There’s something all too familiar about The Prince Bonaparte – it has really thumbed through the pages of ‘Gastropub Decor 101’ and selected something from every page. Still, that aside, it’s actually a decent venue.

The Venue
Prince Bonaparte couldn’t be more gastropub if it tried. The open kitchen, designated dining area with slightly nicer wooden tables and chairs, the neutral colourscheme with funky floral wallpaper to ‘liven it up a bit’, the chandelier, the open kitchen, the blackboards, the high ceilings… Yup, this is as clichéd as they come. Thank God then for the pub area, which goes for genuine charm with exposed brick walls that counteract all the ‘glam’ and red granny lamps, which cast a cosy glow over the heavy wooden bar and the worn-in seating. Much better.

The Atmosphere
Despite the try-hard nature of the decor, the atmosphere at The Prince Bonaparte is actually very pleasant and they have struck the balance just right. If you’re just popping in for a pint then you won’t be overlooked in favour of hoity toity diners (sorry guys!) as the areas are so distinct. Instead, from the restaurant to the bar, the staff are well-versed in the different etiquette styles that this place requires – cheerful banter in the pub, respectful friendliness in the dining room. Spot on.

The Food
The menu at The Prince Bonaparte is typically priced for a gastropub of its type, with starters coming in at £5.50-£8 and mains £11.50-£18.50 depending on what you order. And the quality? Actually, it’s very good.

Particularly nice is the pork belly (£14), which has a wonderfully crisp layer of fat and soft, sweet meat beneath that can only be a result of slow-roasting. It comes with a generous helping of unusual, tangy pesto mashed potato and a not-sickly cider veloute that really complements the pork. Alternatively, the fish and chips (£13) is far from dull with a wonderfully meaty piece of fresh haddock covered in a crisp, perfectly seasoned batter and accompanied by big fat chips and, what appears to be, a homemade tartar sauce, which shows their care and attention to detail with the food. Standard pub grub this is not.

The Drink
But what of the drink? That is, after all, the main purpose of a pub. Luckily, they haven’t shied away from their drinkers. As well as offering an above-average wine list with an excellent selection of old and new world bottles, including a better-than-average choice by the glass, they have also paid attention to beer drinkers with a strong selection of lagers on draught as well as a couple of real ales, which rotate regularly.

The Last Word
The Prince Bonaparte may be a little cliched when it comes to its aesthetic, but it does deliver a good night out – whether you’re eating or drinking.

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