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What is a gastropub?

8K views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  bughut 
#1 ·
Is it just a bar that serves good food?
 
#3 ·
If it has anything to do with molecular gastronomy, it's only incidental. A "gastro pub" is a "pub" which promotes itself as a good restaurant in addition to being a pub. It's a matter of emphasis. Many pubs have food -- most often of the general type called "pub grub." Usually a "gastro pub" has higher goals, or at least higher pretensions. Not always though.

By the way, a "pub" isn't necessarily the same thing as a "bar," although there's a lot of overlap. A pub usually has a public room, a lounge and (often) a restaurant. Although, sometimes the functions of any two, or all three are combined. Since we're using the English language, and talking about traditions in constant flux we're going to run into a lot ambiguity. Neither the ideas nor the words are very precise.

If it helps, a gastro-pub has more in common with the restaurant and bar of an inn, than with a simple bar -- even one which serves food.

BDL
 
#5 ·
It is simply a proper pub, usually located in a nice area of a town or quite often out in the country that serve good ale with locally sourced food. The food is presented well but is not fussy and is good value for the quality of produce.

Some gastro pubs are turning more into restaurants now though which I don't agreed with. The whole point of being a gastro pub is that the heart of it is actually a pub.
 
#10 ·
Gastro pubs are getting a bad rep generally, As so many are simply trying too hard to be "posh" without the back-up of the good, locally sourced ingredients, cooked simply but well.
 
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