http://www.thecatheadinn.co.uk/
The Cat can be found in the little village of Chiselborough and I’m pleased to report it is a great place to stop for a break from the tedium that is the A303. Andrew and I stumbled across the place by accident, sent there by a pub landlord in neighbouring Chinnock who was all booked out for Sunday lunch. Judging by the wall of awards next to the bar, this particular cat is loved, and we can see why.
The place achieves a refreshingly simple take on the gastro-pub phenomenon, offering a choice of five starters, mains and puds. Pricing is simple - £8 for one course, rising to £14 for three. The pub’s interior is fresh and bright, with exposed sandstone and simple wooden tables and chairs. I should also mention a fine, deceptively large pub garden with terraces and lawns.
With a hunger pang and a hangover to resolve we ordered - calamari for Andrew, bacon and liver salad for me, and roast sirloin beef times two for our mains. Warm ciabbata and french baguette arrived and was promptly devoured. The two starters both featured their name sakes on beds of lightly dressed, well prepared leaves and chopped peppers and cucumber. Given the price and freshness of the food and the bargain pricing, it is churlish to mention that the calamari wore an overly thick, spongy batter and the liver was overcooked, while the diced pepper and cucumber was difficult to eat.
The roast beef arrived with a good, homemade gravy, Yorkshire pud and a big bowl of fresh vegetables and was most definitely superior to the microwaved Sunday lunch offerings from most pubs. The damage was £27 for this tasty grub including a G&T and a pint. We left refreshed, our hangovers sedated and our stomachs pleasantly full!
I will definitely be stopping at the Cat next time I head down to the West Country.
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