please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A nice location but expensive beer. The real ale range is good. The food is slow but pretty decent, but could be improved. 8/10
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A nice location but expensive beer. The real ale range is good. The food is slow but pretty decent, but could be improved. 8/10
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Pretty big country pub, that overlooks the village green.
I went here with my sister and her friend. The food was ok.
Looks like a traditional pub with beamed ceiling, stone floors and wood burner.
There is also a red phonebox in the pub. I bet its a great place in the summer.
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Decent pub in a nice location with a view over the green, friendly staff. Good beer range. Recommended.
PhilR - 27 Jul 2013 11:04 |
I see that a while ago that this place was getting some bad reviews. Not sure if they've retrained or hired new staff, but I've been there three times in the last couple of months but it all sounds a far cry from what I've experienced. The thing about the dangerous locals guarding the bar seems to be a myth; every member of staff we've encountered are chirpy as you like and very helpful (not sure if they really know their wines but every suggestion thus far has been a hit with with the lady); and the food is outstanding. Considering it is always heaving and we've only just managed to nab a table on each of our visits the dinners have arrived quickly and perfectly cooked. Lamb roast has been the winner so far. I've been sticking to lager which is something like four quid for a Becks, which coming from West London seems like a normal price to me. We thought about having our wedding reception at KFC but have opted to have it at the Parrot now.
AdamM - 21 May 2012 13:47 |
Went there Saturday night had a steak that was incredible. Service has improved since last visit and was most impressive. Will be returning, well done the Parrot.
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a nice country pub with good beers, although the largers are expensive, the most impressive thing is the produce they and sell
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This is a nice, friendly country pub. It has a changing range of beers, which are generally well kept, courteous bar staff and a pleasant bar area that are worth the trip alone but the main reason people come here is for its restaurant with very good food, made from excellent produce, and wines to match. Its unstuffy decor and ambience are equally as good as the food. The let down is the service: it's courteous enough but disorganised almost to the point of being chaotic. It needs to improve if the Parrot is to get a reputation that its produce and cooking truly deserve.
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Stopped off for lunch whilst walking in the area and was very impressed: good range of ales, the food was delicious and some of it produced on their own farm locally. Would definitely return if I was in the area again.
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Actually, it seems that the barman/landlord I encountered who was such a laugh was killed in an accident not long after...
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Have to say, having been here a couple of times (though not recently) that I always found the food and service to be good. Charming landlord and landlady, much food produced on-site by them off their smallholding, landlord has converted his car to run on chip oil from the kitchens to try to be environmental etc. Quite interesting and slightly oddball people. Lovely building, good atmosphere, but I don't recall anything being outstanding as such. Can't understand the negativity of certain reviews here. I'd guess a 6 or 7 out of 10 for me, but won't score it officially.
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Location good but thats where it ends service poor, food about average, beer not bad.
As for having a wedding here i`d rather hold it in KFC or McDonalds.
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Hey Fullbelly we have friends that love this pub and held their wedding there so had no option to go back BUT as much as we enjoyed their day, the same problems are still apparent. So please do not make me out to be a malicious person. I hate this pub because it can not get the balance right and the staff are unprofessional. I have been to 6 weddings there and each time the day is fraught with problems. I also know some of the locals and have experienced aggressive behaviour between them and against outsiders drinking in the pub . Come to the pubs around Rusper and see the difference
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lolo a year ago you said on this site that you would never go back to this pub. What made you change your mind??was it the rave reviews by Irene and south london kid??
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I really hate this pub, overpriced food and drink. The service is totally crap. The only saving grace is that it's a lovely building
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It does seem a little suspicious, both southlondonkid and Irene joined up to this site within an hour of each other, both raved about the pub and plugged everything going....it will be intersting to see other comments they may post if ever again! I notice that the rating also went up! The last time I tried to eat here we were turned away at 2pm because they said the kitchen had been too busy earlier and the chef needed a break! This was however over two years ago, and with the slowdown they may have improved their service.Beer was ok but not a great choice given the amazing brewers on the doorstep!
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My wife and I visited The Parrott for the first time today for Sunday lunch and will certainly return. Parking was easy and we found it to be an attractive, well run country pub, with a welcoming, atmosphere and helpful, friendly staff. Although the pub was well patronised and most of the tables taken, we got a table immediately placed our order there and then, with none of the long delays and queuing that we do often encounter at other gastro pubs at Sunday lunchtimes. We both ordered roast beef, which was excellent. The beef was tender, the roasted squash was delicious, and the Savoy cabbage was perfect (and not overcooked, which can often be its fate in pubs). There is a shop within the pub where you can buy produce from the farm and other local suppliers. We bought eggs and a large freshly baked loaf of bread. Next time we'll probably their home-made pies. There can't be many other pubs where so much of the food comes from the owners' farm.
