Tried the millionaire’s pub near birmingham airport and it was a classy cliché

Halfway between Solihull’s millionaire’s rows, The Boat has the sheen of an upscale pub in the pretty semi-rural district of Catherine-de-Barnes. If I suspected it might be posh before arriving, I was left in no doubt as I pulled into the large parking lot.

As if fulfilling a tick box of elegant clichés, in front of me was a silver Veranda, in prime position. I felt quite privileged too, as the driver had ignored dozens of car parks to pull up right next door to the pub.

My usual engine started to feel a little out of place among the top designer Range Rovers, the kind you see Victoria and David Beckham driving around the Cotswolds. Posh tick number two.

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Located in Hampton Lane, The Boat is close to some of the most stylish streets in the West Midlands. Townhouses in Alderbrook Road in Solihull have an average price of £1.17 million, while in Dorridge houses in Bushwood Drive fetch a cool £1.06 million. Instead, you could opt for a slum in Copper Beech Close, where prices drop below a mill at £917,000.

Even if you don’t live that way, it’s worth a trip, especially on a sunny day, as the pub is set up in a big way for drinking beer in the garden. It is also just 15 minutes’ drive from Birmingham Airport and the NEC, off junction 6 of the M42.

There are at least a dozen shaded tables out front, while in the back, there’s a charming second large beer garden with a cozy circular tent that has fire pits and lots of other tables. It had a six-figure renovation three years ago and everything still looks brand new.

We went mid-week, when it was already a relaxed atmosphere outside, with chatter in the sun, among some delicious mummies and people in love in designer shades. I make another mental tick in my mind.

Outside, the front looks like a plush country house, with chimneys and small red brick tiles. Inside it’s a more modern and rather glamorous affair, with lots of tables in discreet alcoves. The large circular bar was very well stocked.

In the corner, the glimmer of a separate champagne area catches my eye with prestigious bottles nestled tantalizingly. I have a feeling Champers is a regular order here. Tick, tick, tick.

There are stools at the bar where a few locals and workers on break sit. It reminds me courtesy of the TV show Luck but in a much more sumptuous setting.

The bar staff are very friendly and go out of their way to get you anything you need. Really keen to run downstairs to check there’s one last packet of Tyrrell’s Mature Cheddar and Chive chips for you – now that’s what I call service. There are other flavors of fancy chips here, plus sophisticated servings of mixed nuts flavored with harissa or rosemary spices.

My subconscious bias aside, I realize that despite the luxurious decor and rich list location, this is a welcoming pub for everyone, including families with children. It has the stylish surroundings that make it feel like a special pub trip, even if you’re having a Coke and a packet of crisps like me.

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Food at The Boat in Catherine-De-Barnes

The restaurant is where The Boat made a bit of a name for itself, and a daily specials board highlights today’s mains. Although I’m only here for a drink, to give you a flavor of what’s on offer, there’s roast chicken and chorizo ​​with new potatoes, spinach and saffron aoili for £18.

There’s also slow-cooked ox cheek with garlic puree, red cabbage, crispy shallots and red wine jus for £25. While the special dessert is the peanut butter parfait with caramelised bananas, candied pistachio and chocolate sea salt ice cream for £8.

Diners rave about the food online, and five-star Google reviews say the fish pie is a must. Pizza and cocktails are also popular. Chris Harris recommended it saying: “Beautiful surroundings and the meals were excellent. We were disappointed that there was no Cabernet Sauvignon on the wine list, but our other choice was perfect.”

Prices at The Boat pub

Prices are generally a bit on the higher end, but there are plenty of options, and some of the mainstays are more mid-range. Cheese plates, pizza, burgers and steaks are all on the menu, along with Stix snacks.

There are small dishes ranging from £7.50 to £10 and sharing dishes like a brie costs £16. Pizzas cost between £13.50 and £16.50, a cheeseburger with fries is £16 and a pea and bean risotto with salted lemon, mint and watercress pesto is £15.

Steaks cost £29 for a sirloin to £38 for a 16oz dry aged T-bone. All are served with chips, roast beef tomato, portobello mushroom and herb breadcrumbs, a beer battered pickled onion ring and a choice of pepper and cognac sauce, chimichurri or lemon butter and roasted garlic.

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Cocktails cost between £9.50 and £10 and no surprise there is a long list of ‘Fizz’ which includes a bottle of Bolly. Bollinger Special Cuvée is £100, but that’s a fraction of the bottle price of Dom Pérignon Vintage at £300.

There is a long wine list starting at £7 for a small glass. Beers are priced from £5.50 for a Guinness and £5.75 for Estrella Damm or £6.25 for a Peroni Nastro Azzurro.

Overall

There is no doubt about the high quality of The Boat pub. The service is excellent and there are luxurious surroundings, from restrooms with vases of fresh flowers to huge beer gardens filled with state-of-the-art garden furniture.

Drink and food prices in general are slightly higher than average. That said, it feels like a special trip out of town to a well-maintained establishment that caters to the rich and famous.

There’s a touch of class in everything, but The Boat’s real draw is its bountiful beer gardens once the sun comes out.

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Where is The Boat pub in Solihull near Birmingham Airport?

The boat can be found as 222 Hampton Lane, Catherine-de-Barnes in Solihull. Use the postcode B91 2TJ to find it.

Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.