Week Fifty One: Keys and Kitchen

Week Fifty One

  Second last blog post of the year and its Christmas time! Whey! Merry Christmas everyone.  Only the one place visited and it was back in my hometown Stratford Upon Avon.  Shakespeare's birthplace if you want the history.

  Make sure you catch next week which will be a special year end review edition.  Looking tasty.

  

Special guests include: Will Wright and my biggest fan (Chris Hazell)

Summary of Keys and Kitchen

Name: Keys and Kitchen

Type: Pub

Location: 6 Ely Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6LW

Website: http://keysandkitchen.co.uk

Date Visited: 24/12/14

Price: Well priced

Rating: 3.5/5

Review

 I had returned to the promised land and Christmas eve was upon us.  Seems weird to be saying that as we approach the summer of 2015.  I was at my Dads in Broadway but very keen to venture into Stratford-Upon-Avon for a few drinks as I always like getting a tad messy the night before Christmas (wow your so cool).  There were not many willing participants but Will Wright and my biggest fan (Chris Hazell) were keen.  We started off at the Windmill before heading to the popular and trendy Church Street Townhouse which had a cracking live band performing, which we were loving.

The live music at Church Street Townhouse

  From there we moved onto Ely Street to try out the new establishment of the Keys and Kitchen.  For those local readers out there who know Stratford-Upon-Avon, this used to be the Cross Keys opposite the Queens Head.  The three of us were keen to try it out and we were not left disappointed. The place was heaving and the atmosphere buzzing with the festive music blaring out from the speakers.  We were only there for a couple but I rate this little boozer.  It is deceptively big, with it looking tiny from the outside due to its small room at front of the bar, but it goes back very far and has a superb beer garden to the rear.  I must say we were all impressed and I’d happy come back here again when I next visit Stratford. 

Will, me and my biggest fan (Chris Hazell)

The place describes itself as having that country pub with an extraordinary twist.  Not often will I agree with a pubs self description of itself, on this occasion I will to an extent, as that was exactly the feel this place had.  Maybe an extraordinary modern twist is a bit misleading.  The place is newly opened (back in December) and worth visiting if your out for a few drinks in Stratford.  That said it was Christmas Eve so we could of caught it on a good night.  Worth a look.

Special Shoutout
Winner:Lucy Speich

This penultimate winner goes to Lucy Speich and it is richly deserved.  Another loyal reader who thoroughly deserves the shout out with her entering the category of a weekly reader.  She has always been very supportive and describes herself as 'a fan'.  Top work Lucy and continue the support.  Spread the word!

Poem Advice

In Shakespeares home town
Out for a few beers
Then visit Keys and Kitchen
Good atmos with christmas cheers!



Thanks again for the read guys and keep the support coming.  Make sure you catch next week for a special year end review.

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Week Fifty: The Cadogan Arms

Week Fifty

  With the first of three blog posts before the end of 2014.  Again only the one place this week and it was a visit to a classic pub on the Kings Road.  A good pub too.


  

Special guests include: Will Wright, Mike Sedcole, Tom Griggs and Luke Chopper Harris.

Summary of The Cadogan Arms

Name: The Cadogan Arms

Type: Pub

Location: 298 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UG

Website: http://www.thecadoganarmschelsea.com

Date Visited: 15/12/14

Price: Ok

Rating: 3.7/5

Review

 It was time for another university reunion with my old housemates from 2nd and final year.  It wasn't all 5 of us as Nick Jay is still residing in Leeds preparing for his big summer wedding later this year.  Stag weekend coming soon folks, Berlin too....

  Now when the four of us meet up it has to be a competition between Griggs and Myself V Sedcole and Wrighty.   These usually involve a sport of some kind and this time, after previous rounds of bowling, table tennis and gambling, it was time for pool (billiards for the traditionalists out there).  It was tricky to find a venue that specifically does this or where you can rent a table for this sole purpose.  Well shall I tell you which venue does offer this service? The Cadogan Arms that's where.

Action shot of Griggs bottling it

  Here for an extremely cheap £10 you can hire a table for an hour in a private room, they cleverly call this 'The Billiards Room'.   This room is brilliant and has two tables available for hire and is nicely tucked away upstairs.  You can bring your beers and order food for it to be brought up there, which makes things nicely convenient.  They call that table service Jack.

  The equipment was well looked after too, which was important to the actual game of Pool and made for an enjoyable contest. I unfortunately lost.  Moving quickly on and back to the place.  I think its a tidy little venue and I like the Billiards room, you can also hire it out for birthdays and turn it into a dining room with the pool tables removed.  I think would be a good little area for a birthday as it could easily hold 50.  Not the cheapest option though.

The moment me and Griggs lost the pool

  The food was good but a little pricey, what do you expect in Chelsea?! and I was a little annoyed that once we finished the pool and returned to the bar downstairs they wouldn't let us sit at a nearby table.  'It's for the restaurant only Sir!' I was kindly informed.  Fair enough and I do understand that, but it was 945pm on a Monday night (you lads out on a Monday!?!?!) and every table was empty in the 'restaurant'.   Bit unnecessary I thought, lacked a bit of common sense.

Good shot this one.  Nun pun intended

  This was the only downside of the evening, that and losing.  The Cadogan Arms is definitely worth a visit if you are a fan of pool and one to consider if you are looking for an area which can fit around 50 people for a birthday meal or an occasion of some sort.  Beer was decent, the pub itself is impressive and the food ok.  I liked it.  Would of got a 4 if it wasn't for the waiter denying access to the holy grail/table.  Good job.

Special Shoutout
Winner: Luke Chopper Harris

He's got it once already but he richly deserves his second special shoutout of the season.  The man it seems is genuinely interested in the blog and continues to recommend places, while sharing his personal critique.  Although others have ironically been called the 'blogs biggest fan', this man is definitely up there as one of them.  Your support over the year has not gone unnoticed and has been greatly appreciated. Keep it coming Chops. 

Poem Advice

Searching for some pool
While your on Kings Road
Then off to Cadogan Arms
Only £10 at this abode


Thanks again for the read guys and keep the support coming.

Remember to do the three most important things:

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See you next week fans

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