Copa, Cheltenham （英国）

Lazy weekend lunching in England’s city center bars more often than not involves bulging sandwiches, chunky potato wedges and pots of mayonnaise. The classier joints go all out and supply a rough salad garnish, too. 

If this is what you are after, Cheltenham’s Copa (on Regent Street) doesn’t disappoint. Pleasant surroundings – spacious but packed with lunchtime drinkers – chirpy staff, plus a range of ales and fashionable European beers with which to wash down a selection of bar food classics ranging from nachos to Belgian waffles.

We went with the nachos – topped with Tickler Devon cheddar, sour cream pico de gallo, guacamole and jalapenos; the Loch Fyne smoked salmon and lemon mayonnaise sandwich; and a succulent, triple decked Copa Club Sandwich so packed with chicken and bacon that the thick cut multi-grain bread could barely contain them. Both sandwiches came with decent chunky chips and the wilting salad, as anticipated. Not a single pot of mayo was to be seen.

Although my salmon was delicious, the sandwich was visually less impressive overall than my dining partner’s club sandwich – sandwich envy isn’t much fun. Beer and conversation with friends long missed, on the other hand, certainly is.

01242 245044

http://gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-cheltenham/copa-of-cheltenham-pub/