Barlborough: Pub was the perfect venue for breakfast

And for me, one of the novelties that has emerged over the last 10 years or so it the concept of breakfast in the pub.

Time was, pubs were somewhere you went to in the evening for beer and crisps or nuts (if you like that sort of thing, which I don’t).

Then, pubs expanded and went from doing a bit of food, to a lot of food and several chains sprang up that were more food-orientated than simply beer and spirits.

Then, the Government said that pubs could open all day.

Whether this had anything to do with the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea when England played at 7am in the morning one day, I have no idea.

But the fact is, pubs are now somewhere you can go for lunch, dinner and now breakfast too.

Of course, eating some breakfast in a bar at a sometimes strangely early hour is nothing new to anyone who has ever had an early flight from the likes of Luton airport.

There, you can have a pint of whatever you fancy with your bacon and eggs if you want to (compulsory if you’re there to fly out on a stag weekend).

I’m not sure if the De Rodes Arms in Barlborough allows you to have pints of beer with your breakfast at 9am in the morning, which is when the pub opens each morning for breakfast.

I briefly thought about it but a slightly disapproving and dissuading look from a colleague knocked that idea on the head.

I chose the De Rodes Arms because I drive by it twice a day to and from my way to work and I always think it looks a pleasant place.

And it has a big banner outside it proudly proclaiming you can eat as much breakfast as you want for a mere £3.99.

Since the idea dropped into my head of doing a pub breakfast rather than a lunch or dinner, the De Rodes Arms was always in my mind and I’m delighted to say, the venue did not disappoint.

My idea went down well with my colleagues, three of whom decided they also liked the idea of starting the day with a hearty breakfast and came along with me to sample the fare.

We chose a table by the window to let in the pleasant morning sunshine, all the more welcome after the days of rain we have suffered of late.

Several diners were already in the spacious dining area and tucking into full plates of traditional English breakfast fare.

After paying your £3.99 at the bar, you are free to go and load up your plate with as much as you like.

Fried or scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon. hash browns, baked beans and tinned tomatoes were all on offer and all looked extremely appetising.

It has to be said that I am biased in favour of cooked breakfasts as I love them and they are a usual weekend treat in our house.

Drinks are extra, you pay for your tea, coffee or juice on top of your food, but toast is included in the £3.99 main meal deal.

And it is unlimited, but we only needed one playful, so fulfilling was the food.

Of course, not everyone’s breakfast cup of tea is the full English but don’t worry, the pub also offers vegetarian breakfasts, also for £3.99, porridge or cereals for £1.19 0r toast and jam for 99p.

After our meal, we all agreed breakfast at the De Rodes Arms was an excellent idea and the pub an excellent venue. We will do this again.

John Smith