Old Bull's Head, The

The Old Bull's Head is a typical village pub that has a stylish contemporary feel, a light open dining room with a striking centrepiece in the form of a wall to ceiling glass wine cellar. Its stylish interiors, spacious restaurant and large bar are much prized by the locals in the leafy village of Woodhouse Eaves and those who come from further afield to savour its appeal.

The bar, with its dominant fireplace makes a good spot in which to unwind or catch up with friends. It is a popular meeting place for locals who love the restaurant's attention to detail, the friendly service and warm welcome. The newly introduced bar menu offers light bites throughout the day.

The Old Bull's Head stocks a wide range of beers, both well trusted local 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 English gastropub.

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 a garden, with seating for fifty on the front garden and patio and a further sixty on decking at the rear, 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's Head provides ample evidence that this is true, having once again taken its place as the fulcrum of village life. 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, grilled asparagus with poached egg, parmesan and rocket, seared pigeon with roasted beetroot and blood orange salad and smoked salmon with tomato salsa, guacamole and sour cream. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer a traditional Caesar salad with chicken, marinated anchovies and parmesan, or for the seafood fiends some seared prawns with chorizo, chilli, spinach and lemon dressing.
 
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, or the pepperoni version. Pastas include spaghetti with salmon, peas, spinach and cream and
macaroni with blue cheese and mushrooms.  For the big event one can try the chef's special risotto or there is always the fish of the day. Line caught swordfish with a warm salad of pak choi, shitake mushrooms and mango is another healthy option.

The steak burger with Swiss cheese, bacon, relish and fries is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating, as is the spit roast chicken with chasseur sauce and frites . A wide range of supporting dishes includes buttered new potatoes, Belgian frites and mayo, and greens, leeks and peas.

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. 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.