Tap And Yumbler

Tap and Tumbler, a rock pub located on Wollaton Street near Theatre Royal, has recently started offering a selection of pub food, but was It worth introducing in the first place? Tap isn’t fancy and that’s the point to an extent so would the food match the dive bar atmosphere?

We decided to eat here on a Saturday evening as we wanted something cheap and easy before a night out. As mentioned, Tap is not the most glamorous establishment: Rock memorabilia adorning the walls, a jukebox again playing rock tracks from the most well-known to more obscure cuts, a pool table and furniture that is a little worn but despite this, it is full of friendly staff members and customers young and old enjoying a beer, of which they have a good selection of rock related ales as well as the standard lagers.

On reading the menu, all the food was rock related – you sense a pattern? Even items such as ‘Pantera Nachos’, which I still cannot fathom why they chose this band to describe nachos. Maybe they thought they had to call them something just because the rest of the menu is in the same vain.

We actually opted for a plate of Dimebag Darrell’s apparently famous nachos in the end as well as cheese and bacon burgers, only E5, which you could add a lager to as part of a deal for only an extra £1. We paid at the bar and around 15 minutes later our food was brought out.

The food itself was relatively standard in its appearance, nothing over the top or extraordinary about the burger although the plate of nachos was fairly large considering it was only around £3.50. The burger wasn’t terrible, in fact relatively good, but not great. The meat was well cooked, not dry or tasteless, the bacon crispy and the cheese of a decent quality. tThe chips mildly seasoned and the onion rings weren’t  soggy with grease, although it wasn’t the largest plate of food ever served to me. The nachos however were lashed with more than ample helpings of sour cream and guacamole with fresh jalapenos thrown on for good measure.

The best thing about this meal however, was the price. £6 for a burger and pint! That is cheaper than a Wetherspoons for food of equal and in some areas better quality, and the Tap isn’t completely devoid of atmosphere, although on a Friday and Saturday I will admit that Wetherspoons does have an atmosphere, but it is usually made up of packs of dickhead lads shouting ‘Wuhaay!’ or gaggles of women screeching, both of which aren’t plus points. Tap and Tumbler is niche in that if you don’t like rock music then you probably won’t enjoy your dining experience however if you do like music played with real instruments, like a friendly atmosphere when dining and enjoy food that is incredibly good value for money, then I would recommend Tap and Tumbler over any of your usual haunts.

Ded Gudd

The Ned Ludd, located on Friars Lane, has something a little different from your average run of mill pub. It’s not just the food or the selection of beer and ales or even the atmosphere, it’s all three.

Myself and a family member decided to dine here not wanting something too large and filling but at the same time not wanting to venture to the usual cheap and nasty haunts when you want something quick and easy, and I’m not speaking of Forest Road.

It was around 14:00 on a very sunny Thursday, yes English summer days do exist, and so we chose to sit outside on one of the few tables that had been vacated. It was a pleasant seating area with wicker chairs and simple yet stylish tables that made it perfect for watching the world go by.

I walked inside to pick up a menu, again indoors – simple yet stylish, when a friendly waitress caught me at the door and brought them to our table. The menu consists of a wide range of what the Ned Ludd calls ‘artisan’ food which I’m sure is just a fancy word for ‘posh’ in this case however judging by the food available, it definitely deserved to be described as such. Mains consisted of everything from steak and brisket to spiced kebabs and pie but each dish with a touch of class, not just inexpensive, microwaved garbage. They also have a wide range of vegetarian options available if devouring tender chunks of animal is not your thing. As it was only lunch however we decided on a meal deal they offer of an artisan sandwich (that word again) with a pint of Navigation craft beer for a mere £5! We both chose the Colwick Cheese and chilli jam but the real question was whether the food was as good as it sounded.

The waitress came to our table to take our order, returned with our drinks shortly after and our sandwiches followed around 5-10 minutes later. The sandwich itself was served on thick crusty ciabatta with an exquisite filling of cheese and chilli jam, the right amount of each and laced with rocket for a little crunch. The cheese was strong but not overpowering and the chilli jam more of a sweet chilli which complemented each other perfectly. The sandwich also came accompanied by a salad of clearly the freshest vegetables in a subtle vinaigrette and rustic chips, which whilst the chips were better than average, they were the weakest aspect of the plate.

The third point mentioned was the atmosphere. Yes it is slightly classier than most booze holes, and rightly so, this gives it its character, but the joy of the Ned Ludd is that, perhaps in part due to its reasonable prices, it is inclusive of all walks of life. For example, it has gourmet food but at the same time it is not infested with hipsters that just couldn’t be bothered to walk to Hockley to look down on others because they think they are eating somewhere niche, too cool for  most folks. Everyone is welcome here, from working class to upper and each can find things they like in their own right, both in terms of food and the huge selection of beers, ales and wine.

Overall the Ned Ludd is nothing short of excellent. If you are sick of your usual eating spots and whether you are on a budget or have cash flowing from your wallet faster than the flow of migrants through the channel tunnel, I would urge you to give this place a try. The service, atmosphere and especially the food, made with locally sourced ingredients,  are all Ded Gudd.

Major Oakay

The Major Oak, situated on Pelham Road/Victoria Street, is in effect a sports pub, or at least as close as this country gets to one and with it being Saturday and several Rugby games to watch, we decided to enter and grab some hangover food.

The Major Oak is part of one of those ‘slightly better than Wetherspoons’ pub chains where you pay a little extra, but expect a little more, however on first impressions you could be forgiven in thinking that this wasn’t the case. With hideous wallpaper and a bizarre choice of pictures of statues adorning the wall, it is not the most pleasant place to look about, but at least the seats were comfy. We took a look at the menu only to find them still a little sodden from Friday night’s alcohol and chose our food: one all day breakfast (£5.45), one Mac ‘n’ Cheese Burger (£7.45) and one BBQ Double Stacked Burger (£8.45) with 2 sides of cheesy garlic bread and a glass of lemonade (£1.75)  each to sooth the headaches, although beers and ciders are available at around £3.

We paid at the bar and around 20 minutes later our food arrived, the 2 burgers on gourmet-esque rectangular plates and the breakfast on your standard round plate. The mac a cheese burger was better than the sum of its parts. The bacon was a little undercooked, the burger a little over cooked and the mac and cheese probably should have just been called ‘mac’ but together it wasn’t half bad. The BBQ stack fared much better, the 2 burgers being much juicier with ample helpings of melted cheese, probably stolen from the macaroni, and crispy bacon with lashings of tasty BBQ sauce for a winning combination. The accompanying bowl of oven chips was standard at best but the onion rings were a solid effort, not too greasy or chewy. The breakfast was a standard affair and pretty much accomplished what The Major Oak does as a whole, be a little better than Wetherspoons. The cheesy garlic bread was also a highlight, crispy yet with a soft garlic middle and a strong helping of cheese. In summary it was your slightly better than average pub meal with the wasted potential to be a great one.

The staff are odd in that they are too efficient in some areas but not in others. Take the tables for example, they were still slightly sticky from the night before but the actual waiting and clear-up was exceptionally fast. The one negative point that I have is that a waiter removed my friends plate whilst still eating his burger; which was perhaps a little too premature considering the BBQ stacker isn’t the easiest burger to eat without making a mess.

Overall The Major Oak is a great place to watch football, rugby or any other sport they are showing, especially during big games as the atmosphere is electric. The food and drinks are fairly priced and the staff are friendly and attentive however, there is room for improvement with the quality of the food. Had it been prepared and cooked to a slightly better standard, which I felt in this case was entirely doable, then this pub would have nearly an all positive review. As it stands however it is neither a Major triumph nor a Major joke, but merely Major Oakay.

Exit Stage Left

The Stage is located on Parliament Street a few doors down from the Theatre Royal and is about as cheap and cheerful as you can get, if the definition of ‘cheerful’ was mediocre.

We ate on a Thursday afternoon whilst shopping in town and on entering it seemed like any other old pub but with a little extra character. A little more ‘Ye Olde’ than some other generically fitted out pubs. The walls were adorned with old pictures like most but it was the little things like the banisters on the stairs that were a little more decorative than usual and the fact that both a mixture of pop standards as well as motown played over the stereo, gave it a vibe a little out of the ordinary. It was spoilt somewhat however by a local that was preaching ignorant nothings as loudly as possible to another local, both of which seemed like they had been drunk since 9am that morning let alone 1pm in the afternoon.

