That is if you venture into The Bear and Lace bar and restaurant on Maid Marian Way. The venue reinvented itself at the latter part of last year, under the new management of Glenn Tarry in a bid to move away from its reputation as a high-end champagne and cocktail bar.
This is one of many deals Glenn has introduced. Others include a 2-4-1 cocktail deal, all day, every day, and £15 offer on a bottle of Prosecco. Another huge change has been allowing children into the venue for the first time, until 9pm, and the addition of a Cub’s Food menu offering fish fingers, sausage and mash, pizza and spaghetti. On the opposite end of the scale is the Grizzly Bear Challenge; a 32oz steak, 2 and half lbs chips and two slices of garlic bread.
Our wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon, and slips down nicely during the short wait for our lunches. The usual menu is available, but the Sunday lunch comes in two options; slow cooked pork loin with crunchy crackling or topside of beef cooked with thyme and served pink. We order one of each and both arrive at out table well presented and a good quantity of food on both. The beef is thick and flavoursome, the pork succulent, both are served with tasty spring vegetables, chunky mixed carrots, swede and onion, plus sage and onion stuffing and homemade on the day, light and crispy Yorkshire pudding. All served with a generous helping of rich gravy. A delicious take on a Sunday lunch.
Our plates were cleared quickly, and I’m pleased to say that service was always with a smile, despite the fact that I did not disclose that I was reviewing until after we had eaten.
Glenn is still working on future plans for the venue. With a Tesco Express next door they have some serious competition for the easy option lunch time deal, but the £4.95 sandwich, chips and drink option, with the promise of a 10 minute delivery time is proving a real hit with local businesses. Glenn plans to improve on the service in the near future with the introduction of a WhatsApp order service which will allow you to pay online and collect your order. A feature which should prove popular for workers and nearby students.
