The Bugle, The Square, Botley (From Daily Echo)

The Bugle, The Square, Botley

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SADLY many pubs are joining the credit crunch casualty list.

But The Bugle Inn in The Square at Botley has found the perfect recession busting recipe – plenty of good food and a musical menu catering for all tastes.

Landlord Paul Whitfield, aged 51, took over this charming village pub three-and-half-years ago.

And he says: “It is sad that so many pubs are closing. But you cannot sit back. If you are going to be successful you have got to keep coming up with new ideas.”

Paul says that having a good chef is a must ingredient for a successful pub.

A Lebanese set menu masterminded by chef Ali Al-Kadham has been introduced on Friday and Saturday nights. Giving the pub’s menu a unique flavour, it includes a bowl of traditional Lebanese roasted nuts and another favourite is Lebanese spiced beef sirloin skewer with braised whole onion, pitta bread and yoghurt dip.

The Bugle also has the typically British cuisine with lunches from midday to 2.30pm, evening meals from 6pm to 9.30pm and Sundays from midday to 4.30pm with the choice of three roast joints.

On Monday evenings Bugle customers can tuck into a pasta and a pint for £8.

While on Tuesdays senior citizens can enjoy two courses for £6.50 and on Wednesdays fish and chips are just £7.

Thursday quiz nights have been a massive hit. So much so that sometimes they have had to turn people away.

Paul, who before taking up a pub career was an engineer for more than 20 years, says they have a mature clientele and it is a local and passing trade.

A big music fan, Paul has revived Botley’s strong jazz tradition.

On Sunday there is live jazz in the bar opposite the dining area between 12.30pm and 3.30pm. They have visiting top musicians including a former member of the Chris Barber Band.

On Sunday evening a rock band take to the floor from 9pm.

And if you look closely at the paintings on the pub walls you can see there is a definite musical theme. One is a portrait of a saxophone player cleverly interwoven into the canvas.

And on the first Tuesday of every month there is an acoustic jamming session, starting at 7pm. It is free and anyone that plays an instrument is welcome to join in or just come along and watch.

With all that lovely grub and music The Bugle really is the place to eat and be merry.

The Bugle Inn, The Square, Botley. Telephone number: 01489 781509

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