please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Very disappointing experience. The quality and quantity of the food was poor for the price and the service was very slow.
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I visited the Alice Lisle yesterday early evening with my wife and our two young children. We used to visit this pub frequently several years ago (before it became a Fullers pub) and always enjoyed the service and food and as we were in the area we thought we would drop in for dinner and a drink. It was relatively early on a Sunday evening, around 5:30 p.m., but we were a little surprised that the pub wasn't busier considering it was a Bank Holiday weekend. The staff were courteous and polite and when asked informed us that there were no specials or roasts, offered no explanation, and informed us that all food was as per the menu. The menu looked a little pricey but as we had always enjoyed the food before we ordered cheese and tomato pizzas off of the childrens menu plus a side of chips, and my wife and I decied to share the Smokehouse Board. Before our food arrived a lady at a table adajcent to us complained to a staff member about her steak being all fat and gristle and inedible - she was offered another but declined and it was taken off of the bill. Our food duly arrived and to be fair it was exactly as the menu had stated but did not live up to our expectation. The childrens cheese and tomato pizza (�5.00) was indeed small, made from normal heddar ccheese, covered with halves of cherry tomotoes, and made with what we think was tomoto puree. The side of chips (�3.00) was the equivalent of a large mug full, nice chips but too expensive!, and the Smokehouse Board (which was a cold platter) looked totally unappetizing; to give you some idea the sausage was cold and aneamic, the gherkins - well one gherkin sliced in half, the cellery sticks - well ends of cellery that looked like they had been sat around for some time, and as for the chef's piccalilli! Finished drinks, ate what we could, paid the bill, were not asked if we had enjoyed the food or if everything was alright, incorrectly charged, queried bill, established that others' drinks had been put onto our tab, credited back the difference, staff memeber (perhaps Manager) kept calling me mate, left having parted with �35.00! In summary good place for a drink and for kids to enjoy the play area but will never consider eating there again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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We visited the Alice Lisle for the first time and was welcomed very politely,
We were seated quickly, It has a nice atmosphere. Having looked at the menu and specials board we placed our order, while we were waiting a couple on the next table had called the waiter over to complain about the amount of oil on the plate from fish and chips which the explanation was the chef had not drained it long enough!
Our order arrived promptly only to find the Fish was very greasy also.
We had the whitebait and chips which were the best ever but missing any Garnish it looked a bit bare. Also a Smoked platter which was well presented and enjoyed, my biggest gripe was my order of stuffed Lamb steak from the specials board which consisted of cauliflower Lamb steak piped mash and gravy the plate looked very grey and unappetising but tasted better than it looked, desserts were ok but expensive, I will probably never return. I did find the waiter almost to polite for a pub. To sum it up a bit over priced and try to get a bit fancy for a pub and failing.
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This is a good 'Forest' pub. Now that Fullers have sorted it out it is so much better than before. You can still get a very good pint of Gales HSB, even if it is brewed by Fullers!! Recommended for the family I would say. 7/10
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WOW What an improvement from the last time i visited. It seems fullers have got there heads screwed on finally. i went there on saturday and had the best pub meal i have ever had in the forest. The new managers were very friendly, and the staff in general were very helpful. The new menu is a delight and i can't wait to return to sample more of the dish's.
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18th century former School became a pub in 1960s taking its name from local Dame Alice Lisle who was last woman beheaded in England in 1685 for harbouring 2 fugitives from Battle of Sedgemoor. Idyllic pub with large green out front + New Forest ponies. Large beer garden seats 450 & Rest/conservatory 180. Rt hand bar for drinkers has lost its basic character, 2 Fullers Beers + Butcombe. Lt hand eating bar is very cosy. Although in remote Forest area it�s hugely popular with families and very busy in summer. Locals give it a miss at weekends. Reviewed 30/01/09 by SADCATS on Tour! Score - 7.
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I think the peacock that used to roam the garden has been retired. In the past, I've seen several kids chasing it trying it around trying to get some tail feathers and it was in a very sorry state the last time I saw it.
Great pub for the summer months. Is absolutely rammed at the weekends. Sells Ringwood ales (lovely). The food is reasonably good too.
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Definitely a pub to go to if you've got kids and the weather is good.
It's nothing special but the landlord does magic shows for children in the garden, it has a decent size garden, including a 'no kids' area (that is largely ignored as an instruction), and a kids play area with climbing frames etc. pleasant views, average beer, average wine, average food and average prices.
Parking can be a bit cramped as it always attracts large numbers of families so usually full.
Mildly off the beaten track, seems to be popular with campers.
So you've got that yes? When it's a pub experience you want, don't go here on a Sunday in the summer.
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fantastic pub,foods ok,staff need to learn how to smile,probably the best beer garden in the area,still havent seen the peacock,maybe one of the chefs put it in a pie!excelent place well worth a visit.
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Great pub that serves good food. Often busy with the occasional queue - an indication of it's popularity. Relaxing to sit outside overlooking the lake - a bonus if there's a lovely sunset like there was this evening.