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I went to this pub for Sunday lunch today with my wife & two friends. We were served promptly, ordered food which arrived within the sort of time that properly cooked food takes (not three minutes for 'ping' food. The service was fine and the staff did a great job. The shop was brilliant and we took some purchases away with us! Some of the reviews on here seem to have been written when the family were going throught great stress and a bit of sensitivity would have been nice. This is a great pub and yes, it is a bit pricey, but good food costs. We'll be back, our friends will be back and we hope the scuzzy northerners won't!
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10 Quid for 3 drinks does seem quite pricey - given one of them was a soft drink. Lovely location but not the most exciting beer range, Youngs ordinary, Courage best and Ringwood Old Thumper. However the food was nice, if also expensive. Nice interior, you pay extra for a good pub sometimes.
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AS I'm from Yorkshire where we have really great gastropubs (not what we call them) the bar is pretty high. Today at a Summer Friday lunchtime we rocked up. Husband never does fish but loves it here and my lamb was the best I've had. Service good given the number of people, and also bearing in mind it's cooked from fresh food and meal turned up when expected. No noisy clientele despite being next to a yummy mummy table. Bought a loaf in the shop. Hate cheese sandwiches but this bread demands it and I ate every crumb despite my lovely lunch.
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'inattentive staff - staff who engage the customer - the customer is treated witth utter contempt - being ignored and taken for granted'
These comments of BKB would seem to suggest that he wants to be greeted and chatted on arrival; well run/busy pubs rarely have the time for this, these days.
Charles Gotto (the late great and friendly publican who won the Evening Standard Pub of the Year more than once!) built up a fine business at The Parrott (with his family) with virtually all the ingredients supplied from his own farm, nearby.
Sucessful pubs will have some off days/meals; but these are rare at The Parrotts- evidenced by awards coming soon after the Gotto familly arrival.
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markinky, do you think that rude, inattentive staff add to the atmosphere? Is it not conceivable that you can have a busy, warm atmosphere as well as staff who engage the customer, care about the customer and are interested in the customer's experience?
The Parrott is an absolutely appalling place where the customer is treated with utter contempt. And no, the food is not freshly prepared, at least not all of it. As I mentioned in my inital review, we were served yorkshire puddings straight out of a packet, unless of course the chef has mastered the art of making them all of identical shape, size and texture.
I returned recently only for a drink (I would never eat there again) with friends who wanted to go. All four of us agreed that we will never return, you can't even have a drink without being ignored and taken for granted. The only positive thing I can say about the experience is that I got the feeling a good number of the staff knew exactly how appalling the service was - they just couldn't be bothered doing anything about it.
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Knew Charlie Gotto well and drank in all his splendid London pubs - the Alma & the Ship in Wandsworth; Coopers Arms in Chelsea and one in Battersea who's name escapes me. Always admired what he did - some of you will no doubt think it a bit too gastro - but his beer, wine and food were always good. Thought he went a bit too far with this pub - it started to resemble a Harvester-come-rural theme park but without people with innovative ideas & gumption, even more pubs would be closing. A loss to the trade.
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Markinky, I have been to this pub many times since I have lived in England (7 years) and can totally understand the reasoning behind the positive and negative comments posted on this site. Yes the owner sadly died recently in a horrific accident but there have been problems at this pub for a long time. I have been to 2 wedding receptions, bought from the farm shop, eaten in the restaurant and drank in the bar. The restaurant food is lovely but extremely overpriced and the wedding receptions were both fraught with service problems. The bar is probably the biggest problem, there is never enough staff and people have to wait a very long time to be served. Yes the locals keep the place going in the winter and yes there was an invasion of out of towners with their vouchers who can't park and expect the bar staff to serve them the minute they arrive at the bar. However, I have been one of the people that has been there many times in the winter months and I was ignored on most occasions by the bar staff. The only times I was served without problems was when our local friends stand at the bar with us. It is a country pub so you will encounter the 'shooting and 4X4 brigade' who want a drink in their local and too right. If you want to drink in a country pub then you have to accept that the locals work in the countryside.
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I find it hard to believe (as many people have already posted) that some can judge a place on a visit that sometimes lasts less than 20 mins.
Yes the service can be slow, yes the staff can be stressed and hassled (not excusing rude however), yes the clientele may be noisy, yes it may be difficult to get to the bar at times and finally yes that person may be YOU. But let me ask you this, would you rather walk into a pub that's empty, with no atmosphere, serves food that is purchased out of a packet and beer that resembles cold dish water? I for one would would rather frequent (although not regularly unfortunately) a Public House such as The Parrot.
