please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I can honestly say this has to be one of the nicest pubs in Oxfordshire.
Why you may ask and I shall tell you.
The pub is a very prettyThatch that ticks all the boxes in regards to location, ample parking (which is essential due to how popular this pub is) and its beautiful garden with ample seating.
However its when you step inside is when you are taken away by how lovely this pub is.
The decor of the pub is truely amazing and after talking to staff this is alI reflected on that its a very cared for family run pub which is hard to find now due to big companies taking over.
The atmosphere in the pub is so warm and relaxed. Theres different nooks and crannies here and there its hard to take it all in.
We had dinner here and have to say the food was superb. A great menu with different choices and there was also a board with some Specials so a great varied selection. I wouldnt say this pub was expensive, I would say you certainly get what you pay for and we couldnt fault a thing.
Desserts claimed to be homemade and as this had a family feel to it, I didnt expect anything else and I certainly wasnt disapointed.
This is a true gem and one that I am so happy to have found and would thoroughly recommend this pub.
White/T
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We visited this pub on our way back home from Windsor, we found it purely by chance but it looked lovely so we decided to stop for lunch. The prices were quite expensive ( �8.95 for burger & chips), but we ordered meals for myself, my husband and my son who is quite fussy but they were very helpful and he was very happy with his meal. Both myself and my husband ordered the homemade burgers and on bringing the food we were very impressed. However I cut my burger in half (as it was quite large) to find that it was still pink in the middle as was my husband�s. We asked the waiter/bar man about this and although the meat definitely had an undercooked pinkness he insisted that everything was made and cooked freshly and that they added some tomato paste which would also give the burgers a pink look. We decided that we would trust the waiter and thought to how steaks were medium cooked but although I did try to finish my meal I did not enjoy it. Maybe this is how homemade burgers are cooked but we are definitely not used to it and if I could make a suggestion it would be to make it known to diners as they order this meal so they can make their own minds up how they are cooked as they would do if they were ordering steaks. As for the rest of the visit I cannot really complain, the staff were very polite and the service was good, it was just spoilt by the way the food was cooked.
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what a wnker smurf is, the "door man" is the landlord & chef!!!! tell me how you can cook a freshly prepared chicken breast in under 25 minutes without using the "special ovens" (microwave ovens) as they obviously do in his usual high quality pub, the harvester. his regular table wasnt available in there on friday so he decided to upset the staff there and give them a bad review as well, he does in every pub he goes in ( look at his reviews ) then came to my pub to try the same stunt!!!! i will be getting my cctv tapes out to put him on pub watch as all he wants to do is cause trouble, try mcdonalds smurf, it seems more like your kind of quick food.
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This pub is a really nice pub. The food is generally really good. Higher price than pub grub but then it is high quality food. On that score I can't complain. Each meal I've had in there has always been good. Decent car park, close to major roads like the A34 and M40; spacious pub and a large bar.
My only gripe was the barman. A reasonable chap to start with when I enquired about getting a table without previously booking on a busy Friday night. I didn't like being referred to a "young man" especially given that I'm closer to 40 that 30. It isn't a compliment. He found us a table and invited us to order from the menu and then take the seat in a few minutes. We ordered food around 8.55 - 9pm. No mention of a long wait. I can understand a wait when it is busy but most tables already appeared to be eating their food.
At 9.35 I enquired as to the whereabouts of our food. I was met with "You only ordered 20 minutes ago and the chicken takes 25". Besides being incorrect, the manner at his reply was very rude. Even had he been correct, he should have pandered to the customers request and said "I'll go and find out for you, I do apologise". I've worked in the catering business many a time in front of house and in the kitchen. I begged to differ on his timing and at that point he just walked away and continued to empty the dishwasher.
I returned to my table not happy and I explained what had happened. We had lost our appetite by this point and decided we'd prefer to just square the drinks bill up and leave. Another 10 minutes went by and at 9.45 I went to the bar and simply said "Come on, it's now been 45 minutes". He responded with "Don't you want it now then?". I said no, we paid for our drinks and left. Not a single apology. Not a single please or thank you. He couldn't even look me in the eye when handing me the card machine or handing my card back. He is most definitely in the wrong job. He should return to being a doorman.
With the evening wearing on and nowhere to get food at a late hour we left and went back to ourlocal village pub.