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It is quite true that this pub is primarily devoted to the family-friendly restaurant business (although you can escape to a fairly chilled-out bar with sofas and a pool table). Since Fullers took over Gales a couple of the old Gales brews have been replaced with Fuller's London Pride and Blonde, but apart from that I've not (yet) noticed any major differences (by the way, Ringwood Best is available as well as the Fullers stuff). John (the landlord) is always friendly , chatty, hands-on and very customer-focused (and seems to get on with his staff), and by and large the other staff are also friendly and helpful. The menu is varied - yes, some of it is the "standard microwave lasagnes and stuff", but to be honest when you look at how busy the pub gets on a summer's day that is understandable (this pub is at its best when visited "off-season"). There are always specials of some sort or another, usually including local venison and fish offerings. Specials are always presented in a manner befitting a restaurant, and helpings are pretty good. I think that the Alice Lisle provides a very good service to locals and the tourists alike - quality food at pub prices, nice atmosphere, decent beers and wines, lovely location. I live only a mile from this pub and have rarely had cause to complain.
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What a fabulous location for this pub. The beer garden overlooking the lake is a joy. In another part many kids were seen enjoying the play area and the avairy. This looks like a real family pub. Sampled Gales HSB, which was on top form, although getting served was quite another matter. The menu offered a good choice and I pondered for some time before deciding that the tariff was a little steep. However other diners were clearly enjoying their well presented meals in the light and airy resturant extension. A watering hole to while away the summer afternoons!
anonymous - 3 Jul 2006 02:24 |
yep all coments are correct ish, the only problem is the food, but then its not bad considering there are nearly a dozen microwaves sat in the kitchen,the pub doesn't seem to hire good chefs cooking good food anymore, its more like microwave operators following instructions.
if its good old fashioned grub cooked the real way your after, then head up to the red shoot or the royal oak for a meal.
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Nice to know there's so many people who won't be going back. That means that those of us who think this is a good pub will no longer have to queue! Seriously, I've never had a problem with queues, and it's lovely to sit outside in the summer and take in the sunshine and peacefulness.
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Well Im really suprised this has a few negative comments
We went there yesturday and it was great, wonderful food, staff were very good, even when it was so busy. We hadent booked and had to wait ten minutes while the kids played in the adventure playground (no cuts or brusies and a large sign indictating parental responsiblity for children). The landlord came and got us when our table was ready... And the food arrived after 15 minutes.... all very nice and well priced.
We will be back for more ..... and then a walk in the forest to walk off the large portions
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Why did I go back here? Thought from the previous comment things had changed, so I took the family only to discover that things hadn't changed and it was still under the same management.
The childrens play area is a health hazard, and when I highlighted to a member of staff about the cut on my little girls leg from the climbing frame, they accused me of not looking after her properly!
This is in a lovely location but needs to be owned/run by decent friendly people who care about their customers.
anonymous - 19 Oct 2005 14:25 |
The perfect New Forest pub. Nice garden with open area in front grazed by ponies and a lake behind. Very child friendly. This pub sells real food as well as real ale.
One not to miss if in the Ringwood area!
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This pub used to be good now the manageress is just rude and is not interested in customer feedback or smiling.. DONT GO!!, you have to queue for everything and it isn't worth waiting for!
anonymous - 20 Jun 2005 18:47 |
Excellent food, large portions, not too expensive and served very quickly, (we did go early at 5.50pm. Plenty of other children there, so ours felt happy and we were so pleased to find a decent place to eat at February half-term.
anonymous - 18 Feb 2005 20:05 |
Excellent pub with really good food (very large portions) and ale. The staff are always polite, friendly and helpful. I've never had a problem with queues but it does get very busy during the summer.
John - 18 Oct 2004 12:29 |
We visit this pub regularly for a meal. Always get good food and is in a super location with a play area for the kids. There is also a child free area. A pint of Alice Lisle is worth the trip on its own.
John L - 7 Aug 2004 18:17 |
We have visited this pub on several occasions. Food is excellent and worth the wait as it is fresh and not 'Microwaved' Caters for families and drinkers (over 18's bar seperate) lovely big garden complete with aviary of Cockatiels and finches etc.also one noisey peacock on th roof!Staff polite and helpful. Tina: last visit 15th May 2004.
T.Retberg - 20 May 2004 21:30 |
You do have to wait a long time for food and the queues build up. But with the high quality and generous portions, it's worth the wait. Wash down the food with a pint of 'Alice' (3.5%). Caters well for kids - especially on Sundays.
Alan Baker - 24 Apr 2004 18:37 |
I enjoyed my visit at the alice lisle over xmas. The waitresses were polite and friendly and the manager was very chatty. Infact he was very funny which made the evening more enjoyable. The food was a little basic on the menu but the specials board made up for that. The food was well presented and the desserts very tasty! I will definatly be going back to this pub in the future.
Jodie - 5 Jan 2004 11:08 |
I was disappointed in the Lisle. I had to queue 4 times to order main course, desserts, drinks and pay the bill. Each time it took 25 mins to queue. The food was basic. Why do we have to have sausages and mash and liver on the menu? The manager was not very understanding when I commented that I was exhausted queuing and it spoilt the evening. Don't go there.
June Heayes - 13 Sep 2003 15:53 |
Paid my first visit for many a long year and was disappointed. As my mate said 'this used to be a drinkers pub'. Now, the focus is firmly on the family with most of the pub space given over to those wishing to eat although there was a bar that was closed when we visited. Strangely enough, the menu isn't that extensive. At least the Gales Ales are well looked after and there was a peacock strutting around outside.
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