Visited 1st August 2009
I never went to uni in the UK, but occasionally it feels like it did. I had an extensive stint living in the Glasgow Uni Halls of Residence in 2001 and for a lot of 2003 - while teaching in a miserable South Shields school - I took great joy flatting with a group of Newcastle uni students. I was in Shrewsbury for the weekend for a reunion with the girls who I shared with while I 'attended' Newcastle Uni; the first time we'd all been together for six years. It was going to be a big weekend, but things started off rather civilised with lunch at The Armoury; a stylish pub on the banks of River Severn. Located in an 18th Century former armoury building (yep you guessed it) the pub has been well renovated and offers a comfortable light, airy setting. When I visited the pub had attracted a bit of hype as Prince William had been sighted having the odd pint on break from his posting at a nearby military base.The menu at The Armoury is packed with traditional pub fare, though I'll admit it's very well done pub fare. My friends ordered fish n chips, sardines on toast and welsh rarebit all of which looked delicious, while I eventually decided upon pan-fried salmon atop pea and mussel risotto. The fish was beautifully cooked with a crisp outer and moist centre; while fresh herbs gave the tasty risotto a lovely summer feel. To drink (at this early, early stage of things) it was all about pots of bitter and I enjoyed a couple of local ales that included the very tasty Shropshire Lad.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to The Armoury. Sure special friends made a difference, but excellent food, a lovely riverside setting and great service all contributed to a very memorable lunch. If for some reason you're happen to find yourself in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England head down to the river for a feed at The Armoury; it's well worth it, even if you don't happen to see a Prince.Visit restaurant website.
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1 comment:
You taught in South Shields?
It is rather a rough area, but has a very nice Market Square, surrounded by a score, or so, of pubs (some serving a decent pint, but none with even halfway decent food).
Mind you North Shields is (was?) even rougher.
By the way, people from South Shields are somewhat distinct from the rest of Tyneside; while the latter populace can probably be quite satisfactorily (albeit rather generally) termed "Geordies", the more specific nickname for someone from South Shields is "Sand Dancer".
But perhaps you already knew that?
John D
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