Sad really as this is a nice pub. It doesn't take much to ruin a nice place to go. I've no idea why he was so rude or so stand-offish when I, quite rightly, enquired as to the whereabouts of my food. I've lowered my rating purely because of the poor manner of the barman. This pub deserves a better rating and better staff.
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I think the bad comments in these reviews are for a different pub, or written by professional whiners. I can only praise the way that this pub is run. It is a family business and it shows in the details that make this pub a pleasure to visit. We had a meal for 8 on Christmas day and were treated to excellent food, Wine, Beer and service. If you require the correct wine glass then I would suggest you go to somewhere where the price reflects the ironing of the tablecloths and the correct cutlery according to wisdens guide for fussy alehouse cuisine.
If your travelling along the A34 or passing the Bicester/Oxford junction of the M40, please try to find time to visit this wonderful pub.
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I think the bad comments in these reviews are for a different pub, or written by professional whiners. I can only praise the way that this pub is run. It is a family business and it shows in the details that make this pub a pleasure to visit. We had a meal for 8 on Christmas day and were treated to excellent food, Wine, Beer and service. If you require the correct wine glass then I would suggest you go to somewhere where the price reflects the ironing of the tablecloths and the correct cutlery according to wisdens guide for fussy alehouse cuisine.
If your travelling along the A34 or passing the Bicester/Oxford junction of the M40, please try to find time to visit this wonderful pub.
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I last posted my comments regarding this pub back in August but feel I must praise this pub again and also to Thank ALL the Staff for making our Christmas Day. The atmosphere of the pub was very warm and high spirited and the service again was just the best, making sure we never wanted for anything.
The meal its self was fantastic and after each course were not rushed to then have the next course that you sometimes get in other pubs as they themselves want to get home for Christmas. It thoroughly was an enjoyable and special day and they really did make our Christmas so Thank You All very much.
My wife had her Staff Christmas Party there 2 weeks before Christmas and they all had the pubs Christmas Fayre menu which she brought home after making the reservation and again the menu was very interesting and at a good price. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have re booked there for the same week next year! Maybe its a little sad always going to the same pub when you choose to dine out and to celebrate a Special occasion, however why risk going somewhere else when you know of such a Wonderful Pub that gives you everything you could possibly want. Be interesting to see what there Mothers Day Menu will be as no doubt my Son shall be bringing my Wife. Anywhere else and one thinks she will be extremely disappointed!
anonymous - 18 Jan 2009 15:09 |
My partner has visited this pub and has totally different views to some.On our way to Reading or Oxford greyhounds she finds this pub very handy for a stop off because of its proximity to the M40 as we are not admirers of the Little Chef.She informs me the landlady Samantha to be a very well spoken young lady with genuine concern if only an order of a pot of tea and a sandwich is requested. On a further visit the chef Dominic grilled the perfect salmon dish.Surely this is all that be required for a pub meal good honest food not to expensive served with a smile BEST OF LUCK TO THE TWO OF YOU
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what a sad person w dawson sounds! ive been to the chequers many times and can only say i wish there were more pubs like this one. foods great, staff friendly and the decor of the pub is 1st class. dawson get a life, two reviews and both negative, this sight is for posertive feed back aswell! what did you do on valentines night ? registerd on beerintheevening and tried to destroy someone pub, bet your partner cant wait tli next year.
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After reading the review from wdawson77 about this pub I felt I had to write about my experience to let other readers know what this pub is realy like.
I also live quite a distance from Weston on the Green (45mins) but never mind the drive as I know I will have a superb meal in a lovley pub.
From the outside it is an attractive thatched pub and has plenty of car parking spaces. There is also a nice garden seating area for when we do have those sunny days! Inside is very cosy with inglenook fire places and beams. The staff I have found on every occasion are extremley helpful and friendly and on the whole realy do make you feel welcome.
The first time I visited this pub was just my wife and I and we went for Sunday lunch. We were told we would have to wait for a table to become available as all were taken, this is something I never mind as its a good sign a place does good food. Anyway the lady made us feel like we wasnt in the way and showed us to a seating area in the pub where we could wait opposite a lovley fireplace that I imagine in winter to be lovley. It was actually quite nice to sit there and have a drink before being taking to our table. The Sunday roast that we both had was fantastic and the quality of the meat was outstanding. We were offered the desert menu but sadly declined due to their portions however the menu looked very tempting and promised that next time we would defiantley treat ourselves. We have visited this pub many times now with family that have come to visit us and friends and have certainly reccommened this to nearby neighbours of ours. The menu is great and has something to offer everybody and they have a great selection of Specials that is good for someone like myself who has been there several times. I work in London and have dined there many many times but can honestly say this pub certainly offers superb food. You can tell that everything is fresh and has great flavour and the presentation is one of the best.
