Exeter Hotel

For ages I have been meaning to visit this pub simply because the Exeter in the city has been a long time favourite of mine. Unfortunately there is no comparison between two pubs (except for the name). Okay, this pub is still pretty cool, but it is basically a suburban pub that slowly transforming into a bit more of a trendy place to have a beer. I did like the front bar (otherwise known as the Keg Bar) where they have the bar in the middle of the room, and there was also a pretty nice beer garden, with a part of it even non-smoking for those who want to eat outside without having to put up with cigarette smoke. The food is is quite inexpensive, as are the drinks, but since it is a part of the ALH chain I have come to expect that of them. What was funny though was that one of the tables in the beer garden used to be a door, which certainly added to the character of the place.

We walked in and were immediately given pencils, a sharpener (thinking ahead) and colouring in sheets for the kids. The kids meal came out ahead of the adult meals (again, great thinking) and was a generous serve that included a drink, the meal, a frisbee and icecream. There is also a play area. Kids taken care of the rest of us could enjoy ourselves. The seafood platter was excellent with plenty of variety (and not all crumbed!). The salt and pepper squid was tender and tasty. the steak had good taste and the accompanying sauce was delicious however, i ordered it medium rare and it came out verging on well done which was disappointing. If you have kids down Semaphore way - this is a good spot for you

food was cheap and large serving, very loud due to reno,s but they served us even when the kitchen had just shut, and was the only decent place in semophore to eat as the other pubs were not serving and the cafes food along the street was a lil boring