The Trooper Inn, Froxfield

Excellent pub, which is far nicer on the inside than first impressions from the outside might suggest. 3 of us called in one evening for dinner and enjoyed excellent beer, wine and food. It just happened to be the night where you could have any choice of pie plus pudding for �10, which was excellent value as the pies are excellent! The staff were friendly and efficient, and the surroundings warm and pleasant with lots of interesting photographs, prints and paintings on the walls. Lovely evening and will definitely be paying another visit soon.

3 May 2010 22:28

The Shoulder of Mutton, Hartley Wintney

Nice old pub in a lovely location, tucked away off the main road with ample car parking to the side and well kept garden to the rear. We visited for a family lunch on a bank holiday Monday and found the staff courteous enough (we did catch the barman taking a swig of mineral water directly from a bottle before serving it to another customer, wich did seem strange!) The meals were served promptly with generous portions of meat but were let down by the soft and soggy roast potatoes and vegetables. The keg beers were OK but the two real ales on tap (TEA and Bombardier) both had a slightly chemical taste. The barman replaced the beer when we mentioned it to him, but the second pint was not much better. The pub was less than half full on a sunny bank holiday, which perhaps suggests that both food and ale could be better.

3 May 2010 22:20