No Cold Shoulder Here... (Pubs in Staffordshire in general)

Member Name: markw-d

Product:	Pubs in Staffordshire in general
Date:	22/12/01 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great food, friendly, shows the football

Disadvantages: Shuts sometimes

When we made the decision to move to the village of Barton Under Needwood in Staffordshire, there were a number of very important things which we had to check before completing the purchase.

Was there a good school for the children?
Was there good road and rail links for me to commute to London or Manchester? and most importantly....
Was there a good pub which showed the Premiership Football matches and had a nice log fire?

Barton is well served in all departments and has within the village boundaries no less than 7 pubs, all of which have their own unique features and style.

My favourite however is the Shoulder of Mutton on main street.

Bob and June are the owners and have that important knack of making you immediately welcome.

It really is a pub of two halves in that there is a traditional and spacious timbered bar which is dominated by a pool table, games machine and a massive screen and projector which shows live Football and Rugby matches. The atmosphere here when England beat Germany 5-1 was fantastic.

The other side of the pub is a cosy lounge area with a small dining area, log fire and friendly crowd of regulars.

Outside the front and facing the village church are tables and chairs which are well populated in summer, and to the rear a large car park, landscaped patio area with palms and bog grass, and a fenced off childrens play area.

The beers are predominatly the Bass range of bitters and Carling lager and there is always a very dangerous looking guest ale on tap.

From a food perspective there is a comprehensive bar menu and a fantastic specials board. Di, the chef is a master at her craft and makes one of the best Steak Rossini's I have ever tasted. The food at the Shoulder is renowned locally.

All of the pubs in Barton are very good, but for me the Shoulder is now firmly my local.

Summary: