Such a shame the Rivington Brewery pop up bar in the vaults does not open Monday to Wednesday; the four Cask options in the main bar is an eclectic collection and are retailing amazingly at less than £4 a pint with 10% CAMRA discount.
The food, service and atmosphere all good. The only slight downside was a delay in serving coffee which was luke warm. I raised this when paying the bill which resulted in an apology and an adjustment to the bill. All told a very enjoyable evening and a thoroughly recommendable venue
Lovely building on every single floor and room, the decor is honestly something to admire just like the staff and food.
Although it can be quite busy and sometimes booked out the staff do their best to keep ontop of everything, any mistakes are rectified as soon as possible and if you order a lot of dishes it's a constant flux of food being brought to your table, each dish is well made and full of varied flavours.
Honestly it's a great spot to dine and enjoy company with a partner or friends, good drinks are also available with quite a nice variety, though not many ciders there is a lot of cocktails and other drinks to enjoy.
I'd definitely return.
Beautiful, historic setting for a beautiful meal.
Highly recommend the hanger steak starter. I had the hake main and it was gorgeous.
The gentleman serving us was the perfect waiter, attentive yet demure.
The guy behind the bar was exceptional. Really attentive and happy to discuss the beers for sale. I can’t think of a better place for an afternoon beer or two. Thanks for having us. 8/9/2023
![5]( "Recensione")
(Rating as a restaurant)
Having the opportunity for a couple of hours in Preston this Friday evening, we were looking for a restaurant serving vegetarian and vegan food. Google maps suggested Plau. Being described as a Gin & Beer House, we may well have skipped past the listing, but I happened to have come across the name the other day while looking at the website of Fieldwork, who seem to have done the branding and design for this establishment - and had seen photos of interesting-looking food.
Externally, the venue really doesn't look at all food related but there are several storeys for dining and it's quite spacious.
We were walk-ins at 6.30pm on a Friday. Luckily we were accommodated but I would probably recommend booking ahead.
It's not a cheap establishment: drinks prices are relatively high for the area (paying, perhaps, for the aforementioned branding and design). Clientele were varied, but certainly the hipster type was strongly represented; I didn't feel I had quite the right type of beard.
The decor is smart, dark wood, dark grey, muted gin-palace.
BUT...the FOOD!
The menu (apparently a new menu) contained not too many dishes, mains priced around £15 to £25, small (starter) dishes I think £7 to £9. (The precise menu isn't online yet, so I can't verify prices and dishes.) We chose one small dish and two mains.
Quite a wait for food - not a bad sign. Service was attentive and friendly. Quality was top notch - probably the best food we have had in Preston.
The starter - okra cooked with peanut and served with some beautiful mango chutney and garlic - was absolutely heavenly but we definitely should have gone for a starter each. Small does mean small.
Our mains were two more vegan dishes.
The first (koftas containing quinoa and sweet potato, served on a bed of salad containing mango, pomegranate, leaves and a light horseradish dressing) - savoury but light, satisfying.
The second salt baked beetroot served on pearl barley with parsnip mash and a light slightly smokey chilli sauce - amazing: earthy but with a tang, not too salty, maybe a hint of vinegar and cinnamon were evident.
Presentation good.
We didn't have time for desserts this time but will leave a new review after the next visit.
A lot quieter than it used to be but the beer menu is excellent and it's a very comfortable place for a drink.
Sunday roast was superb. Seasoning of the beef and the roasties were exceptional. Beer selection didn't seem great, but the rosé wine was one of the best we've had. Definitely sit up on the roof
Plau is a lovely brunch place to go to. It has a nice rustic but cosy atmosphere and the staff are lovely. The food is delicious and the setting and presentation is very well done and do a high standard. The price reflects the service and experience so I would say the price is about right for the food. I recommend this place for a nice brunch with friends.
My favourite bar in Preston! Fantastic building with a great ambience day and night.
Had an amazing cocktail brunch! Staff attentive.Highly recommended!
This bar is my favourite in Preston, it's such an amazing building with interesting history. The beer choice is great with plenty of choice on the pumps. I haven't tried the food here but that does look amazing. I'll be returning.
Stunning building. Friendly staff and good selection of drinks. No wait time either even though they were busy.
One of the best eateries in Preston..Food is always 10/10
Didn't have food but lovely bar and quirky in the vaults, drinks were great
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