Jersey Lily

Thursday 2nd October 2008

This is a Crackerjack review of Jersey Lily. Do you agree? Rate and review this venue.

The new edition of the Michelin Eating Out In Pubs Guide 2009 lists 563 venues, all of them chosen for the quality of their food, service and ambience.

Bristol has five establishments in the guide – The Albion, The Kensington Arms, The Pump House, Robin Hood’s Retreat and Queen Square Dining Room & Bar – and there’s no reason why there shouldn’t be more next year, especially after the Michelin editor Derek Bulmer’s interview in pub trade paper the Morning Advertiser.

Bulmer named the South West, and particularly Somerset and Wiltshire, as growing hotspots for food-driven pubs. Even more encouraging was his view on what constitutes an ideal pub menu.

“I like to see really old pub dishes done to a high standard – classics like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips,” said Bulmer, before adding that he thought pubs are in a better position than fine dining restaurants as they appeal to a wider range of people.
“Anyone can feel comfortable eating in pubs,” said the man whose opinion on food probably holds more sway than most.

All of this will be good news for pubs like the Jersey Lily, which seems to have pitched its food offering at just the right market.

Rather than trying to be a fancy pants gastropub, this Whiteladies Road pub sticks to simple classics – ham, egg and chips (£6.25), battered cod and chips (£6.45), sausage and mash with onion gravy (£6.45) – as well as steaks from the grill and a few daily specials (rack of lamb with mash and minted gravy for just £7.95 caught my eye).

And it’s not just the food offering at the Jersey Lily that the owners have got right. The real ale – Butcombe Bitter, Butcombe Gold and Doom Bar – and cider (Taunton Traditional on draught) – is kept well and holds the Cask Marque for quality.

For those drinkers with even stronger constitutions, there are also at least 24 whiskies on offer, including Ardbeg, Laphroig and the Oban 14-year-old – perfect for those long winter evenings on the leather sofas by the fireplace at the far end of this increasingly popular and well-run pub.

Mark Taylor

This is a Crackerjack review of Jersey Lily. Do you agree? Rate and review this venue.