BITE user comments - Hellskitchen
Comments by Hellskitchen
It�s reassuring that pubs like this still survive . The kind of delightful pub that is fast disappearing, untouched by modern trends to modernise and �gastro-ise�. On the occasion we visited, staffed by two ladies and a shy but talkative parrot This pub offers good traditional home cooked meals, like those my mother used to cook and sold at budget prices. With four Arkells ales on offer, we stuck with the Moonlight which was in excellent condition. A must for a return visit.
16 Sep 2012 16:46
My impressions were exactly the same as the previous reviewer, even better, two seasonal Rebellion ales were on offer. Although the food available was standard pub fare, it was prepared to a good standard and at a modest price.
22 Jun 2012 20:57
Watership Down, Freefolk Priors
A slightly unusual pub, visited on a bright crisp Autumn day.
The cream painted tables were decorated with hand painted green and red dragons. The dragon & maidens theme also feature in some of the artwork adorning adjacent walls. Beer on offer was Sadler�s Haunted House, Boon Doggle soon replaced by Doom Bar, and Ringwood�s Best, two of which we sampled and were fine.
We were divided in opinion on the food. Stuffed hearts were enjoyed by one of our number, another although at first uncertain about his pale sausages, nevertheless enjoyed the meal. I was less impressed with the chicken & mushroom pie, the pastry of which had collapsed into the filling, resulting in a solid layer of stodge.
11 Dec 2011 13:01
I and two friends dropped into here for lunch, part way along a circular walk from Crowthorne. This is a traditional pub with a good choice of ales, Hobgoblin, Pedigree and Brakspear Bitter and Oxford Gold (n/a) . Unfortunately our arrival coincided with a local ramblers club dropping in 20-30 plus customers without prior warning and somewhat catching the landlady unawares. In spite of this unexpected demand she coped admirably, retained her humour and we only encountered one slight delay whilst waiting for a refill. The beef and ale pie at �10.50 was good value and unusually for this dish, was packed full of meat. A nice pub, well worth a return visit.
16 Nov 2011 09:04
Having booked for a one o�clock Sunday lunch, we were slightly concerned by the mixed reviews on other websites. Our initial impression was of nil diners and a crowd of serious drinkers, probably lads getting together after Sunday football. Two cask ales were available, Greene King IPA and Speckled Hen. The landlady was friendly and efficient, relocating, us to far end of the neat dining area, only when we were ready to move. When our food order was taken, she was careful to write the time on the order. Throughout the meal the restaurant staffs were courteous and attentive and the Sunday roast was to a very good standard, delivered in a timely fashion. Gradually the restaurant filled out and overall the place had a good atmosphere. I�d say they are conscious of their critics and working hard to redress their comments.
8 Nov 2011 15:30
Posted on behalf of a fellow walker;
"On a nine mile circular walk out from Twyford we made a small diversion off the route to sample the lunchtime delights of the Bell having missed the opportunity on a ramble several weeks earlier. The village of Waltham St Lawrence is steeped in history and the Bell maintains the image boasting its fourteenth century pedigree on the name board.
As you would expect with a place of this great age it feels a bit enclosed but it looks like the owners have made best use of the available space including tables outside front and rear.
The bar staff were friendly and attentive and we were not kept waiting to be served.
There was a good selection of beers on offer, including local, with a handy description of each chalked on slates above the bar. There were some interesting ciders too.
The food was a bit pretentious and dare I suggest: over-priced? But the quality was not an issue. I had the pan fried hake and my fellow ramblers opted for the bambi burger although they later spotted moules marini�re hidden away on the menu which I suggest may have influenced the choice had they seen it earlier.
I would be happy, if another route takes us past this way, to pop in for another sampling..."
8 Nov 2011 15:02
We revisited with some friends for Sunday lunch. Although the landlady is very friendly and clearly very hard working, the impression is that the place desperately needs some part time help. Although the orders were taken reasonable, quickly all courses took an inordinate time to arrive. The main door and all the windows were left open on a fresh autumn day, making the pub pretty chill, whilst encouraging a group of tweedies to let their offspring and dogs treat the place like a private play yard. It�s a shame, but my conclusion, The Old House is not the place to take friends for a sociable lunch.
8 Nov 2011 14:58
We�d been visiting Tilbury Fort and having checked out the reviews, thought this pub might be our best chance of a decent pint & lunch before hitting the M25 and heading back to Berkshire. I grew up in the area, not far from the village of Orsett. I hadn�t been to this pub for several years and was a little concerned that widescreen sport TV was black boarded outside. I was pleasantly surprised as the pub didn�t look as tired as I remembered it and has clearly improved since my last visit. The landlord was crisply efficient and accommodating and the cask ales were all of a good standard. For food, three opted for the house speciality of liver & bacon, I had lasagne. We all agreed that the food was good. Nice to see that there is at least one decent pub surviving in the area.
17 Sep 2011 18:03
I and a group of friends were touring Kent and choose to stay here for a couple of nights. Although close to several major transport routes, closest of which are the M20, A249 and the Channel Tunnel rail link, the pub nestles comfortably and quietly at the foot of the North Downs in the attractive village of Thurnham.
The front of house bar area is cosy and welcoming, in a traditional part-timbered style with bare wooden floorboards. The restaurant extensions to the rear are sympathetic to this design and comprise of a series of partitioned tiers, sloping away out of view from the main bar. Thus, not intruding on those customers just there for a drink.
Three cask ales were available, with a programme of forthcoming guest ales posted on a blackboard. The Grasshopper Bitter I had was consistently of a good standard. The food served in the restaurant was also of a very good quality. On our first evening, a Tuesday, the restaurant was fully occupied. This may in part be due to the hotel part of the business. The rooms and reception are entirely segregated (and concealed) from the pub & restaurant elements of the inn. Considering that this place has so much to offer, I find it sad that other reviewers comment so little about the wider positive aspects of the business and focus only on apparent minor negatives. Sampling hospitality, food and drink over two days (four meals and two bar sessions) I and my companions agree that this inn is a first rate gem, in all aspects. We wouldn�t hesitate to return if ever visiting the area in the future. Overall, this place is excellent.
17 Sep 2011 17:39
Having visited the nearby Battle of Britain museum at Hawkinge in the morning, we happened on this pub only 4.5 miles away. Coincidentally, it would seem that it appeared in the movie 'The Battle of Britain'. Christopher Plummer and Susannah York meet here in a scene in the film. Although the front bar areas appear to be original, a medium sized restaurant area has been added to the pub at some stage in its life. Sadly, completely out of keeping with the rural aspect of the older part of the property. I�d guess that it is now operated by one of the larger chain inn owners.
The young male and female working the establishment were welcoming and cheerfully efficient. Three cask ales were on offer, Shepherds Neame Spitfire, Harveys Sussex Best Bitter and another. All four of us were served acceptable pints. The food, probably pre-prepared, but was to a good standard. Two of us choose a ploughman�s lunch that included three types of cheese, more than I would normally eat in a week.
17 Sep 2011 16:47
I�m surprised that previously this pub has scored so badly. I can only assume these undated scores relate to earlier ownership as a web search has revealed that it closed in 2008, but was reopened by 2010, refurbished and under new management. Although staying B&B at another inn in Sandwich, I and three friends decided to try this pub for beer and a meal.
Entry to the pub revealed a large nicely restored traditionally timbered pub bar, with open access to a modestly sized restaurant section running towards the rear of the pub. Although furnished with lighter coloured tables & chairs it serves to delineate drinkers from diners in the pub. Three cask ales were on tap, Master Brew, Incubus and another (Courage Best?). We agreed that the beers were in far better condition than those served at our B&B. The restaurant seemed pretty popular for a Monday evening. Three of us tried the set menu, which was both value for money and prepared to a very good standard. The staff and were friendly and efficient. I guess that it�s unfair to comment on other venues in Sandwich when you haven�t visited them, but based on recent extensive trawls of the web, this may well be one of the better pubs to eat & dine at in central Sandwich.