We decided that on this occasion we would both have Toad In The Hole, a pub classic and also on the 2 for £7.50 menu. We went to the bar to order food and get drinks: a lager at around £3.20 and a Coke around £2, the prices not being too bad at all considering The Stage is in the centre of Nottingham.

We only had to wait around 10 minutes before our food arrived. On first inspection it seemed very basic: a standard round white plate featuring a small Yorkshire pudding, barely big enough to fit the 1 sausage in it as well as mashed potato, peas and a small pot of gravy. On eating however, it confirmed my suspicions. The meal had a ‘greasy spoon’ feel to it that I couldn’t shake. It  felt as if the sausage had come from a Richmond multipack, the mash potato was Smash, the peas tinned and the Yorkshire pudding and gravy the supermarket own brand equivalent of Aunt Bessie’s and Bisto respectively. It was as if even people living under the poverty line could have made this meal for less and it would have tasted better. It wasn’t fancy by any means and part of me was expecting this based on the price, however considering its competition of both the Three Crowns opposite it as well as the various Wetherspoons dotted around the town centre, the food really didn’t match up to its rivals.

This pub really seems more of drinks only kind of place and is often very busy on a Friday and Saturday night. The staff are quite friendly and talkative and with reasonably priced drinks, it is not hard to see why people frequent this establishment so often,  but if you are looking for quality pub grub then I would exit stage left before you are sorely disappointed.

 

Cape Victim

 

A slightly controversial title for a slightly controversial place. Cape, located on Victoria Street at the top of Hockley is a mixture of the mediocre and the pretentious all wrapped up in one fun-sized, easy to swallow package. Only it isn’t fun, and it’s actually quite difficult to swallow, much like that Christmas present you were sure was chocolate before you opened it but then turned out to be a box of socks.

We dined on a Tuesday evening as they run a two-for-pizza deal after 2pm and we figured that it was somewhere casual to eat before moving on. On entering you are met with a series of café style tables and a selection of booths with once plush leather seats along the side closest to the window.  On first inspection it actually looks very inviting. Crisp, clean, and modern with a feeling that you are in somewhere a little classier than your average bar.

We brushed what I hope was pepper off of the seats in one of the booths and sat down to peruse the menu. On offer there is a fairly varied selection of sandwiches, salads and mains as well as a medium sized pizza menu. We chose a pizza each (all priced around £7-£9) and went to the bar to order and get some drinks. Their selection of ale and cider isn’t particularly wide, so we settled for your bog standard lager and cider priced around £3.50 and sat back down. Then the wait began.

Around 25-30 minutes later after having gone to the bar to ask where our food was, it finally arrived. Our thin crust pizza arrived uncut and with only one pizza cutter between us I had a slightly longer wait whilst I let my friend cut hers first although I did eventually get bored and use a knife to hack mine into slices. The pizza itself wasn’t half bad, evenly spread with cheese and abundant with fresh meat and vegetable toppings. It would have possibly been worth the wait had it not arrived lukewarm. By the time I had finished it was cold. A shame really as it had had the potential to be a good meal.

The issues don’t end there however. The place itself is infested with pretentious ‘Daddy bought my house and paid for my tuition fees’ type students and post graduates who’s biggest problem in life is that the position they now hold in their parents company isn’t well paid or high enough for the minimal amount of stress they have to put up with. These kind of people wouldn’t normally bother me however, when you insist on talking so loudly that everyone knows you’re a spoilt arsehole, then it really, REALLY begins to grate and worst of all, I was surrounded. Both in front and behind me these people persisted to act as if the world owed them a favour and this is generally what the atmosphere is like in Cape. It is populated it seems, by people who think the world owes them a living, despite the fact that a lot them have actually been gifted one.

This also reflects in the staff. They don’t seem happy to help and again carry on air of ‘this job is beneath me’. Maybe so but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable and uninviting towards customers.  Perhaps they are simply aware of the clientele they serve and this annoys them as much as it did me, who knows.

