Review

'Inside the Blue Ball hangs a list of the names of all its previous landlords, going back to 1767. It's a most appropriate display, because the tiny, unfussy pub is still strongly connected to its history and community. This is a true 'village pub', right down to the pile of newspapers and the pinboard full of local parish announcements. Visitors are likely to find it full of dedicated local patrons who greet one another as they come in the door and get involved in long conversations with each other and landlords John Roos and

This is a true 'village pub', right down to the pile of newspapers and the pinboard full of local parish announcements.

Karolin Rejniak.

This is in part due the the philosophy here. The Blue Ball concentrates on being a pub, not a restaurant, and pints of IPA Flowers or Abbot Ale are always pulled with care and skill. Lunch offerings are limited to simple bar food, though any place that could offer us one roll filled with corned beef and another with goat cheese, roasted peppers, and fresh basil (£1 each) gets points for variety and creativity. These are the work of Karolin, who no longer offers a defined menu. Besides a traditional Sunday lunch, she prepares fabulous 'dinner parties' to order. Diners order orders at least half a day ahead of time, telling her only how many people, the number courses and any particular likes and dislikes. After that, the meal is a surprise -- all for a reasonable £7 for a two-course meal and £15 for a 3-course feast including olives and nibbles.

This unusual approach to dining aside, The Blue Ball is a pleasure whether you prefer chatting with the locals, sitting and reflecting by the bay window or the log fire or listening to the live music (usually jazz or blues duos) played once a week. The word 'authentic' is too easily tossed around, but there's little question that, in The Blue Ball, you can discover an authentic drinking pub.