Lets get a few points across, ALL the food is freshly prepared - fact. The 'noisy clientele' are hard working people who enjoy relaxing after a hard day/weeks work, their language may be ripe at times but i do know that it would only take a simple request for decorum and they'd oblige, they are all local(ish) guys and girls who are proud of their local pub and would be horrified to think it has indifferent reports such as those listed. ps I'm not a regular!!!
This is a pub that has grown in stature and respect over the past 5 years and it should be remembered that you can't please all the people all the time.
The Parrot deserves a 2nd chance every day of the week and for those reading reports before visiting, GO, enjoy the atmosphere, take your dog, go for a walk up beautiful Leith Hill and then go enjoy a pint or glass of Vino not to mention a view of the meat, pies and other such wonderful homemade, homegrown produce you can eat in the bar or restaurant (or take home for that matter!)
Don't be put off comments that don't paint a full picture of a wonderful drinking and eating place.
Try it, you won't be disappointed.
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sad news but the service here was unfriendly on previous visit.. forgive and forget and enjoy the fine location good guinness and all
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Not that I would condone poor service, but the owner of the pub (who also owned the farm from which most of the the meat comes) was killed in a tragic accident last week. I suspect the bar staff were in shock.
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Avoid if customer service means anything to you. We headed to this pub on good authority about the location, food and the farm shop. Unfortunately we left soon after arriving having been insulted by a member of staff in the Farm Shop. It was around midday on Saturday and the pub was far from busy yet this member of staff was so intent on filling his chiller with produce to sell that he made it perfectly clear to all customers around him that everybody was in his way. It was so obvious that other members of staff also noticed. He muttered insults and pushed his way in front of us whilst we were trying to see what was on offer. He was so insulting I felt I had to confront him (not something I would usually do) but he even then he just ignored me, fuelling my anger that somebody was getting away with treating his customers in such an appalling manner. Other members of staff just looked startled. We said we were leaving and departed with no member of staff trying to persuade us to say.
This pub may excel on location and, from what I hear food, but it has absolutely no respect for the customer and smacked of just wanting to grab your money. We were looking forward to spending some time there yet I left very quickly vowing never to return. This was the most despicable level of customer service you could ever expect to receive, especially from an establishment which sets itself up as offering so much more.
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must be one of the owners younger children!
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As someone that has worked in the pub its very difficult to try and serve everyone, especially when you dont move at the speed of light lack eight arms and 400 people+ come on a sunday for lunch and expect to be served the second they walk into the door. most people have their meal and are never seen again but take time out to write somthing awful on the internet based on one bad experience how sad is that if youve got nothing nice to say dont say anything at all. and the way everyone complains about the locals as if they are the scourge of the earth hardly... at least they dont click fingers at the staff whistle at them or lean over the bar in fort of people that were there before them. they spend more money in there than anyone and they definatley dont get special treatment we might know what drinks there going to have in advance but that about it . the parrot does great food with an ever changing menu which has somthing on it for everyone and granted the beer is slightly expensive but where isnt especially when you get that quality of food with your drink its a good pub.
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Speaking as being one of the loud mouthed shooting locals with a 4x4 having drunk the pub for the last 20 years. I do agree with the service of the bar staff being slow and the management being temperamental. I have never had a bad pint served.
As for the loacls hogging the bar - that wouldnt be so if the stools werent removed on a Sunday to allow non-locals to order a bottle of wine and a meal over a bar that is designed to serve drinks!!
Remember: Its the locals that keep the light bulbs alight and the fire burning in the winter months, when the pub is not full of people with two for �5 meals ripped out of the Times, who park their cars in the car park like Stevie Wonder!!
Regards to the shooting crowd, its us that provide the game for the pies and dishes to help the pub achieve their michelin stars and has won the Inter-Village Shooting Challenge for the last four years.
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awful place food expensive and very slow management so rude definately not a place to have a family lunch ( used to be so nice and friendly ) full of loud shooting men terrible language heard all the time never ever go back again
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Funny barman there when visited over a year ago. I like the area of this pub
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Ha ha fullbelly well said. This pub has a really horrible atmosphere and the management is extremely poor. My friend was looking at having her wedding there this year and she loved it on paper. We took her & her partner there for a drink and she soon changed her mind when she experienced reality. We waited over 20 minutes for a drink as the bar staff served regulars and ignored everyone else. There were many complaints that afternoon especially from people wanting a pre-lunch drink.
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or having a good laugh...... Dr Rioja read Dead Parrot
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must be the owner
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Good. Good food, good staff, good ale, good setting. Good.
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Went there with an open mind in January 2010 considering the average reviews. I have to say that I agree with the majority of the negative comments. The bar staff ignore people at the bar, the ale was not the best and the cider was off. The bar staff were extremely rude when we returned the cider. We had booked a table in the restaurant 4 weeks before but they had no record of our booking which is strange as they rang to confirm a few days before.
