Bars & Pubs

The Well is a small gastropub with large windows and heavy blue awnings, providing a voyeur’s perspective of this corner of university land. It’s owned by Tom and Ed Martin – who also run the Gun , White Swan and British newcomer Empress of India – so it’s a surprise that no real ales are served. Instead there are premium lagers (Meantime’s organic Helles, Leffe, Amstel, Paulaner), seven house cocktails and eight freshly made juices and smoothies – including such options as raspberry and mint, and pear and cinnamon. Tables are crammed in and the bar, overseen by a large bunch of crimson lilies and serenaded by dance music on our visit, can be hectic; table service is a necessity, and staff are mostly efficient and friendly. Food options span classic pub grub (a comforting fish pie, Gloucester Old Spot sausages with mash, pint o’ prawns and mayonnaise) and more fanciful creations. We loved the special starter of beetroot-cured salmon with horseradish chantilly, though the portion was a little mean. A large bowl of white bean soup was too heavy-handed with cream, making it difficult to finish. Pork chop ‘crépinette’ came bundled with crushed potatoes in a caul wrap – needless, in truth, as the good ingredients didn’t need such pretentious fiddling.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008