17 Sep 2011 16:16
We popped in here for a late afternoon beer about 10 days ago. Although there was a good selection of ales on offer and the three of us chose differently, we agreed that all had been chilled to the point that any flavour was lost.
10 Sep 2011 10:48
The Stag and Huntsman, Hambleden
Having walked from Henley via Aston, we were looking forward to lunchtime refreshments at this pub. Sadly it had CLOSED FOR BUSINESS last Sunday, 4 September. The lady at the pleasant little store advised that the pub is owned by the Hambleden Estate and is being redeveloped to provide more bedrooms, amongst other improvements. She hoped it wouldn�t end up too much the modern gastro pub. Fortunately the store sold freshly filled rolls, pies, soft drinks, tea, coffee and canned beer, offering a welcome alternative. We dined al fresco on the stores picnic benches, watching the world pass by.
10 Sep 2011 10:43
Walking from Marlow to Twyford with two friends, The Old House was conveniently located along our route, coinciding with a break for lunch. Although clearly more of a gastro pub it has been furnished in a thoughtful rustic fashion, so as not to ward off those requiring just a lunch time tipple and a lighter bite. The staff were friendly and welcoming; two local cask ales from the Rebellion brewery were on offer as well as a draught cider. The lunchtime menu offered sandwiches, baguettes or ploughman's, the alternative was something from the A La Carte menu; the only slight disappointment was that a lesser hot meal somewhere between the two was not on offer. Our collective opinion was of an attractive pub offering freshly prepared food of good quality and at a fair price. I look forward to returning to sample their Sunday lunch menu.
6 Sep 2011 12:03
Visited at lunch time on a soggy grey February day, this is a large imposing pub situated on the corner of Crowthorne High Street. The interior suggests this pub has seen better days. The two ales on offer were instantly forgettable. Before accepting our food order the friendly young barman mentioned by the previous reviewer, checked a hand written note to ensure that our menu choices were still available. As these were fish & chips x2 and a mixed grill this was surprising as the pub had only just opened. This was delivered after a long wait, heavily overcooked. My dark brown fish & chips would have benefitted from safety goggles for shatter protection. Not worth complaining in this kind of cheap but cheerless pub.
15 Feb 2011 09:14
This is a large pub overlooking the green which we visited for lunch. The Fullers ales were for the most part ok, with one exception, which was exchanged without fuss. My steak , ale and butterbean pie had plenty of meat in it, although the fries had dried out a bit. Reasonable food at a fair price with good beer. An ok pub.
11 May 2010 14:10
The George On The Green, Holyport
A traditional pub interior, but really now more a gastro pub. A selection of 3 cask ales to choose from, I think it was London Pride, Rebellion and one other. My pint was excellent. We�ve visited here twice at weekends in recent months. Once at lunch time, the second time for an evening meal. The place appears popular at weekends and even though the restaurant was full on a Friday evening there appeared to be a crowd of regulars meeting for a pint in the adjacent but small bar area there is a good atmosphere about the place. During both our visits the landlord and staff were friendly, welcoming and efficient. The food was both affordable and to a very good standard.
11 May 2010 12:47
The Foresters Arms, Brockenhurst
Good atmosphere on a Saturday night, usually packed, with friendly efficient staff. A village PUB in the truest sense, hen nights, local regulars, etc. Beer is always good although didn�t try the food during our annual visit this year. Not the best pub on the planet but well worth a visit.
30 Apr 2010 19:02
The Snakecatcher, Brockenhurst
Allegedly the pub changed hands about a year ago and has ecently just reopened following a substantial (tasteful) refurbishment. It now has a much better arrangement and generally more welcoming feel about the place than our previous visit. Admittedly some of the staff are inexperienced but they rectified an error without fuss. We decided to call back for lunch the following day. Five cask ales were available, two Ringwood ales from hand pumps, a third Ringwood and two guests from kegs stacked at the rear of the bar. Our home made burger, chunky chips and Greek salad were plentiful, enjoyable and good value. Very promising.
30 Apr 2010 18:37
Halfway round a circular walk from Brockenhurst we dropped in for a pint and surprisingly managed to get a table and decided to remain for lunch. The door step crab and crayfish sandwiches were excellent and also good value, as was the ale served from the 4 kegs propped up at the rear of the bar.
