Drusillas Inn, Hortonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We have just had a meal at Drusillas and I must say it was fantastic, faultless, quickly served with with great service. To be honest the menu won't be the cheapest you could find in a pub/restaurant (although there are specials on weekdays) but you only get what you pay for. We both had the local Ham, eggs and hand prepared chips (I asked for a salad instead of chips) and the quality of the food was outstanding. House red by the glass starts at �3.50 for 250ml which is an average price to pay I would say. Dogs are allowed in the Pub bar which has a lovely cosy feel...there is a round room and a garden room for eating, one is table service only. There are three menus, in the day you can get a bar snack, then there is a chalkboard for specials and the bar menu and finally the main menu. I will be returning very soon to try the local steak. As a regular user of local village pubs this one is right up there for service, food and service.
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Visited Drusilla's for lunch over the May 09 B/H weekend for lunch with my family of 5. First impressions; nice lunch menu if not a little pricey for lunch, we all ordered a cheese ploughman�s at just under �8.00 each.
After a 30 minute wait the food presented was very disappointing and extremely poor value for money.
Our ploughman�s was presented on a small wood chopping board that consisted of a small salad garnish (which was just lettuce), one pickled onion, 2 slices of cheese, 3 very thin slices of ciabatta bread and a tablespoon of chutney- all for �8.00. The menu stated salad, cheese, fruit, crusty bread, and pickles!
On complaining we were presented with a one platter of what appeared to be bagged salad, 5 slices of cheese, 1 tomato, 1 apple, a small bunch of grapes and a basket of bread (all for 5 persons). The fruit was not washed and the apple was not cored and still had its sticker on it.
I don't leave reviews but I�m leaving a review for this pub as our lunch was an expensive rip-off- the owner and chef should be ashamed.
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Difficult to know what to make of 'Drusilla's' at the moment. Is it a restaurant that thinks it's a pub, or a pub that would like to be a restaurant?
The cask ale is usually good, the lager always seems to include one that is a little out of the ordinary, but in both cases the choice is limited.
The menu looks interesting, there is a specials board, and the reports I hear of the food fall into the 'I enjoyed that but it was pricy', category.
The landlord and his staff are friendly and efficient, at least in the late afternoon and evening.
My rating 6, based on three recent visits, all I'm afraid when it was quiet.
A promising pub, I look forward to getting to know it better.
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Not been here for a very long time (late 70's/early 80's) So have missed out on all the fun and games with previous owners (heard the horror stories though) I really enjoyed it, great food and not that expensive by todays standards, great beer and the staff were all really pleasant
Nurke - 24 Jul 2007 11:25 |
very pleasant welcome, unfortunately although three hand pumps no beer ready to serve?
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Me and my group of friends used to visit this pub most days until late 2005 when it was taken over by the current managers. It used to have a reslly good atmosphere but now all the bar games have gone, no juke box and the pub pool team weren't even told the tables were being removed. it goes to show how someone who has no idea about the area or how to run a pub can ruin a good thing in a mater of weeks. Try the horton inn for a much nicer atmosphere and better food!
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Four of us revisited this pub yesterday. One of us had sirloin steak, which was pretty tough. There was no reduction in the bill, as most of it had been ploughed through! The tartare sauce was presented as a Coleman's jar with a teaspoon in it. The other three meals were reasonably well prepared.
The staff were very friendly (although the chef (unseen) seems to have the last word). The beer was excellent, Brakspears Bitter and Brain's Gold - rather a long way from home!
I do agree with the previous comment, they need to make up their mind as to whether this is a pub or a restaurant. All the tables were dressed for eating. Also the public bar/games room was closed for refurbishment into a lounge bar. I will return later and report back!
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The new owners really need to decide what they want to do with this establishment - are they going to remain a pub with a restaurant area or become a restaurant with a small bar. At present they are clearly leaning towards becoming a restaurant but unfortunately not very well.
We dined there on a Friday evening and the place was over half empty. Despite this we were restricted to a small table for two even though there were several larger tables in better positions that remained free all evening.
The food was very average with several poor points. The whitebait starter was served with a chilli sauce,but no bread and butter or role were offered. The main courses came with vegetables that had clearly been microwaved for too long. When I asked for some mustard to accompany my steak I was presented with a jar of Colemans and a teaspoon. We had to ask for cutlery to eat our main course as this had obviously been cleared with our starters and not replaced.
This part of Dorset is blessed with several pubs offering better value for money and higher quality food. The new owners need to take heed of the local competition. We will not be returning.
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We went there yesterday evening to celebrate my birthday. The owner has only recently taken over. We had a lovely meal,with plenty of choice, and the food was lovely. The owner is also very pleasant, and helpful too. We shall definately return.We shall recommend this pub to our friends.
anonymous - 9 Feb 2006 13:01 |
Its a good pub with good beer and food. It even has Ringwood bitter which is rare even round Ringwood. Couple of pool tables and a juke bow. locals are freindly Good for a laugh with a few mates
anonymous - 3 May 2005 16:21 |
There is nothing to dislike about Drusillas, and I think that is the problem, there is nothing really to like about it. Like it's sister pub (the High Post at Lynwood) the food is strangely tastless and sounds better on the menu than it does on the palate. However, unlike the High Post, the location is nothing to write home about, unless you are obsessed with looking at the Horton Tower.
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I happen to like it! A comfortable longe bar with a real fire and a charming restaurant at the front, with a large public bar to the rear. A very good menu (tho the roasts could be hotter. Why do pubs serve hot meals on cold plates?) Good Ringwood Best, Fortyniner and Draught Bass on handpump and really friendly staff make this a great pub.
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It has a biggish car park, childrens play area in a quiet garden at the back. The bar is quiet too, and rather uninteresting. The lounge bar is more of a restaurant and a bit uninspiring.
Can't imagine when I shall next the place.
anonymous - 8 Sep 2004 00:04 |
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