The music is also infuriating. Imagine a pop song that has been so overplayed that it sickens you to listen to it. Now imagine there is a playlist of a hundred of those songs.  Then the realisation hits you that you have ordered and at this point there is no escape. You’re trapped, just like those songs will be in your head as you continue to enrage yourself as  you find yourself singing them for the rest of the day. It’s torturous.

Oddly my friend actually didn’t mind her dining experience which I find a little difficult to understand, although I have previously been for a drink at Cape on a night out and quite enjoyed it but maybe I was so drunk at that point I would have enjoyed anywhere. This is the only explanation I can think of why I may have previously liked it.

Overall I would liken Cape to the proverbial polished piece of faecal matter. It has a glossy sheen and slick appearance but you really would not want to delve any deeper. With a bit of work the food could be something worth going for but the issue is mainly with the atmosphere and that is a much more difficult problem to fix. Perhaps I was simply there at the wrong time and it is usually a pleasant experience however on this occasion, I was a Cape victim.

Orange Treemendous

The Orange Tree pub situated on the corner of North Sherwood Street and popular with students, especially on a Friday and Saturday night it is difficult to move in there, although on this particular Wednesday evening it was only around half full.

We sat in the back area and took a look at the menu. There is a wide selection of sandwiches, a handful of different burgers and the usual pub mains. We all opted for burgers, priced at £8.50, one with cheese (add 50p) and bacon (add 75p), one with the topping of the day, beef brisket chilli (add £2) and one with cheese and beef brisket chilli. We each also had a pint: one ale, one lager and one cider, all priced between £3.50 and £4.

After paying at the bar we sat back down and our food arrived around 10 minutes later in a rectangular roasting tray. The burger arrived with fresh coleslaw which was crunchy with a slight spice that gave it a nice kick as well as hand cut chips which were somewhat floppy but actually tasted excellent. In no way did they seem undercooked or greasy, the perfect side. The burger itself was a large slab of tender, succulent, well-seasoned beef, one of the best I have tasted, topped with a chilli that was simply sublime. I could have eaten a bowl of the chilli alone it was that good.  The cheese and salad topped off the burger nicely and the bacon on one of the other burgers was also a juicy slice of heaven. Put simply, one of the best burgers I have eaten in recent times.

The pub itself is a pretty standard affair.  The usual photos on the walls and the bar, chairs and tables are all a little worn. The table we sat at in fact was slightly grainy to touch, as if someone had spilt salt on it and not cleaned it all up. The place as a whole however does seem relatively clean although it is obvious that people drinking there is its primary function as oppose to the food it serves.

The staff are friendly and polite. They offered us condiments with our meals and did not seem put out when we agreed to some. They were bought out quickly and the quality of the condiments was actually rather good, no cheap sachets. The bar staff are chatty and the place has a very welcoming feel.

Overall whilst the Orange Tree is little more than your average run-of-the-mill drinking spot, the atmosphere and especially it’s food, makes it a place well worth a visit. The prices match the food quality and they have a wide range of beers on tap. During the day this place is great for groups of friends or couples wanting a causal meal and at night is perfect to stop of for a drink. In summary, treemendous.

Lacktry’s

 

Yet another foray into the world of standard pub food with Langtry’s, situated on South Sherwood Street opposite the entrance of Cornerhouse. It seems I can’t get away from it recently.

We dined on a Saturday afternoon and on entering were met with a wealth of, shall we say, older clientele. I’m not saying we were the youngest there, but I imagine if you added both our ages, you would be lucky to find someone younger than that. (52 in case you were wandering). The pub itself however is relatively clean despite its ‘rough around the edge’ appearance and the tables are also washed relatively thoroughly although do possess that slightly sticky quality of one too many spilled beers.

We sat at an empty table, of which there weren’t many, probably due to the horde OAP’s going out for a late night drink at 14:00 on this Saturday afternoon, and inspected the menu. Pies, burgers, casserole, lasagne, you know the drill – pub food with an extra lack of creativity.

I chose the steak and ale pie and my friend the sausage and blue monkey ale casserole each priced around the £7 mark We ordered and paid at the bar and came back to drink our drinks whilst waiting. One thing I do commend Langtry’s on is their wide selection of ales on draught. If you’re a fan of real ale then this should be a stop for you, if not for the food. Most ales and lagers are priced around £3.80 with cider being slightly more expensive.

