Old Bull and Bush, The

The history of The Old Bull and Bush goes back to 1721 but it leapt to fame in the 1920s with the music hall song 'The Old Bull and Bush' sung by Florrie Ford, the 'Madonna' of her time. It is one of those pubs that have surfaced on the mainstream of casual eating in the UK in the last ten years and are taking an increasing share of the market, evidenced by their growth in numbers and the popularity of what they have to offer. If this results in a 'type' there is certainly no harm in that.

Contemporary pubs such as these usually share a number of characteristics. An important feature is space, preferably a restaurant where you are comfortable, not over-awed, and not sharing elbow space with the next table, however sociable they may be. Good, too, to have an al fresco eating out space - The Old Bull and Bush has a front terrace garden with soft bench seating and cafe style furniture - and by no means least a roomy and well stocked bar where you can actually get served without undue delay. After all, drinking should be taken seriously.

If a pub offers all of these, and is in a good location, there is little reason in today's economic climate why it should not flourish. The Old Bull and Bush, with its traditional pub hospitality, deep leather seating, stone fired ovens, and attractive teak furniture provides ample evidence that this is true.

But of course there are other factors, not least of which is the food and drink. The term 'gastropub' covers a multitude of blessings, and it is possible to see influences of brasserie, bistro, restaurant and even café at work within the great gastro umbrella. So expect to find no one single cuisine, but a blend designed to provide something for everybody, no matter what their treat may be.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, Spanish tapas of Serrano ham, manchego, sardines, chorizo and tortilla, a baked Camembert with rustic bread, Greek mezze with taramasalata with humus, tzatziki, feta and flatbread, or a pizzette with garlic, rocket and Parmesan. Amongst the starters, there is freshly made soup, smoked ham with poached egg, muffin and hollandaise, beetroot gravadlax with horseradish crème fraiche and caramelised onion tart with goats' cheese and rocket. Look, too, for Black Pearl scallops when the market is right.

The salads offer a seared salmon Caesar with marinated anchovies and parmesan, or tandoori chicken with spinach, mango and cucumber mint yoghurt and crispy duck salad with watercress, spring onions and yakatori sauce. These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic medley of tomato, mozzarella and basil, duck, tomato, plum sauce and spring onions or the unusual four cheese version with roasted pear and rosemary. For the big event there is always a fish of the day or risotto on request.

The steak burger, which has risen from the confines of fast food chains, carves a niche for itself on the menu and comes with Swiss cheese, bacon, relish and fries. For hearty eaters there are cod and prawn fishcakes with wilted spinach, hollandaise and poached egg or the hearty combination of venison, wild mushroom, baby onion and pancetta hot. A wide range of supporting dishes includes buttered new potatoes, Belgian frites and mayo, and greens, leeks and peas. For those who have to be lashed to a plank to induce them to eat root vegetables, trying the honey roasted carrots there might change their mind. For desserts resort to the blackboard, where there is always a good display, often with some of the local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

The Old Bull and Bush stocks a wide range of beers, both well loved draught ales and bottled from further afield. The wine list covers plenty of territory from traditional clarets to Pinot Grigio, and champagne by the glass or bottle is always available. Service is cheerful, brisk and totally in keeping with the friendly nature of a good traditional English gastropub.

A well constructed Website enables you to keep in touch with menu changes or forthcoming events. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.