30 Apr 2010 18:13
Based on the recommendations of this blog and a friend who regularly visits the pub, we booked a table for four for lunch on Sunday . What a dreadful disappointment. We had just ordered our meal in time to overhear a neighbouring table complain about the toughness of the beef. The landlady dealt with the complainant by providing instruction on the correct way to cut meat! Thereafter our meals lived up to expectation. Overcooked dry roast beef, blackened roasties with squidgy insides and a platter of vegetables with all the flavour steamed out of them. Very much the essence of a reheated late dinner, better in a dog. The Ringwood ale was the only redeeming feature of this visit.
30 Apr 2010 17:42
The Coach and Horses, Rotherwick
Out walking with friends on a lovely spring day, this old coaching inn is an adequate watering hole with at least three Badger ales on tap. I�d also go with the fish and chips which were excellent.
14 Apr 2010 20:21
Two thirds along a lengthy cross country walk me and my wife stumbled on this lovely little pub last Saturday. With a newly refurbished interior it was nicely fitted out and 2 of the 3 ale pumps (referred to by the previous reviewer) were in operation. I can�t recall what I ordered although I do know it was a very nice pint. I�d suggest the staff (owners?) are still finding their feet and they were friendly and eager to please. Advertising itself as a gastro pub, although initially disappointed by the limited options for a light lunch we were soon pleasantly surprised by the lovely chunky sandwiches which they served with salad and proper crisps. Good value and very tasty. I�d be quite prepared to travel back here for a longer visit.
14 Apr 2010 19:53
The Bottle and Glass, Binfield Heath
This is a pristine and picturesque thatched pub with two small bars, both equipped with wood burning stoves. My wife and I were three-quarters of the way along a circular walk from Henley and just looking for a light lunch. There is a cosy feel about the place and the landlady and her assistant (daughter?) were friendly and helpful. Two cask ales by Brakspears were available, a third pump was untagged. My pint of Oxford ale was fine. The lunchtime menu appeared averagely priced for a country pub of this kind. Hot food served to an adjacent table looked really appetising. We opted for one Stilton Ploughman�s and also a serving of Hummus , Pate & Olives, both nicely presented on wooden platters , together they cost �12.50. We shared these and thought them an adequate lunch for the price. Our overall impression, a nice pub and a pleasant experience.
13 Mar 2010 18:48
Yesterday we made a late decision to go for a walk in the knowledge that on a sunny bank holiday we could expect many of the local pubs to be full. Arriving in the Dew Drop we found the pub pretty well packed with families and young children. The landlord and landlady were clearly working under a great deal of pressure but remained helpful, friendly and efficient. Well cared for Brakspear�s on tap (3 ales), a roaring fire on a cold winter�s day, a welcoming sociable atmosphere. Food and drink arrived in a timely fashion. If only all pubs were like this.
29 Dec 2009 17:35
Arrived today for impromptu lunch to be informed by departing staff that the White Lion ceased trading last Sunday and is now up for sale.
1 Dec 2009 17:41
St Leonards Hotel, St Leonards
During September I and a group of friends were staying a couple of nights at the Travel Lodge on the opposite side of the A31. There weren�t any options if we wished to avoid drinking and driving so drank and ate hear for the two nights. Although late in the season it was popular with travel groups and necessary to book a table. Three or more cask ales were on tap and the food pretty fair, served by friendly staff. Not bad considering the location.
4 Oct 2009 18:01
Two months on and we though we'd try a Sunday lunch. Plenty of polite young staff, although mostly very low on awareness. Getting initial drinks and refills was hard work. Our lunch was served just barely warm. I was told by the young lady serving table that "Tinners was off " but that all other "draught" bears were available. I asked what alternative cask ales were obtainable and she disappeared, ne'er to return. Last seen 10 minutes later chatting sociably to people in the adjacent bar. We struggled to obtain a desert and when the bill finally arrived, discovered that all the drinks from another table had been added to our tab. To be fair, the pub waived our drinks bill. To be fair I in return passed a cash tip directly to the young lady behind the bar who was the only staff member with any obvious customer awareness, constantly directing her colleagues. I think we�ll leave it a while before we return.
