Strawberry Thief a big venue with small venue cosiness LINK FOOD & DRINK

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

With more than 400 covers inside and out, Arkell’s Strawberry Thief is one of the venerable Swindon brewery’s biggest venues. However, a carefullydesigned layout including shelves of old books and assorted vintage objects provides a far more intimate atmosphere than might be expected in such a huge structure.

My colleagues and I, meeting for lunch, found the mood relaxed and friendly, thanks in no small part to the attentive and friendly staff. Our lunch orders were taken efficiently and food and drink arrived promptly and without confusion.

My choice, a 6oz burger (£14.50), was served with 3Bs ketchup and crispy onions, lettuce, tomato and pickles. The meat was succulent and had a good, strong flavour rather than the bland something-and-nothing absence which mars many a pub lunch burger.

My colleagues were pleased with their choices, too.

Malthouse beer battered cod fillet (£17) came with crushed peas, Tartare Sauce, lemon and chips. The recipient, who was especially hungry, enjoyed the size of the portion, the ‘lovely’ batter and the flavoursome smashed peas.

Roasted chicken Caesar Salad (£12.50) with Romaine Lettuce, dry aged Parmesan, garlic croutes and smoked bacon was pronounced delicious.

Grilled watermelon, Feta and pickled beetroot salad (£10) was rated summery, tasty and with high-quality ingredients.

The colleague who opted for the blackened spiced courgette and broad bean tacos (£13) said he enjoyed the creativity of the dish but would personally have preferred the spices to be adjusted a little to provide more zing. The dish, he added, was crying out for some sourness.

Simon Armitage wrote ‘An Unexpected Gues’ for the Coronation. The concept is an ordinary person witnessing history:

She’s treated herself to new shoes, a window seat on the fast train, a hotel for a night.

She’s been to the capital twice before, once to see Tutankhamun when she was nine