Review: Knowles Arms, Blackburn

3:09pm Monday 18th August 2008

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THE humble pub fulfils so many different roles these days it’s a wonder that many don’t suffer from an identity crisis.

Some are gastro-pubs where foodies flock and the drinker is not overly appreciated.

Others are traditional local ‘boozers’ where the best a hungry person gets is a packet of salt and vinegar crisps.

I’d say that pubs like the Knowles Arms falls somewhere in between.

Handily situated, the Knowles clearly enjoys a reputation as a good time pub — there are posters for quiz nights and other attractions and it’s clearly somewhere to stop off for a drink on the way home from work.

It’s a big pub too which works well at weekends and later on the in the evening but calling in as we did ‘early doors’ leads to a rather flat atmosphere.

Still the welcome was friendly and as well as a fairly standard pub food menu, blackboards offered a pie of the day, fish of the day and a curry of the day.

I went for the pie option — meat and potato on the day in question — and served with mash and veg (chips. jackets and even curly fries were available). The better half went for the prawn platter. With two drinks we spent just over £17.

The pie came in its own earthenware dish and was piping hot. There were some tender chunks of meat in a rich gravy although not much potato was in evidence, but it was hearty fare with a nice pastry crust. The veg were a little ‘al dente’ for me but the mash was smooth and creamy, so all told, it was perfectly OK.

The prawn platter was basically a giant prawn salad served with a bread roll and a dish of dressing.

Again it wasn’t exceptional but hit the spot nicely.

I get the feeling that food isn’t the top priority at the Knowles Arms, just one of the many things the pub offers and as such it does the job just fine.

Knowles Arms, Pleckgate Road, Blackburn The verdict

Nothing exceptional, just a pub that also serves decent food.