Eat My Words: We review Bentley’s Bar and Grill in Spalding

Heading to Bentley’s was something of a trip into the great unknown.

I’d wandered past those solid brick walls countless times but, before the Saturday lunchtime in question, I’d never had a peek inside.

I had absolutely zero idea what to expect, not an inkling what was being cooked up in this Spalding bar and grill.

So to say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement.

Through that door it’s right for the bar area and left for the restaurant - a good-looking, modern, atractive, clean and well-lit dining area with an open kitchen where we could watch our food being prepared.

Pop songs by the likes of Madonna and Prince played softly in the background as my lad and I were shown to a comfy booth, surrounded by diners of all ages.

Two elderly ladies were treating their grandsons, two generations of one family doted on an energetic toddler and a family of four followed us in.

Like entering Bentley’s, eating with a six-year-old is also a great venture into the unknown.

So, despite some of his regular favourites such as fish fingers, sausage and chips and chicken goujons appearing on the value-for-money kids’ menu, Connor decided he just fancied a sandwich this day.

“What sandwiches do you have?” I asked the affable waitress, who reeled off a variety of kids’ favourites.

“Cucumber,” Connor replied.

Well, if they were good enough for Queen Victoria’s Guests at her Golden Jubilee then I suppose they’re good enough for my boy in Bentley’s.

Personally, I was feeling a little more peckish and opted for another traditional favourite, the fish and chips.

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The sarnie - a good choice, it turns out, as it came with crisps, cucumber sticks and strawberries - was wolfed down.

While impressed with the place at first glance, my initial feelings weren’t as strong towards the fish and chips as the portion looked a little small.

But, to my delight, it tasted good and filled me right up.

I’ve often paid more than double the tenner this cost me for grub that left me wanting much more, so no complaints here.

As we were finishing our food a familiar song began to play… NWA’s ode to ‘da police’, parental advisory lyrics et al.

I was clearly the only person in the place to notice as the staff casually went about their business and, more importantly, the kids around me were all far more engrossed in their tablets and phones than Eazy-E’s scruples.

Now, I’m not going to kick up a stink here. As a parent who has answered the door or their phone as a Spotify playlist ends and kicks into random mode, I’m all too aware of the trappings of this non-watershed internet age and the kind of words that can accidentally get chucked into a child’s ear.

It happens and - as I was the only one to pick up what Los Angeles’ finest planned to do to a teenager with a little bit of gold and a pager - there was absolutely no harm done.

An interesting and humerous end to an interesting and enjoyable lunch.

Out of five:

Food: We both enjoyed our meals which were great value for money. ***

Drink: A Coke and a Fruit Shoot - this was lunch time. ***

Decor: The place looked great, very clean and well lit, modern and comfy. ****

Staff: Our waitress was very welcoming and polite from the off. ****

Price: We paid £15.45 in total, superb value. ****

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