The Barge, Seend (From This Is Wiltshire)

The Barge, Seend

1:16pm Friday 15th May 2009

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I can, just about, remember The Barge when it was a dark, almost spit and sawdust, pub.

Friends had said how nice it is, so we went along to investigate.

Back when we used to visit the place it was very much a canal-side pub with plenty of canalware hanging from every beam and post.

When we returned I wouldn’t have known it was the same pub.

Most of the decorated jugs and pots have gone, giving a less cluttered feel but just as welcoming.

Had it been a warm summer evening we would probably have eaten in the outside garden.

But since it was a little early in the year we went inside where there is plenty choice of places to sit.

We had the choice of a conservatory-type room at the side of the pub which was overlooking the canal to the bar area.

We decided on the restaurant which is so spacious there is little chance of overhearing anyone elses conversation.

There is also a large fireplace which would make for cosy eating in the winter.

The menu isn’t huge but a specials board changes daily.

I chose the risotto starter (£5.50) which was deliciously creamy and tasty with green beans, courgettes and finely chopped peppers.

Tom chose the mixed seafood starter (£5.25) that included crab, squid, crevette, prawns and topped with an enormous mussel.

It was quite a plateful.

While not being rushed the service was fairly swift and we didn’t have to wait long before a lamb shank with spring onion mash and mixed green vegetables (£14.95) arrived along with my pan-fried sea bass, salmon and roasted monk fish (£15.50).

The fish portions were carefully balanced on each other at an angle, sitting on spinach and sauté potatoes and were graced by a dill and mustard sauce.

The desserts were tempting and, despite the main courses having been filling, I chose coffee and hazelnut crème brulee.

It was a dream with just the right balance of flavour.

I pinched some of Tom’s pannacotta with red berries (strawberries and redcurrants) and found they had a good sharp taste to round off the meal (both £4.95.

The Barge was not complacent and had a card on the table asking for our comments with questions such as what was our favourite dish and what dishes would we like to see on the menu?

We were both pretty much satisfied customers.

Rita Sangster

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