please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pub recently closed down & has reopened as temporary premises for the Fairmile Hospital Sports & Social Club while the Hospital site is redeveloped.
It was a pity that this place didn't survive under its most recent management. While it was alleged that the owner had bought it to get a commercial kitchen for use by his ice-cream business the team here were enthusiatic (if amateurish - on my first visit under the new regime the dining room was in some disarray with menu pages piled up on a side table rather than actually in the menus, cutlery in heaps on another table).
I suspect part of the problem, apart from the economic climate, was that the food side was just too ambitious. Along with the very good pizzas there were far too many dishes to be sustainable in a simple village pub.
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As this pub is on one of the Thames Path routes (the section that ends at Cholsey followed by a walk to the railway station) I thought I would pop in yesterday, Saturday 5th June 2010. I had checked it out here as well as looking at their website which proclaimed Saturday lunchtime opening hours of noon to 3pm. Imagine my disappointment when, after 16miles of walking on a very hot and sunny day, I arrived at their doors at 1.30pm to find the premises locked up. The opening hours on their front notice board had tape placed over them. Looking through the windows, the place looked pleasant and ready for business. All bottles were in the racks. All the tables had menus and cutlery laid out, everything looked clean. But there were no people around, no lights on and no explanation. I had no option but to continue to the railway station and take the next train back to civilisation! The lack of an explanation for this unexpected closure leaves me no option than to score them a zero.
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I went to the Morning Star at the Weekend and was suprised to see this is under new management.
They're doing stone baked pizzas and I couldn't resist, very tasty indeed. I noticed they're also doing Sunday Roast and make they're own Ice Cream.
There were 3 real ales, Moorlands, IPA and Speckled Hen and they plan to bring a guest ale in as well. Nice to see a log fire roaring away and was made to feel very welcome. The prices are very reasonable so I'd recomend this place to anyone.
They also do takeaway pizza and other food if this appeals
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i called in this pub expecting the usual cheep and cheerfull villiage pub meal but to my suprise the food was a good restaurant standard and the ale at the best quality. never in a villiage pub have i eaten so well and enjoyed it so much. i would recommend this establishment to anybody who has a bond with the traditional villiage pub, as if they were all run to this standard would not be worrying about there future. i would also like to add that the landlord and landlady go out of their way to make you feel at home, which to me go a long way. i look forward to visiting Emma and John as soon as i next can. a lovely time was had by my family myself.
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I went in the Engine Bar and was instantly aware of the smell of the toilets. I don't know what the cure for this is - an extractor fan perhaps in the bog area?
I bought a pint of Morland Original which was dreadful.
I also had a Stilton Ploughmans which was really excellent and good value for money.
I didn't try the other (smarter?) bar.
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Recently re-opened after a sympathetically traditional refit (carpet, old wood, exposed tudor-ish beams) and with a friendly young couple of publicans. Three real ales - Greene King IPA, Morland's Original and Ridley's Witchfinder Porter. Has TV and juke box, a long bar area that is partitioned, and is handy for the station. The menu looked good value, with deals on some days (pie or curry and a pint for a fiver), and was traditonal pub fayre. Licenced to 1am on fri and sat, but may not stay open if quiet. Worth a visit, and deserves supporting, as a second pub is a valuable addition to the area.
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Had Sunday lunch (carvery) here a couple of times. Good value if a bit basic. Veg a bit overcooked but meat very tasty.
Friendly staff.
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Net curtains. need i say more?
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Oh dear. Stopped by about 4PM on a wet midweek afternoon. Scruffy, smelly bar populated by a few local alkies spending their benefit money and the barman playing darts against himself. The fake Morlands was OK though.
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Great pub with good atmosphere and good food.
geoff stone - 16 Oct 2003 23:38 |
