Tap & Grill @ The Farmers

Tap & Grill @ The Farmers – A Bold New Pan-Asian Fusion with Room to Grow

If you’re venturing out to Yaxley and looking for something a little different from your standard pub fare, Tap & Grill @ The Farmers might catch your eye. This newly launched Pan-Asian offering is tucked inside a freshly refurbished pub and shows promise, even if it’s still finding its feet.

From the moment we arrived, the experience started off well. We were warmly welcomed and quickly shown to a private room – a lovely touch that gave us a sense of occasion, though it did lack a bit of atmosphere. Perhaps it’s the curse of opening something new in a large space – the venue was surprisingly quiet for a Friday night, which dampened the energy a little.

That said, what the space lacked in buzz, the staff more than made up for in charm. Everyone we encountered was exceptionally friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about our experience. Honestly, they were one of the highlights of the evening. 😍

Starters: Promising Flavours & Great Value

We kicked things off with the mixed starter platter, which was excellent value for four people. The onion bhajis were crispy and comforting, and the half tandoori chicken really stood out – juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The chicken tikka was decent, though perhaps a bit underwhelming in terms of depth of flavour. Still, a strong start overall.

Mains: Generous Portions, Some Hits and Misses

Mains were a bit of a mixed bag. The goat curry was a standout – tender, well-cooked meat (albeit boneless, which might disappoint purists). It felt like a dish made with care, and it could easily become a signature if they continue to refine it.

On the other hand, the chilli chicken and chicken curry were just okay – hearty, sure, but lacking the bold spices and depth you’d expect from a Pan-Asian menu. That said, the portion sizes were generous, and the butter chicken was rich, saucy, and satisfying – especially when paired with a garlic naan, which was flavourful if a little on the doughy side.

We did miss having staples like poppadoms and found the rice and bread options needed more development. Some menu limitations were noticeable too – perhaps due to the kitchen still testing what works.

One misstep worth noting was a mix-up with one of our dishes, which unfortunately arrived after a heavy hand with the salt. These things happen, especially early on, but it’s something to be aware of.

The Atmosphere: Quiet Nights & Identity Questions

The biggest drawback was the lack of atmosphere. For such a large and nicely done-up venue, it felt oddly empty, especially on what should be a busy evening. It’s early days, and word may not have fully spread yet, but the contrast between the modern fusion food and the old-school pub setting was a bit jarring. The attempt to blend traditional pub grub with global flavours is ambitious – perhaps too much so for the local crowd just yet.

There’s also a bit of an identity crisis: is this an Indian/Pan-Asian restaurant, or a pub doing curries on the side? The wide mix of influences, while interesting, sometimes diluted the focus.

The Sweet Finish: Cake to Go

While we didn’t stay for dessert, we did grab a cake to go, and it was a lovely touch – rich, indulgent, and definitely worth the takeaway. Honestly, next time, I’d be tempted to come back just for coffee and cake if nothing else.

Final Thoughts: A Solid Start with Room for Refinement

Tap & Grill @ The Farmers has laid some solid foundations – friendly staff, generous portions, and a couple of standout dishes (hello, goat curry and paneer butter masala). But it’s still in development mode. The menu needs refining, the atmosphere needs building, and a clearer culinary direction wouldn’t hurt.

At the moment, it’s a bit pricey for what it is, and some dishes didn’t quite hit the mark. Still, there’s potential here – especially if they continue to grow the menu, dial in the flavours, and draw a bigger crowd to match the space.

Rating: 1.5 to 2 out of 5 – with the caveat that with a few tweaks, this could easily rise.