Selly Park Tavern, Pershore Road, Selly Park
EVER noticed how many swear words that you wouldn’t say in front of the children end with an ‘er’?
The same goes for Ember Inns. It’s been a banned phrase in our house for years.
Since our youngest child is still nine years adrift of Ember’s over-14s policy, it’s going to be almost a decade before we can eat there as a family (unless we can find a warm, sunny day when our junior outcasts would apparently be welcome to stay put like dogs in the garden).
But, with all three of our children now at school, we arranged a lunchtime trip to the Selly Park Tavern to satisfy our adult curiosity.
As well as a skittles alley for private functions, this pub has a tastefully-decorated interior – though a draught caused by the side door finishing 1cm short of the floor forced us to move before our food finally arrived.
The wait was counterproductive because we were now feeling rather chilly. Just like the grub.
Collette’s “naked” chicken burger was cold. And tough.
One out of two would be bad enough. Two is a disaster, so she left most of her meat to concentrate on her chips which, unfortunately, like mine, were lukewarm.
Though a touch warmer, at least, my lamb, rosemary and goats’ cheese burger had a fine taste.
Thank goodness, I thought, that I hadn’t fallen for the January “two for one” offer on a limited range of meals and ordered TWO “naked” chicken burgers!
No member of staff had earlier known anything about my guest Daleside cask ale.
And, since nobody came to ask how our meals were, it seemed pointless to complain, especially as we wouldn’t have had time to wait for a replacement burger even if it had been offered.
Having arrived with high hopes, we left disappointed with our first Ember Inns’ meal.
As Collette said going home, “I’d much rather be at home on St Valentine’s night with our children”.
The Bill
1pt Cask ale – £1.79
1 14oz Pepsi – £1.38
1 Lamb burger – £6.81
1 naked chicken burger – £5.83
Total: £15.81
The Verdict
PLUS: Lovely building exudes character.
MINUS: draughty door and food either barely warm or cold.
Best deal
Grill nights every Tuesday, curry nights each Thursday – meal and drink for £5.99.
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