4 Oct 2009 17:22
Beautiful setting in the Mendips, close to local trails and footpaths. I stayed here for one night with a bunch of friends. Seem to recall 5 or more cask ales on tap and great steaks from locally reared beef. The small but comfortable rooms were recently refurbished, although you had to serve notice to turn around in the minute bathroom. A generous traditional cooked breakfast set the potential hangover to rights.
4 Oct 2009 17:00
We were redirected here from the large modern local at Tangmere (The Bader?) which couldn't provide food due to redecoration (staff were playing pool anyhow!). Boy what a find, mid-week, a lovely sunny day, an old thatched Sussex pub with a large selection of cask ales and above average food. Highly recommended.
4 Oct 2009 16:43
We were self catering in Lynmouth and belatedly discovered on the Friday evening that the local chippies all closed for business at 7:30 pm ! I recalled this pub from a previous visit and dragged our reluctant family into the car and up the long hill from the village. Although a large pub, nearly all the tables were occupied, but the staff managed to squeeze us in. A very chatty bar man and the usual selection of local cask ales made for a promising evening. Very popular with walkers, we felt under qualified in our area of the bar/restaurant as every table but ours had 1 to 2 dogs under it. Long waits for food and bill but very large portions of reasonable pub grub.
4 Oct 2009 16:30
We were staying in the village for 3 nights and of need of a regular watering hole. The Rock House has more the feel of a hotel bar than a pub, but in spite of that had welcoming staff that were friendly, attentive and efficient. Three cask ales were on tap, apologies, I can�t recall the names. We ate here on two of our nights and found the food to be not gastro, but reasonably priced good quality pub grub. Very popular over our late September stay, booking was necessary to guarantee a table. There is also a small a-la-carte hotel restaurant which we opted not to try.
4 Oct 2009 16:19
As we were staying in the village for three nights, my wife and I reconnoitred this pub for our evening meal and spoke to the bar manager. We returned approximately one hour later, with our 19 year old vegetarian daughter, together with our son aged 21. Before we had the chance to speak the slightly patronising manager immediately redirected us all to the only area in the pub bar approved for children. Considering the menu prices, a single vegetarian option would appear outdated and narrow minded. Clearly an upmarket hotel aimed at the affluent second homers and passing tourist trade, not dependent on any loyalty.
4 Oct 2009 16:03
I'd agree with 18 Sept and 26 Apr 2006. Strange pub with very little atmosphere although beer ok. Dull lighting, cold atmosphere, wasted partitioned area behind bar draped in fishnets, perhaps intended for those visiting for weekend assignations. Didn�t eat here so can�t vouch for the food.
4 Oct 2009 15:51
The Fisherman's Arms, Plymouth
Still serving three cask ales. I visited last month together with my family as part of our son�s graduation celebration. An assumed gastro pub with promises above it's abilities. All four meals (including one vegi options) were delivered over engineered with an over sweetened and messed about vegetable accompaniment that appeared to be the same, regardless of the original menu choice. None of us finished our meals. Also very over priced. Adjacent table also complained that they had requested that fish choice should be delivered without any sauces overlay, totally ignored. Landlord last observed outside the pub smoking with the locals.
4 Oct 2009 15:44
Now revamped and renamed THE SHURLOCK, the interior very much reflects the modern �gastro� pub and is nothing like the photo displayed on this web site. The pub has a large garden equipped with plenty of picnic tables, allowing for finer weather (not Summer 2009!).
As it is so very new, we were a little anxious when we visited with friends today, but needlessly. All the staff are very friendly, after being seated the proprietor (?) visited each table to welcome the diners. The only minor gripe is that only two cask ales were on offer, most pubs offer a minimum of three. A very enjoyable lunch at affordable prices, we are looking forward to a return visit. This looks to be a promising start.