We have since then tried their deserts and unfortunatley cannot resist now every time we go there...they truly are amazing and a real must! Not so good on the old waistline though.
I would just like to say to all of those looking for an unbeatable pub with such great character and above all very friendly staff and food that can only be described as Superb, then this realy is the place to go.
I have heard they do a midweek Cavery but unfortunatley due to work unable to go there but no doubt that it would be a very enjoyable meal.
We are though looking forward to having our Christmas day there with our family and have every confidence they will make it yet another special and memorable day. Please Chequers...do not change a thing and keep up the good work.
J Hall
anonymous - 18 Aug 2008 23:44 |
what a lovely looking pub, we were meeting friends that we haven't seen for a while and it took each party an hour to drive to this pub.
However things soon went down hill once we were deciding what to eat!
The pub had sold out of chicken and steak...on a thursday night!
3 out of the 4 starters were ok, the soup; basil and tomato came out of a heinz tin and had no basil to be seen, it was untouched the waitress noticed and commented but didn't come back to us on it and it wasn't removed from the bill!
During the main course I ordered a red wine which came out in what I can only describe as an over sized novelty brandy glass - I had to decanter it in to a more suitable wine glass!
The main course came out, 2 of us had the lamb in a red wine sauce. The piece of lamb was massive, good idea if it was actually cooked and we could get a knife through it no steak knife was offered and the wine sauce was tasteless, so in the end we gave up eating just as my parters piece started bleeding! As for the accompaniments of potato's I was told I was having mash when I ordered new, which came out to me just as i had decided to give up eating and the chips which came out for 2 of our party were placed next to one person at the far end of the table so we thought more were coming but they didn't. To top it off my friend who had the measly portion of dried out salmon and parma ham has been struck down by food poisoning today and for someone who is self employed that's pretty costly.
The bill was large for really a very disappointing meal. I'm just glad we were in nice company other wise the night would have been a real disaster.
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I completely disagree with the previous comment. We went for a late supper with our two boys last Saturday and were treated so kindly. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere welcoming and I really couldn't fault it. I would recomend a visit with or without children.
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Visited this pub/restaurant on 6th may 2008 after a long drive from southampton as we were on our way to alton towers. Beautiful pub to look at but the food ordered was disgusting. The burger was not cooked and when i told the staff she took it to chef and returned it cold chips and all and called me a liar when you could see the meat was pink. Very poor service and rude staff. would AVOID
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new people taken over this lovely thatched pub 1st week in march, not open til 12th.looks superb from outside & menu sounds fantastic. usual fuller beers and 2 guest ales i was informed.watch this space i feel
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used to be a great pub to stop at on the way home, but it must be in new hands as the place does not have the same feel as it did a year ago. shame
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Visited for lunch mid-week, nice pub plenty of outside seating. It has recently changed hands, the food was excellent, good menu and service. Staff were keen to help and provided everything we needed. We shall return.
anonymous - 14 Apr 2007 17:19 |
Great food, very good beer and pretty good prices too. Staff are quite friendly if a little poor on their ability to speak English. Sizeable pub with a good size car park. More of an eating place in my opinion, but quite welcoming in general.
anonymous - 26 Sep 2006 15:56 |
This pub is now the best it has been in decades. Superb food, wine, pleasant and comfortable surroundings, not too smoky for non-smokers, good service. Sofas and fireplace if you just want to share a bottle of wine with someone. Only downside is lack of locals around bar to chat to but that's probably why it's not too smoky. Arrange to meet someone in advance!
anonymous - 17 Apr 2006 16:52 |
A Beautiful old world thatched pub in the country but less than a mile from the busy A34 between Oxford and Bicester. Run by Richard Walker, a trained chef, the food is wonderful. Watch the specials board he comes up with some wonderful creations - Steak and Chilli ice cream - yummy!! Large car park, big patio area looking out on the counrty side, a good place to go and relax and have a good meal and a quiet drink. I was very impressed.
Jenny Walker - 21 Aug 2005 12:40 |
