Old White Beare

Category: Under £20

The Old White Beare is a rarity amongst pubs these days. While many now focus on food at the expense of the local drinker, the Beare (as its referred to by locals) manages to combine both a traditional ale house (serving arguably the best bitter around - Timothy Taylors Landlord) with both a high quality bar menu and a al carte dining area set in the back rooms of this 16th century building.

I've now had the pleasure of eating at both the Old White Beare and its sister pub the Stansfield Arms in Apperley Bridge (near Rawdon) which are both owned by the same company Greencliffe Taverns.  Since they took over the two historic venues, the shift towards the gastro pub status has been a dramatic and a successful one.

The bar menu offers the diner a number of options with a three course meal setting you back in the region of £16 per person plus drinks. Most mains are around the £8-£9 mark but with options such as Fast Roasted Local Belly Pork and Whitby Haddock, the prices are pretty reasonable.

As it was a Friday night when we visited and were going out after the meal, my girlfriend and I thought the bar menu was the best option on this occasion although the a la carte menu looks well worth sampling when you have a little more time to enjoy a longer meal and one of the many wines on offer.

To start with we decided to share (which is always the best way) the Smoked Salmon (£4.95) and the Classic Prawn Cocktail (£4.10). I don't think you can tire of either starter if you like them both and we weren't disappointed. The prawns were juicy and cleverly sat in a hollow wholemeal bread bun with Marie Rose sauce and the Salmon was
beautifully presented, bursting with cream cheese, cucumber and lemon zest. Both were very good and the main courses lived up to this high standard of presentation and quality too. A hearty Flaked Ham Hock sandwich for me served with potato wedges, coleslaw and mixed salad (£5.95) washed down with a pint of Landlord of course with Laura choosing a lovely fresh Greek salad £8.95, one of six on the summer menu. Both mains were good-sized portions with the salad having plenty of feta cheese and olives unlike salads we've had elsewhere.

Our waitress for the evening was on top form as were all the staff in their smart black uniforms giving the Greencliffe Taverns brand a recognisable look of quality. In fact, everything about the place suggests quality, and the company is keen on promoting their venues and their versatility. Earlier this year the Beare became the focal point for the village of Norwood Green as it held its annual Summer Ball complete with marquee and other events are all ready in the pipeline, notably a star-studded wine tasting evening with no other than former England cricket stars Ian Botham and Bob Willis.

As a wine and cricket fan, its one good reason for me to go back to the Beare but far a more important reason is that we were too full to try a dessert! Despite the homemade desserts board staring at us throughout the meal, it was just too much, so we settled for two coffees instead. Still a perfect way to end to a good meal and set us up for the night ahead but to also ensure we'll be back one day to see what we missed.

Reviewed by James Mason

Review Summary

Atmosphere ♦♦♦♦
Food ♦♦♦♦
Service ♦♦♦♦♦
Value ♦♦♦♦

Contact Details

Old White Beare
Village St
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX3 8QG

Tel: 01274 676645