From the first whistle we will hold our hands up, this wasn’t our first, and certainly wouldn’t be our last, visit to Apres. In fact, living up to its name, the popular bar-come-restaurant at The Brewery in Cheltenham has indeed become a regular after-work haunt for the SoGlos.com team since it first opened a few years ago.

When the sun sets, thanks to a packed schedule of sporting fixtures beamed live onto huge screens, a generous happy hour renowned across town, and even sultry salsa classes, Apres provides the post-5.30pm Cheltenham crowd with a lively experience throughout the week – making way for glitzier gatherings on the weekend.

But, during the day, flip flop-wearing students, babies in buggies (next to their latte-sipping mums) and the tell-tale suits of local business people can all be found lounging in the red leather chairs, talking on mobile phones and tapping away on laptops in the laid back, ski lodge-styled venue.

Grabbing a supermarket sandwich on the go, warming up some soup or wolfing down a salad at our desks when we’re feeling particularly health conscious – we aren’t a bunch that ‘lunch’ that often. So, despite being Apres aficionados after dusk, for a spot of midday sustenance I couldn’t help but feel a bit dubious about the bar’s ability to deliver during the day.

Arriving on a busy, but not overly crowded Friday lunchtime, we took up residence in a tucked away booth. With all attention quickly turning to the extensive menu, I felt a little overwhelmed at the prospect of making a speedy decision – with choices ranging from healthier options such as salads and jacket potatoes, to the tempting burgers, stone-baked pizza and pasta. Even more pleasing to the eye were the reasonable prices, matched with an array of daily deals.

After serious deliberation I settled on a simple tuna and mayonnaise panini, which arrived promptly, plumply stuffed with a tasty filling, and was well-toasted. Accompanied with a mound of crisps and a small side salad coated in delicious dressing, the portion was perfectly sized, leaving me purring in contentment.

Opposite, a more than ample chicken and bacon club sandwich was simultaneously delivered and the devouring began. Yet, with three layers to each triangle slice, the monumental sandwich couldn’t be conquered.

A 6oz Angus beef burger, ordered by a third member of our party meanwhile, made the other dishes look puny. The meaty hunk was nestled in a toasted white bap and looked mouth-watering. Complemented with a manly helping of fries, the burger was perfectly-cooked and well-seasoned, and a real hit with its happy-looking new owner.

Whilst the town centre was positively heaving with people during our Friday lunchtime visit, Apres provided a cosy refuge by comparison and a welcome opportunity to catch a breath from the hectic working day – and made us all question why we didn’t lunch out more often.

Apres will always be an evening favourite for the SoGlos.com team, but it’s more casual daytime alter ego should be given its due too, far surpassing our original expectations.

Helena Murphy
25 August 2011