There is nothing quite like a traditional pub. You know the sort. Usually found in soap opera countryside, they are known by a historic, always quirky name, containing old fashioned décor, plenty of seats and snug areas to relax. Though often know for village bust-ups and confrontations, they are ideally a bedrock of the community. Even I, an avowed teetotaller, cannot fail to recognise their merit over hundreds of years. Their sustainability as an entity is quite admirable.
At Christmas time, the need to visit such places only increases. Diets go out of the window, overindulgence is excusable. For the non-nightclub savvy, what better way to do this than visit a multitude of pubs over the yuletide season? It allows the opportunity meeting up with different people while, at the same time, enjoying a hearty (though not so healthy) meal. That is indeed what my family partook in today. We headed over to meet a friend in the ‘White Horse’, a pub owned by Greene King (whoever that happens to be) in Waterbeach, an obvious commuter village into my hometown of Cambridge. It had a pleasant exterior appeal, what appeared to be a fresh coat of paint covering its outside. Yet even if there wasn’t paint, it didn’t look run down or abandoned. Rather, the volume of cars parked within the vicinity suggested a clear popularity for lunchtime lunch. It was clear the pub catered for its customers. Heading inside, a sign on the door stated the toilets were only for customers, as the ‘were not a public restroom.’ The phrase was a tad Americanised, but I liked its unapologetic capitalist honesty, putting those who choose to purchase from it before anyone else. I would have committed the typical teenage act and taken a photo, amusing enough to make my Instagram, but such was a popularity that there was a queue of people behind me waiting to enter. The photo was not to be. Normally, if a place appears too quiet, that is a sign for disaster. It must be doomed to fail. On the contrary: in the ‘White Horse’, while there were fellow customers, its quiet mood allowed a sense of calm and relaxation, rather than the bellowing that evening sessions wherever you visit can entail. We were swiftly shown to our comfy, plush seats, before being given time to breath while exploring the menu. In terms of the layout, the menu was nothing fancy. It didn’t need to be. The ‘White Horse’ wasn’t claiming to be your Ritz or Michelin star location. It was made for the ordinary people of Waterbeach and beyond, so long as they weren’t a nuisance. Having not scanned the drinks menu, I requested, on the off chance it was available, Earl Grey tea. They responded in the affirmative, bringing said teabag with a pot of boiling water, jug of milk and complimentary ginger biscuits. Though the strength of the teabag had diminished by the final millilitres of water, it was a fine, ordinary Earl Grey. Just what I’d ordered. We began chatting and reminiscing with our family friend, the level of sound perfect for hearing. To allow a sense of atmosphere, Christmas music was present, but this didn’t detract from the natural hubbub of human noise, only making conversation easier to partake in. Regarding the mains, as we were digging straight in, my choice was slightly limited by my vegetarianism. That was no trouble, as a perfect pizza stood out to me. The only issue is I cannot for the life of me remember its name. I am certain it was something I couldn’t – and still cannot – pronounce, for I stated the need to improve my non-existent Italian abilities when ordering said pizza. Its name was not an issue, for it looked and tasted delicious. They’d been very generous in the sizing, far larger than your ordinary supermarket job, allowing long-term enjoyment. What particularly stood out was the goats cheese, embedded into the pizza, other vegetables also accompanying the delicacy. It was to the correct temperature, delivered in a reasonable time and will be remembered for its succulent taste. Not being a massive sugar fan, a rare characteristic among my age group I’m sure, I was initially put off the desserts. This wasn’t because of the lack of choice, but my own personal savoury preferences. However, the ‘White Horse’ were, cleverly, slightly ambiguous in their selections, stating a ‘cake of the day’, to the tune of £5. There was nothing to lose from asking what cake was available, until I discovered a sticky toffee pudding – with custard – was among one of the options on offer. There was no option but to order it. There was everything, quite literally, to gain. Arriving with freshly made custard, all the elements were there for a tasty luxurious treat. The textures were fine, flavours running throughout the dish, with a warm surgery taste right until the end. My fellow diners had, among other selections, a chocolate fudge cake and children’s chocolate brownie. A competition over the best option would stump even Mary Berry. ‘White Horse’ staff were immensely pleasant, achieving a fine balance between the extremes: a total lack of consideration or overly dominant paternalistic assistance. Occasionally, they checked in to ask how we were, but allowed us to get on with our meal. Eating in other pubs, it often felt like we, the customers, are a burden on the staff, despite customer service being the beacon of their role. Not here. They were polite, courteous, wishing us a very happy Christmas. We had a wonderful time with our friend, meeting up with more people a personal resolution for 2019. Ultimately, the ‘White Horse’ achieved that most important thing in business: ensuring their customers return again and again. The White Horse, 12 Green Side, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9HP Telephone: 01223 505053
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