Reading Roars!

Following on from “speciality beers”, we don’t appear to have that many “speciality bars” in Reading (we have mostly yawn-inducing clone bars, as found in most UK cities).  One of the noble few is new Polish bar Gospoda (meaning “restaurant” in Polish) in the heart of Oxford Road’s Polish community.

Gospoda’s interior impressed me.  Its sweet, wooden decor felt rural and homely (a nod to traditional Poland).  Touches such as the immaculately-crafted “stars” at the bar added to the gentle mood.  Gospoda’s charm was attacked by the harsh commentary of Polish club football, shown on the screen, but as an enthusiastic follower of the beautiful game, that didn’t bother me. 

Lunch was a different issue.  Ordering a wooden platter of cold meat for sharing between two, I was expecting something better for £12.50 than the resulting cold streaks of greasy bacon, sliced sausage and a tomato for effect.  The failed chip & pin machine, requiring that I pay in cash only, got things off to a bad start, and service was slow (I saw just two other customers eating, so what was the issue?). 

Food aside, I’d be more than happy to go back (I’m keen on trying the Polish beer).  Gospoda is refreshingly different and a world away from the dive that previously existed in its place.