The Pineapple, Brimpton Common

I have got to say, on the strengh of some fairly pedestrian and overpriced lunchtime menus I had avoided this pub for Sunday Roasts. However, on arrival last week (early July 07) myself and four guests were served roast dinner of impeccable quality. 4 Lamb and 1 Beef roasts were served up with home made (crispy)potatoes, home made Yorkshire Pudding, roasted mediterranean vegetables, and lovely tasting and textured gravy. Also you could just about manage the amount of very nice meat. Washed downwith an expensive but excellent Riojca, an excellent lunch priced at I think �7.95 for the roast, well done all!

17 Jul 2007 13:54

The Old Bell, Grazeley Green

Arrived around 6pm to have a Sunday roast. Pleasantly suprised by the nice decor considering it is set next to a Travelodge. Previous comment agreed with about the tab situation, we put the staff into a spin by saying we wanted to pay cash, we had to pay up front and immediately. Staff claimed this was stop people running without paying, this would of been difficult with the staff out numbering the clientelle by at least two to one! Very pleasant waitress brought starters which although slightly pricey (this is no gastro pub), were very nice and had a home prepared if not home made appearance and taste. The roast dinners however did not match the starters and there were a number of problems. My wife beef both fatty, gristly and almost no lean, we were told that this was often the case with this cut of meat! So dont buy this cut was my advice. It was exchanged without fuss but of course my wifes arrived nearly at the time of my finishing my meal. The vegetables were the wrong side of al-dente and were as hard as nails and arranged as if in a flower arrangement, not nice for a meal! The roast potatoes were not crisp but soft and swimming in fat. As for the mash potato!? Who puts mash on a roast? Very strange and very unsatisfactory for a roast dinner at nearly 8 quid.
Puddings were nice if standard "out of the box and microwave till boiling variety". Overall for the price fairly poor but with a little effort could improve immensely.

5 Jul 2007 12:59

The Plough, Little London

Returned to this pub last week, took some friends from London thinking they would like the look of it, we all absolutely loved it. Landlord I assume was Terry couldnt have been more friendly, smiles all round from the locals and the Thatchers cider - fantastic. If you want a real pub this is it, if you want anything else, go to B&Q and build one.....
NB Not a foodie pub though nice looking baguettes were available..

30 May 2007 11:40