Pub Review - King William, London Road, Bath

First-time publicans Amanda and Charlie Digney have transformed the King William from a dingy, sticky-carpeted boozer into Bath's most talked about new gastro pub.

The couple opened the tiny, honey-coloured corner pub in October 2004, and there has barely been an empty table since. With its garnet-coloured paintwork, stripped floors, burgundy and gold brocade curtains,gold chandelier and fresh flowers, the King William has a Bohemian air to it.

Charlie Digney used to run pubs in London, and spent a brief spell working in the kitchens of the Anchor and Hope in Waterloo, and it comes as no surprise to learn that his favourite restaurant is St John.

Digney's food is bold, unpretentious and British, with an emphasis on good ingredients - local, free-range, organic where possible - and his menu is packed with dishes that will appeal to fans of Fergus Henderson: salad of smoked eel and bacon (£7), braised mutton, beans and bacon (£12), poached salt beef, potatoes, beetroot and horseradish cream, salsa verde, poaching juices (£10), lamb and prune stew, mash and spinach (£8.50) and even that old English pub classic the salt beef sandwich with English mustard (£4.50).

My starter of crab on toast (£6.50) was simplicity itself - thick slices of hot, buttered toast topped with the freshest picked crab - one piece with white meat, the other with the darker, richer meat.

A main course of cassoulet (£10) consisted of a deep white bowl containing a rich and substantial stew of free-range pork, confit duck, sausage and beans beneath a crispy breadcrumb lid.

Desserts are limited to two choices, but the hot chocolate pot (£4) was rich, decadent and enhanced further with cream poured from a separate white jug.

With cooking this good, the King William is already living up to its reputation as the hottest new dining experience in Bath.

PubChef Rating (out of 10)

Ambiance 8, Value for money 9,

Flavour factor 9, Overall Impression 9

BEERS: Box Steam Brewery Tunnel Vision, Wickwar BOB, Moles Mole Catcher, Butcombe Gold

MAIN COURSES: From £8.50 to £11

WINES ON LIST: Seven reds, six whites, one rosé and two sparkling wines.

ANOTHER THING: The King William is only open for food at lunchtimes, but due to its huge success, the owners are opening a small dining room upstairs for evening use.