15 Aug 2009 16:53
A popular venue for locals. A good range of beers on offer, always with a guest ale. Friendly efficient staff serve the bar and restaurant area. My impression over the years is that food portions may be diminishing, but price hasn�t. However, having experienced a range of pub food from different regions over the past few weeks, I�d vote for atmosphere and quality every time. Too many pubs seem to think that filling the plate with a mess of reheated mediocrity is acceptable. This pub is definitely not one of those.
22 May 2008 18:09
We have been visiting the New Forest for Spring holidays for a number of years but this pub is only a recent discovery. Our return from a local walk on Sunday coincided with the inevitable mid-day surge. Although a large garden, on a hot day all the available tables quickly becoming occupied. Those with an umbrella were in short supply and clearly at a premium. In spite of being busy, we were soon served by the efficient team of staff. We were engaged eating a generous and wholesome Sunday roast in the garden when to our surprise a further plate full of vegi arrived. I�m glad we visited early as after an hour leaving the pub , I returned to the garden. It was crammed out with large groups many who�d commandeered two or more tables
22 May 2008 17:50
Yet another gastro pub, inevitably with a minimal choice of ales. But one worthy of the title. I believe this is one of small chain of inns converted by a local entrepreneur.
We ate here twice during April 2007 and really enjoyed the quality of the meals and the friendly service. We visited the pub again this year during a weeks stay in nearby Brockenhurst and admit this has now become a firm favourite. The food is consistently good and the staff very professional. Highly recommend the steak and ale pudding.
22 May 2008 17:30
My wife had visited this �gastro� pub twice before with a female friend and had enjoyed their meals. She encouraged me to try the place as a birthday treat. Although only three real ales were available, I thought them a reasonable offer for the modest drinker. All of the management and staff were very friendly and welcoming.
When shown to our table I discovered my paper napkin and all the placemats were glued to the table surface due to inadequate cleaning. I was dumfounded by the incredible number of items available from the printed menu. Even more so as the menu is supplemented by even more items on two very full �specials� chalkboards at opposite ends of this gastro-pub. None of the items on either board was duplicated on the other, so a stroll between the two boards was necessary. Unfortunately all three of us were disappointed with our meals. My ham hock was swimming in a flood of sauce, with a mound of mash, which together threatened to pour of the plate at the slightest disturbance. .
Although not a total fan of Gordon Ramsay you can�t help but admire the man�s business acumen and his common sense approach to failing restaurants. An incredibly long menu is one of his big �do not�s�. Unless the place is crammed full every night, perhaps they might consider simplifying the menu and focus on a few strengths of freshly prepared items. A shame as first impressions were good.
22 May 2008 17:01
My wife and I were staying in Brockenhurst . Although this pub was not on the recommended list provided by a friend who is a regular visitor to the area, we thought we would try it for an evening meal.
I should have recognised the warning signs as soon as I entered. The "specials" chalk boards were clearly not updated regularly; the menu items were obviously part of the regular menu. The hot food serving area appeared it was rarely used. A glance through a glass-panelled door in to the kitchen area suggested little activity. My minimal expectations were realised by a half roast chicken that looked and tasted like a late dinner reheated. My wife�s chilli beef (slightly more appetising) had so many chopped red chilli�s with seeds intact that she abandoned it after a sterling effort. My best guess is that in a prominent position next to a busy through route and with a large garden with outdoor heaters, this pub/hotel must depend on passing summer trade. One to avoid in future.
22 May 2008 16:12
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The Boot Inn, Houghton
Apparently under new management since April 2011, this is a lovely pub set in beautiful country side. There is a spacious formal dining room with neatly set oak tables area, offset from the single bar. The new owners have been clearly been making substantial improvements . The bar and restaurant have been refurbished since the previous review, along with immaculate new toilet areas. The car park was in the process of being reconstructed on the day we visited. My overall impression of the interior was light and bright. Cask ales on offer were Palmers Cooper and Flacks Double Drop. We opted for the Palmers which was in good condition. Staff were friendly and attentive. Bar meals and full menu options with food professionally cooked and nicely presented. A mix of clientele, from locals enjoying a lunch time pint out front, to dining groups. Something for everybody here.
16 Sep 2012 16:56