Around 15-20 minutes later our food arrived. The steak and ale pie was surprisingly good. Large chunks of tender steak in gravy that lacked ale in all honesty, in a delicious, crispy, golden pastry. Served with cauliflower and broccoli which were both well cooked and 2 scoops of light fluffy mash, it didn’t make for a bad meal at all but the casserole fared less well. You couldn’t really taste the Blue Monkey ale and whilst the sausage was relatively tasty the vegetables came in small pieces rather than large chunks that you might find in a homemade casserole and it was full of beans and chickpeas more than anything else. It would probably suit most people in their as chewing large things is probably difficult with dentures but for anyone younger, it was far from fantastic.

Overall the food is pretty standard. You could honestly have it at any other pub and couldn’t tell the difference. The staff here are friendly and the drinks selection is impressive so if you come here for that then you would have a pleasant experience, however if you had come specifically for food, then you will be left wanting. I would really only recommend this place for a quality drink on a night out or if you are aged between 55 and dead.

The Average Trip To JeFoodsalum

 

Ever been to place that you remember being great? Then you go for a second visit and it doesn’t even come close? In fact it’s positively average? The Olde Trip To Jerusalem is exactly that. Located on by Nottingham castle, it is the UK’s oldest pub but it’s food definitely isn’t the best.

We dined on a Sunday, wanting something to chase away a hangover in all honesty, so we sat upstairs and ordered ourselves 2 prime steak burgers that came topped with cheese and bacon. They had no sweet potato fries so we settled for regular chips. We paid at the bar and had a couple of large lemonades as I couldn’t face beer at this point, which is a shame as they have their own brewery.

The burgers arrived around 15 minutes later presented on a triangular plate with a small bucket of fries and 2 small pots: one of gherkins and the other of a more fruity tasting tomato sauce with the consistency of salsa. The burger itself, despite being a fairly substantial chunk of meat, was dryer than a dead pan comedian’s sense of humor and blander than a BBC, pre watershed, period drama.  The brioche bun wasn’t great either, dwarfing the burger. It’s only saving grace was the juicy bacon slice and the grated cheddar cheese that was much tastier than your standard out of the packet cheese slice. The chips were pretty standard, not seasoned in any way and the fruity tomato salsa dip was relatively tasteless; All in all, a hugely standard affair.

The pub itself is a completely different situation however. The Olde Trip to Jerusulem is steeped in history, cut out of the rock of castle, it is set out in several small rooms adorned with clean wooden tables and seating. It boasts the cursed galleon among other decorations and has its own self-titled beer among a fine selection of others on tap. The staff too are friendly and I would definitely recommend this place if you haven’t been before, albeit not for the food.

In summary this a great pub that used to have a great menu. Whilst the menu has only changed slightly in recent times, the food quality seems to have rapidly diminished. The prime steak burgers are priced around £9.50 and is far from worth the money. Soft drinks are around £2 and beers between £3.50 and £4 which in contrast to the food, is definitely worth it. Olde Trip used to be the complete package: excellent food and amazing beer but unfortunately whilst it retains its reputation as one of Nottingham’s best drinking spots, its food is like taking an Olde Trip into the distinctly average

Sald Short

 

Ye Olde Salutation Inn, located on Maid Marion Way, used to be a dive bar with a great atmosphere and great food, but unfortunately it is the food that has taken the dive as of late.

As you walk in through the front door the overpowering stench of stale beer hits you harder than a blind person running full speed into a brick wall. It simply smacks you like a brick in the face, which is not the most appetising thing when you have come here to eat. You open the next door and walk down a few stairs into the bar and seating area where we took our seat at rather sticky table. Looking around, I doubt that this was the only sticky one. We perused the menus: the usual pub food, pies, burgers, sandwiches etc but decided on the Zebra burgers that were on the specials board. These were priced around £8, sides between £3-4 and beers and ciders between £3.50 and £5.50 depending on what you want.

