Royal Oak, The

On the Shropshire/Staffordshire borders the word is out. Paul and Christine Waite, formerly of the New Inns at Kiddemore Green have re-appeared, less than two miles away at The Royal Oak in Bishopswood.

Between them they have transformed the run-down Royal Oak into a friendly neighbourhood bar and restaurant, using clever re-arrangement of the space, cool colours and rustic furniture, with a cosy back bar for the locals, to make a venue that is well on the way to achieving the same levels of popularity as their former location.

Chris is offering the same simple but satisfying dishes, with minimal formality, the sort of pub grub that people love, at prices that miraculously have hardly changed since they left their former hot spot three years ago.

With a short, unpretentious wine list, Timothy Taylor's Landord and other top flight real ales on the taps, they are well focused on the local community's needs. This is not gourmet dining, it is wholesome, well-cooked food in generous proportions, every bit as good as you'd enjoy at home - dare it be said, sometimes better - at prices people simply cannot afford to ignore, in congenial surroundings. Just try their Sunday lunch menu if you want proof of this.

Here is neighbourhood living at its best. When Paul and Chris were at the New Inns you often had to wait for a table - there are more of them at The Royal Oak and believe me they are going to need every one of them.

See you there.