will read our reviews and maybe even take some notice, we try to
point out possible improvements. With regards to that, we don't have many
issues with this pub. If we were being pernickety, we'd have a play list of
music rather than trusting in the radio, and perhaps a little more attention to
detail with vegetable prep. However, let us not take away from the good things
happening here. You will find it hard to find another pub making such good
quality homemade food at such good prices, and for that reason, The Travellers
Joy will always hold a special place in our hearts and stomachs.
Atmosphere 7
Service 7
Food 8
Value 8.5
Verdict 4*
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