The George, Girton

10 of us turned up here, late on a rainy Sunday lunchtime. There's a restaurant and at the front, and a "sports bar" out the back with a big TV screen, where we sat round a long table. There's also a small garden outside the back of the pub. We felt we were being ignored a bit at first, but things improved and the staff were friendly enough. Food and drink were decent pub fare - maybe not something you'd make a long journey for but quite acceptable, and generous quantities. They apologised for not having the Sunday roast on, but that suited us fine. (Pubs that only do a roast on Sunday really annoy me anyway.)

8 Jul 2008 13:12

The Royal Oak, Bishopstone

Lovely open-plan, wooden-floored pub with friendly staff. Food menu quite limited and a little expensive (restaurant prices), but the quality is superb. The organic meat comes from the farm down the road, which is owned by the same couple who now own the pub. I arranged (at fairly short notice) to take a group of 30 cyclists there for lunch, and the manager was very helpful; the chef even sat down with me and discussed what sort of things we'd like on the menu that day. On the day, the pub's owners turned up to help the staff serve the food and make sure we were all happy. The only downside from my point of view: the draught beer is Arkells. I spent 10 years living in Swindon and as a result I will be quite content if I never taste a pint of 3Bs ever again, but that's just me. Many real ale buffs are great fans of it. Anyway, my pint had been kept well so it was as good as Arkells is likely to get. They do an interesting selection of bottled drinks: I recommmend the organic ginger beer if you like your cold drinks HOT...

4 Oct 2007 12:59

The Hyde Tavern, Winchester

Now a free house, changing its range of beers so fast it's hard to keep up. Has a secret garden out the back. No food, but serves a range of "Classic Snacks of the '70s" - where else can you buy Scampi Fries, Twiglets and Pork Scratchings?

4 Jul 2007 23:25