Bar Soba

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £7.95 (set lunch)
   £14 (evening meal)
• House wine: £11.00 per bottle

• Hitlisted
• High point: A more laid-back vibe than most city centre pubs
• Low point: So well hidden, it's easy to forget it's there
• Food served: Mon-Sun noon-10pm
• Bar open: Mon-Sat 10am-midnight; Sun noon-midnight
• Private dining: 52 (downst
• Open since: 2001
• Also offers: Wheelchair access, Take away

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

Bar Soba pulls off the feat of being a stylish city centre bar with the warmth and easy-going attitude of a local. The downstairs restaurant operates during the busier nights of the week and food is served upstairs in the bar at other times. Although the restaurant offers plusher, more intimate surroundings, the comfy seating and spacious layout of the bar mean it manages to accommodate diners and drinkers with ease. The food is 'Asian fusion', a frequently changing range of ramen, broths, laksas and rice and noodle dishes. Everything is made in-house, including desserts, and this is evident both in the distinctly roasted flavour of the duck and the rich, squidgy moistness of the chocolate brownie. Fish dishes are handled well too, with the red snapper cooked to firm and tasty perfection. Being such a good all-rounder means that Bar Soba attracts a mix of customers and never feels cliquey or exclusive, thanks, in part, to the pleasant staff. The dimly lit bar is fit for both quiet, after-work chats or rowdy Saturday night gatherings and the décor is modern and unobtrusive without being bland or minimal. An exhaustive cocktail menu and groaning bar shelves make Bar Soba a good choice for drinkers too.