Amington, Amington

 

Affectionately known by locals as the Ammi Inn this pub has gone through more image changes than one of the Kardashians in recent years. My better half tells me that this was a really good pub to watch football tournaments, when it was known as The Amington Inn,  a few years back. Yes I know it always ended in disappointment with us (Eng-er-land that is) losing on penalties invariably to someone we have had a war with. However those were innocent days, beer didn’t get thrown in the air, selfies weren’t taken of people (sorry girls but it’s quite often you) in the latest replica shirt with the obligatory St George’s flag painted on their cheeks and when the only thing ‘coming home’ were our boys after glorious failure. 

Various incidents of anti social behaviour resulted in the pub being converted to an Asian restaurant called Joba’s Inn which was my first introduction to the place and myself and my significant other were regular patrons. Unfortunately the place was once again closed down due to unruly behaviour this time in the small adjoining bar. From memory the magistrate (when revoking the licence) described it as being akin to a Wild West saloon !! 

I’m not sure if this is the right platform but it’s confession time. When I was a regular at Joba’s Inn I used to steal the After Eight style chocolates (which were inexplicably kept in a large bowl on the bar) for the journey home when the waiters backs were turned. I’m sorry Mr Joba !! 

The pub remained closed for some time and rumours were that it was going to be used for housing however like a phoenix from the flames the pub was reincarnated as Amington, a Flaming Grill pub with the focus being on families presumably in a bid to keep Wild Bill Hickok and his chums away. 

The pub has a large central island bar and whilst there are generally a couple of cask options (Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale being regulars) if I was to use former Birmingham City strikers to rate the quality of the beer I’d say it’s more Trevor Aylott than Trevor Francis !! 

Whilst family dining is definitely the main focus it is still a pub that you could use just to drink, there are regular quiz nights, live music and various fund raising events. I did notice that there’s soon to be a seniors turkey and tinsel bingo night where on completing their card participants don’t say house but instead shout warden controlled bungalow!! 

The food is fairly standard but very popular, I won’t lie we have been known to participate in Wings Wednesday when 16 finger licking chicken wings can be bought for the bargain price of a fiver. They are served in a tin container (similar to that used by Z list celebrities for the rice and beans in I’m a Celebrity) with no plates. I can almost hear the staff tutting and rolling their eyes as I make my mandatory request for a couple of plates !!

The pub has photographs on the wall of customers who have completed various eating challenges, the sort of thing you see an insufferable American tv presenter tackle on Man v Food. One popular challenge is the Steak Fondue Challenge where hungry customers have to devour a 32 oz rump steak (isn’t that the part of the cow that Trevor Aylott couldn’t hit with a banjo?!!) a whole melted Camembert cheese, chips, ciabatta bread, potato skins etc etc. I suggest that willing participants brave enough to take this on wear trousers with an elasticated waist band !! 

The beer garden is vast with plenty of tables so there is an area large enough for young Eero and Aurora to run round and annoy the other grown ups…

In short this is a decent place,  all that’s lacking is a bowl of complimentary After Eight style chocolates!!