Godots Bar and Grill in Kingsbury Street has had a thorough revamp and a change of emphasis to a more casual style of dining.
When owner Gary Powell became ill, the restaurant was put on the market. Once he had recovered, Gary and Lesley took it off the market again. But Gary has decided to retire and now his wife Lesley is taking Godots to a new level.
The lunch and evening menus will continue to feature steaks and fresh fish each day, but new items will include sharing boards, small plates and gourmet burgers. And there is still, of course, Godots’ wide range of wines.
Upstairs the three double en suite bedrooms have had a total makeover. They are very nearly ready – in fact they will have to be ready in short order as they are all booked for the four days of the Cheltenham Festival (March 15-18.)
Lesley will be providing bed-and-breakfasters with continental breakfast served in the rooms – at £85 a night.
Downstairs, the most noticeable change is the lighter table-tops. These were discovered to be maple wood stained to a rather gloomy dark brown. They have been professionally stripped and resurfaced to give a lighter and more natural look to the dining areas.
The central fireplace has been opened up and there is new furniture for the bar.
Gary and Lesley have been in catering for 35 years and ran The Wheatsheaf in Ogbourne St Andrew most successfully from 1997. They then sold it in 2004 and moved into Godots.
The Wheatsheaf became The Silks on the Downs. It is now owned by former Swindon Town goalkeeper Fraser Digby.
In the summer Godots has the great advantage of a secluded courtyard – and it is, of course, very close to the High Street.
Watch this space for an official re-opening later in the month – and a new website. In the meantime you can book a table on 01672 514776.