REVIEW: The Bull, Sonning

Having heard all over the news this week that George Clooney's local is, to him, the best pub in the world - AND it's just around the corner, who wouldn't want to see if he was right?

Now George, I'm doing this for your kids, for your future. It's ok that it's good, but is it good for littles too? Or is it more the kind of place you have just the most wonderful little free time at.

We booked lunch for midday. Little happily tucked into lunch we bought for him in his provided highchair, and we ordered simply sandwiches and salads.

We were seated next to a big reserved, but empty table, so we thought it wise to order before they arrived. Sadly, they had all pre-booked for what was a work lunch. We didn't know it was one of two large pre-booked tables.

It was a bit dark inside! Candlesticks and candles on the table and a few lamps on. It was a really sunny day today, so perhaps we missed a trick and should have sat outside. I can imagine that it would be really cosy to sit inside for an evening meal, whatever the weather.

Took about 40 minutes for our food to arrive, which for a little is time to wait. We've not waited that long for a weekday lunch with him ever, I don't think. He wasn't happy. By this point he had abandoned his high chair and was keen to wander. The waiter said it was a delay caused by the two bigger pre-booked tables.

The fate of food - the food came the minute I had started to wonder off to occupy little.

The food was really great, I had a lovely heritage tomato salad. You can order mains in a choice of sizes, and the small size was a nice little lunch. Of course little helped by putting away a few olives himself. I'm told the sandwiches were really good too by my accompanying parents. It's not a really cheap lunch, but you're not talking mega bucks either - I think about £8/9 for a yummy stuffed sandwich.

We were a bit sad there were no chips. Waitress said everyone asks for them and they should do them. Do chips. It's a good idea. A "side of fries" so she put it.

Parking was tough, we luckily got a space in the car park but I think we were the last lucky ones to get one. I think you'd have to park wherever possible on roads and paths on a busy Saturday night.

We left about 1ish, and the place was absolutely full, garden was pretty much full of people. So it is popular. Booking is sensible to avoid dissapointment.

So, in summary, food was just lovely and I can see how many things there are to love about it. But with my mummy goggles on - I'm not sure it's a great place for littles. I'm certainly not sure I'll take him back.

HOWEVER - The next opportunity we have for little to be minded and we get an amazing and gloriously rare night out - I'd really love to go back and see it minus mummy goggles. I'd love to go for an evening as a grown up couple having a nice evening out because I really think the atmosphere, food and friendly staff could make for a really great occasion. All those elements were really good.

I look forward to posting a review in the near future about our experience of a rare night out without little!

As ever I'll forward my post to The Bull. Thank you for a lovely lunch, it was delicious. Fingers crossed for a babysitter soon!