Welcome -to Wakefield?

I write my first blog to you all from Wakefield of all places (I am from Shropshire vis Birmingham if you must know).  I am here to work on some project or other that stresses me out, but that's not for here.  I am staying in the Best Western St Pierre, just outside Wakefield and it's not a bad hotel really, but that's not what my post tonight is about.

I went for dinner at a pub called the Fox and Hounds (672 Barnsley Road, Newmillerdam, WAKEFIELD, WF2 6QQ). From the outside the pub promises a lot and it looks like a nice bistro type of a place, but look inside you see it's very confused.  I say this because you have the outward appearance, as I mentioned, but then inside you have garish advertisements for food and events, think luminous bubble writing.  The left hand side of the pub is what I would call a 'traditional' pub; pool table, pictures of the regulars and staff drunk etc.  But the right hand side is more tastefully decorated with mat leather chairs and heritage colours.  The problem is that these aren't separate rooms, its the same room!  What else is weird is a collection of old magazines, more like a doctors surgery than a pub!


The restaurant part is separate however, but you do have the option of eating in the bar from either a bar menu or the main menu.  The decor in the restaurant was different  again, sort of twee country kitchen and doilies (although there were no doilies, it felt like there should have been!).  The menu was basic pub faire; Fish n Chips, Chilli, Mixed Grill etc and very reasonably priced.  A comment on the menu stated that nothing was bought in preprepared, everything was prepared on-site, which is something that made me warm towards the place.  I opted for Gammon and chips and a pint of Timothy Taylors Landlord which is one of my favourite beers, so this place is starting to win me over!  There were two other ales available and both were local, again, something to the Fox and Hounds credit.  The service friendly and prompt, and the food itself was well cooked and substantial although I'm not sure about the chunk of orange in the salad.  Its not going to win any Michelin starts, but  at £11.75 which included the pint, what more can you ask for?


I finished my food and stood in the bar admiring the very impressive whisky menu and I heard the sound of an accordian over the Wham soundtrack.  Then I hear a fiddle, then another, and before you know it there is a full on Irish (I think) jam going on from the old beardy boys in the corner.  I have no idea if this was a regular thing or not, but it was one of those unexpected moments that warms your heart.  I sat and finished my beer while watching these guys and gals having a lovely old time and enjoying themselves to boot, and then I headed off back to the hotel.


I find it hard to sum up the Fox and Hounds as it is a place of contrasts. It's like a place owned by someone with a split personality, but would I go back?  For good food and good beer (and maybe whisky) at a reasonalbe price then yes I would.  And who knows, you might even get some free entertainment!


M