IT'S rare to get the best of both worlds under the same roof but that is exactly what the aim is at this pub near Worcester which proves that variety really is the spice of life.
The Red Lion at Holt Heath, near Worcester is pub, sports bar and Indian restaurant after being transformed as part of a labour of love by a father and son team.
This will put to bed arguments about whether to go to the pub or get a curry as this pub, brought back to life after being closed for years, allows you to do both.
Here, you can have your cake and eat it - or, in this case enjoy your pint of real ale and poppadoms.
No longer empty, the pub on the A443 Witley Road has now become a hub of village life and a popular destination for people from further afield because of its sit-in restaurant and takeaway.
Since it opened on April 18, the pub has gone from strength to strength but it is perhaps for its food that it has earned its impressive reputation so far.
It has favourable Tripadvisor reviews with a 4.5 rating after 23 reviews. Of course, they have also done their own promotion with their Facebook page, 'Red Lion at Holt Heath', already gaining a large following.
Certainly, the reviews impressed one family - Tracy Hayward booked a table for 14 to celebrate her mum's 78th birthday after reading some of the reviews.
The pub and restaurant has the advantage of being close to Worcester and Ombersley but also easily accessible from Kidderminster, Stourport, Droitwich and Great Witley.
There must be precious few places in Worcestershire selling quality real ales from Wye Valley Brewery, including HPA and Butty Bach, and also quality Indian food.
The menu includes a variety of veg starters including poppadoms, onion bhajis, samosas, paneer tikka and veg mains such as Daal Makhani, Bombay Aloo, Chana Masala, Bhindi Dopiaza.
Other, non-veg mains include chicken Tikka masala, butter chicken, chicken madras, chicken jalfrezi, chicken korma, chicken saag, lamb rogan josh, lamb korma, king prawn karahi and whole quail curry.
Food is served from around 3pm to 9pm (last orders) on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
On weekdays, food is served between 5pm and 9pm (last orders). Two chefs work at the restaurant - a 'celebrity chef' from India and a Tandoori chef who worked in restaurants in Birmingham city centre.
Other advantages to the pub are an extensive beer garden with pods and a marquee so people can enjoy the fresh air even if the weather proves inclement.
The pub, which had been closed for over three years, is now under the management of father-and-son team, Jaswender Singh, 65, and Sat Chahal, 40 after they transformed it inside and out with help from villagers and tradesmen.
Jas said: "The food has become so popular. It's gone crazy. We're getting good feedback and the Tripadvisor reviews are absolutely brilliant.
"We have got people driving down here from Ludlow because they have heard how good the food is."
A ticket-only Indian food festival is due to take place in the pub's large beer garden on October 13 between noon and 4pm with a chance to sample all the latest culinary sensations, including innovative street food recipes.
Already, they are building a full calendar of events including a poker night every Tuesday from 7pm (entry fee £5) but there have been 60s, 70s and 80s nights and live jazz and swing bands performing.
There are not just real ales but an impressive range of other drinks including lagers, ciders, stout, wines and spirits. On tap are Madri, Stowford Press, Thatcher's Haze, Carling, Level Head (Greene King) session IPA, Peroni and Cobra.
A sports bar shows a variety of sports from Sky Sports and TNT Sports on three 75 inch screens.
Many residents recalled with fondness what they said was the heyday of the once 'thriving' pub under former landlord, Derek Hine.
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The pub closed in November 2020. Planners at Malvern Hills District Council rejected the demolition plan saying the pub was an important community asset that needed protecting but did approve a separate plan that would see the pub renovated alongside new en-suite bedrooms.
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