St Cross Church, Winchester

The Bell Inn

 83 St Cross Road

 Winchester, SO23 9RE

  Tel 01962 865284

Vegetarian: Yes

Parking: Own car parks

Wheelchairs: Not easy, best to enquire

Loos: Average

Visited May 2008

 
The Bell Inn is situated on the right hand side of St. Cross Road when travelling into Winchester.  The Car Park is a right turn in front of the pub, take it easy it's a busy road!  If you miss the turn there is another right hand turn just after the pub which takes you to the parking area near St. Cross Church.
 
The Bell recently changed hands, it is now a small family run business and the new owners completed a refurbishment in February.  Opening times for eating are Mon - Sat noon - 2pm and 6.30 - 9pm. On Sundays noon - 4 and 6.30 - 9pm. 
 
We were 6 for lunch but only 4 had starters; 3 homemade breaded brie wedges served with salad and cranberry sauce @ £4.75 and 1 homemade Thai style fish cakes with sweet chilli dip and salad @ £5.00.   Choices from the Specials Board of the day were salmon fillets with crushed new potatoes, shallots and vegetables @ £8.00 and smoked salmon salad with new potatoes @ £6.75.  Fortunately, I had been forewarned about the size of the homemade shepherd's pie and they were right, I would not have managed to finish the yummy pie if I had had a starter!  At £6.75 it was the best value but we were all pleased and can recommend this establishment for good pub grub at very reasonable prices.

For research purposes we ordered a homemade summer pudding with clotted cream @ £3.75 and 6 spoons.  We felt it was a bit stodgy and needed more fruit and juices, however the clotted cream made all the difference!  We finished with freshly ground coffee @ £1.75 per very large cup and served with a small biscuit.

During our meal we managed a couple of bottles of wine and for Real Ale lovers there are a few good beers to choose from.  The Staff were very friendly and am sure the new owners will do well.  The pub is small and bearing that in mind, booking a table is essential, particularly for their Sunday roasts @ only £6.95!   

 

Cost £ £ £ £

Quality of food  3/5    
Variety of menu  3/5
Staff & Service  3/5    
Ambience, setting and decor  4/5
Value for money  4/5  

Total Yummy Factor 17/25

Report SM (who still hasn't got a digital camera, sorry)!

                    

5/5 = Cannot be improved upon, 4/5 = Very good, 3/5 = Good, 2/5 = Satisfactory, 1/5 = Poor, 0/5 = Terrible
The higher the "Yummy" factor, the better the food & service.  The higher the number of £ signs the more expensive.  ( Roughly one £ sign = £5 per head )
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