"I’ve eaten here before over many years and was very surprised to find how quiet it was here on the night. Having been travelling to the other side of the world and back for the last few months I was looking forward to real British carvery, with maybe a beer, so when visiting life long friends in Bromsgrove we decided to splash out on a 6:30 pm trip for dinner. It’s a pub of two half’s, with the old roadside part of restaurant bar and a larger glass filled seating extension over looking the canal, so there’s plenty of room if it gets busy, but we always phone for a booking first to ensure that the carvery is actually on. Thing is now days, since recent events in the U.K. demand has somewhat dropped so we’ve lost a lot of good eateries especially those that are away from main roads in the countryside and as I said before there were only a few tables in use with maybe 30 people seated in the older area. We were greeted by the young lady at the bar and pointed to our table for 4. She then came over to take our drinks order but as we weren’t ordering anything from the food menu just carvery’s she and her colleague were soon back with our drinks and carvery tickets. Now my mate had a pint of draft Doom Bar, which I know can be a little challenging to present for the smaller establishment as transporting and tapping times can vary flavour, but he was very happy with his. The ladies had one half of a Guinness, and a half of shandy beer, both of which were fully drained over the course of the meal , a very good sign indeed, as the ladies are never shy of comment on food or drink. For myself I tried a pint of TimothyTaylor, which is a very big treat for me, as my love of beers has been strictly curtailed due to health problems, so I was extremely happy to report that the pint not only passed muster it was very tasty. Now onto the food, this may be of interest to those who’ve never visited before. The carvery is set out behind a Covid Screen, with the chef presenting your choice of meat with another staff member, filling up the plate to your orders as you go. Some may find this upsetting thinking you don’t get what you want or as much. Rubbish. Forewarned is forearmed, don’t be shy. I asked for and got three slices of beef and turkey each as I do not like pork or ham as much. As for the veg, and there was a lot of choice here, and they did not skimp on any of the servings, at all! Why the chef even presented me with a boat of extra gravy to help was down the vast amount of vegetables. So my advice is to take your time, be assertive as to your choices and amounts but be aware that at busier times it may take a little longer so send up your slower eaters first. Being with my wife, who is a professional carvery eating specialist, I can report everything was very tasty. For myself the Yorkshire puddings were slightly over done, however they still remained soft inside and with the gravy, mmmmmmmm. My favourite. The turkey was moist with loads of flavour, the beef very good. Now root veg can be a little changeable over the year but all the carrot , parsnips, swede tasted fine. The cauliflower cheese, garlic potatoes absolutely perfect, not as good as my Moms of course but still a very good second. Peas, sprouts, roast potatoes all very good, and as I missed out in a tradition Christmas dinner this year I was very happy to see the sprouts. There were more veg on offer , sweetcorn kernels , boiled potatoes, cabbage etc but I’d over indulged on my choices so the plate was full, hence the extra gravy boat. Over all what did the four of us think? Drinks good. Food very good Service very good indeed 5 stars? NO…… 4 half yes. Folks it’s a restaurant, still running after all the c**p the last few years has thrown at it, many such places have closed or fallen well below par, this place has managed to stay afloat. There appeared to be three staff on , maybe more in kitchen but all three did an excellent job though out the time we were there. The results was Four very full happy diners. So thanks again Eagle Sun, we will return yet again."