My friend joined an ever-growing queue at the bar and paid for our meals along with a pint of cider and a large glass of Coke. It was close to 20 minutes before our food finally arrived but it really wasn’t worth the wait. The burger was dryer than an unused towel and relatively flavourless. The chips that also came with it tasted bland and store bought. It’s disappointing as I have been here before and had an excellent burger however standards haves slid drastically since then. The side of onion rings we ordered came 5 minutes after the burgers for some reason and were some of the worst I have ever had the displeasure of tasting. Arriving with a lacklustre BBQ dip, the batter on the onion rings was quite soft and chewy and the onion wasn’t much different, making one truly awful onion ring.

The pub itself is one for the rock fans. Ye Olde Salutation is frequently home to gigs for bands in the local scene and a place that NTU’s RocSoc call home. There is popular rock music playing over the speakers such as AC/DC and Metallica and the place itself has a real dingy, rock hangout kind of vibe. I personally love this about Sal (as it’s commonly known). It knows what it is and it is unashamed of it. It is a fantastic bar to drink at during the evening and even has a small beer garden (more of a beer yard) to the side that is great for the summer.

The staff there are relatively friendly and polite but not overly and would definitely do the bare minimum for you, but anything above that, you might be asking too much.  You should expect this walking into Sal however. Chances are if you are in there, you are not there for a smile at the bar but for a decent pint (of which there is a vast selection of beers and ales) and to listen to some quality music.

Overall Sal is an uncompromising place with food that is pretty terrible, but I doubt anyone there really cares and you shouldn’t either. This establishment is excellent for a good drink and has a fantastic atmosphere especially in the evenings. On food you may be Sald short, however if you enjoy rock music and are looking for a place to stop off for a good time, this could be your salvation, but seriously don’t eat the food…..unless consuming mediocrity is your jam, in which case you’re going to be in for a treat.

Lincolnshire GoCher

 

 

 

Lincolnshire Poacher is a small Castle Rock pub halfway up the hill on Mansfield Road behind Victoria Centre. The fact that it is Castle Rock already tells you that it will have a plethora of lagers and ales but it also has the best pub food in Nottingham. The best.

I have ventured here on several occasions, this one particular visit taking place on a Thursday evening. We grabbed ourselves a drink from the bar, one Black Iris Ale and pint of Cider (each around £3.80) and sat in the conservatory. We took a quick look at the menu which is very limited. For mains there are perhaps no more than 10 options, and dessert only 2. Do not let this deter you however as the food that they do offer is superb. On the menu are things such as burgers, sausage and mash, meatballs and pie. They also have specials boards above the bar for other options as well as the ‘burger of the day’ and ‘pie of the day’.

I chose the burger of the day which on this occasion was beef and chilli with hallumi cheese and my friend opted for the Mediterranean chicken.  We paid at the bar and went back to our seats where we waited for around 15 minutes before our food appeared. As usual it was far from disappointing. The burger was succulent and juicy, the red chilli peppers giving it an added kick and the hollumi topping it off beautifully severed in a crispy ciabbatta bun, it was the kind of burger God would eat.  The Mediterranean chicken came with roast potatoes and all manner of roasted seasonal vegetable, draped in a deliciously creamy sauce that tasted like a masala sauces’ continental cousin. The chicken was moist and the vegetables perfectly cooked. Yet another triumph.

On this occasion we only had the one course but from experience, the desserts and starters also pack a delicious punch and if you go on a Sunday, they offer one of the finest roast dinners around. I really don’t have enough good words to say about the food here.

The pub itself is one of two halves. You have the bar area and the indoor seating around it which, in all honesty, has seen better days. The tables are still clean and the pub as a whole is tidy but looking around it just seems a little shabby. The conservatory however is a different story. It is light an airy with new, comfy leather seats, great to sit in on those summer days if its too packed in the beer garden.

The staff here are also friendly and polite. They aren’t wooden in any way and seem genuinely happy to be working and will help you out with recommendations on beer or food or if you require anything to make your stay more pleasurable.

As previously mentioned the food here is pure pub grub heaven. Most maim meals will set you back between £7-£10 but it is the kind of meal that I would have quite happily paid more than that for. Whether you are a beer connoisseur, in the area, or want the best pub meal you’ve ever eaten in Nottingham, be sure to go-cher.