The Roman Baths, Parliament Street
Having realised that my student loan had finally made its fated way into my account, I decided to indulge in some retail therapy before the hardships of student poverty had tightened their evil clutches around my fragile bank balance. After a hard day of window shopping and carrying heavy, bulky bags containing the impulse buy of a “buzz lightyear” helmet from the Disney store, it was high time for lunch.
We scanned the horizon. As chance would have it, there was a vaguely inviting old pub, which declared that it “serves food”. As we neared, we became curiously aware of a disturbing presence that only National Trust locations and tacky tourist traps can excrete. The main tourist attraction of the Roman Baths pub, is that, surprise surprise, it was built on the location of some old Roman Baths. However, when my friends and I tried to explore this historic claim, we were sorely disappointed to find out that the door displaying the sign “historic baths, this way” was firmly locked. I began to suspect that it led to a broom cupboard.
Historic disappointment aside, once we actually ordered drinks and food the ambiance of the pub was quite pleasant. Almost an old-man-pub, the Roman Baths looks like a misled owner had tried to spice up its clientele with a halfhearted attempt at refurbishment. Despite this, the food was beyond reproach. The steak and kidney pie was indeed as claimed, “home made” with the type of old-English style suet pastry that you just can’t buy these days, and has to be made from the ancient secret recipes of old ladies who consume tea and scones like students ingest pints and kebabs. It was offered with a wide selection of fresh vegetables, which are useful for the average student who just doesn’t have time to steam carrots and roast potatoes. The baked potatoes offered come in large portions and in general you do get your money’s worth. A word of warning though – not be fooled into getting a starter or side dish, since you will simply not finish it, unless you really haven’t had your Shreddies that morning.
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