WHEN the powers-that-be at the Worcester News told me I could pick any pub in the city for my first undercover review, I was spoilt for choice.

With so many superb watering holes in Worcester, I had a job in deciding which one to visit first, so I thought I’d opt for a pub I’d heard praised but never had the chance to sample myself – The Kings Head in Sidbury.

One of the oldest pubs in Worcester, The Kings Head is known for a wide selection of beers, ales and ciders but also as a ‘foodie’ venue. And there was an impressively extensive menu – so, like trying to pick where to go, once again I was spoilt for choice when I arrived.

There was a lively Friday night atmosphere with the pub packed with customers, and as I stood at the busy bar I was impressed by the range of different drinks to choose from – around seven lagers, numerous different ales and spirits and also cocktail menu.

Food is ordered at the bar at the Kings Head so, after choosing a Birra Moretti to drink, I studied the menu and, after much deliberation, opted for fish and chips – after all, you can always tell how good a pub’s food is by the quality of the fish and chips, in my humble opinion.

I presumed that service might be rather slow as I had picked such a busy time to visit the pub but, to my delight, this proved not to be the case at all as my food arrived just 15 minutes after placing my order.

Now, I don’t know about you, but if the food comes too quick at a pub or restaurant, alarm bells start ringing that the dish might just be a ‘microwave special’ – a meal made earlier or bought from a supermarket and reheated.

Fortunately, this was not the case at all at the Kings Head – the fish and chips was a quality affair.

The chips – always the make or break of a pub dish for me – were particularly good: light and crispy, just the way I like them.

Call me a pedant, but I did have one minor complaint: when I asked for ketchup, I was only presented with a small amount in a dish rather than a bottle. Now, I know this is standard practice for most pubs and restaurants, but it is always something which irritates me – I want to choose how much ketchup I have, not the waiter.

Anyway, rant over.

After paying £12.50 for the meal and £4.50 for the drink, which I consider a little steep for pub food, I was expecting a top quality meal and I was not disappointed, so I quickly forgot my ketchup crisis.

Indeed, I’d go so far as to say that, in my experience, The Kings Head is right up there with the best in Worcester for pub food.

I was also struck by the smart decor of the pub, especially the photographs on the walls of scenic city views. Despite being one of the oldest pubs in Worcester, The Kings Head has a modern look, which is no surprise after three big refurbishments in the last 10 years.

The outside area is popular in the summer due to the pleasant beer garden overlooking the canal, but on this chilly autumnal night there were just a few hardy smokers out there.

Overall I was impressed with The Kings Head and would recommend dining and drinking there.

Scores
Atmosphere: 7/10

Decor: 7/10

Staff: 8/10

Drink: 8/10

Food: 9/10

Prices: 6/10

Overall: 8/10