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The Parrot could be goldmine but sadly not a good pub. The staff are rude & indifferent to people waiting at the bar. The Stowford Press was disgusting as was the guest ale which was cloudy and sour. The food was extremely disappointing considering the price. I agree with properpubover that the food was incredibly salty and I honestly do not know how they have achieved a Michelin star. I agree with the problems with the locals not allowing people get to the bar. We gave it another chance after such a bad evening with a local called Trace or Lace who started a fight in the bar. Just don't expect this behaviour from a pub that has a Michelin star. Personally I would never go back
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went hear about a month ago, having heard that they had a Michelin star. Good points: perfect location, beautiful setting overlooking village cricket pitch, good space inside and out, real ale was fine. The food, however, was merely good, certainly not excellent. 2 of the 5 dishes were WAY too salty. Overall i'm VERY surprised that this place got a Michelin star. All the food sounds good on the menu, but doesn't live up to it's own description. Back to the Stephan Langton i go. Anyone would think they were paying me, but i just can't find a better pub to eat in locally, and they keep beer well as well. The Parrot just needs to try a bit harder.
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Have been there twice now in the last couple of months, both times on gorgeous sunny days and with it's idyllic country setting this pub is perfect for nice weather. Plenty of outside seating and a good size car park. Both times the pub has been very busy but even so the staff were very efficient and friendly. The food has been excellent. Can't comment on the ale as it's not my thing but the Stowford Press was lovely
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Fantastic little country retreat, but gets very busy, inside and out !
Restaurant seems to serve some fantastic dishes, but quite pricey.
Pub also has a small deli area inside selling home made breads, pies and locally produced meats.
Good range of drinks available including a personal favourite - Addlestones cider.
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Pleasent enough pub with reasonable food especially on a warm summer's night. Excellent pint of Ringwood
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real let down, no atmosphere and certainly no managerial presence.
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This pub has one of the best positions in Surrey, on a beautiful village green with lovely hills in the background. It has been tidied up and has stone flags on the floor, low beams, anyway I'm sure you get the picture. So why is it so bleeding dull? Perhaps it is the Godawful choice of beers. Ringwoods and Youngs! This is an area where there is some great local beers. And the service can be dreadful with bar staff disappearing for no reason at all. A kick up the backside is needed.
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Disappointed with this place. Went on a Friday evening and full of rich types in 4x4 cars with loud exaggerated false laughs. Quaint old fashioned layout inside with it's low beams mean there is no escape. Offspring of one of the aforementioned types being sick in the front garden whilst sat at her table, much to everyone's hilarity (including hers), was probably the lowlight of the evening. Did have a pie in here, before above incident, which was very good, if a little overpriced. Butcher's shop inside was nice touch. Staff seemed to be overseas students. Bit of a shame really. Think if you changed the clientele, this would be a really nice place. (PS may be just me being naive and coming from a town, but was quoted �25 for a 1 mile cab ride. Stupidly dark roads to walk down. So take your 4x4)
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I live a few miles from The Parrot but it's where I go if I'm hungry and I fancy something slightly more interesting than Ye Traditional Pubbe Grubbe.
Before I get to the food, the bar itself is in classic country pub style with stone floors, an open fire and many walkers with dogs. There's a good atmosphere but the bar can seem really cramped. That's just a reflection of how extraordinarily busy it normally is - I got there very early one day and was amazed at how large the place looked! As for the beers, the bitters (listed elsewhere in these reviews) seem very well kept. A friend of mine questioned the quality of a pint of lager on one occasion and it was replaced immediately and with profuse apologies.
As previous reviews have mentioned, the landlord owns a local farm and the produce from the farm features heavily on the menu and in the pub's farm shop. The food is, 95% of the time, extremely good. There are enough basic meals on the menu to keep the faddy or traditionalist punters happy, but there are always plenty of more unusual options. This week I had an oxtail and tongue stew that was truly excellent.
The only caveat I would give to anyone planning to go to The Parrot is this: prices for main courses are very fair (�9 - �14ish) especially for the quality. But the price of some of the extras is, frankly, ridiculous: �6 for a tiny plate of cheese and biscuits and a similar amount for some very small starters.
In a nutshell, drink the bitter then have just a main course and possibly a dessert. You'll be glad you did.
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Slightly gourmet styled, but food great (We had Roast lamb and Butterbean Pie). Very popular on a Sunday as you would expect. Jug of water nice touch with meal. No problems with the Ringwood .
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Too bad BKB had a bad time in January. My wife and I visited for the first time today (recommended in the Good Pub Guide) and we were delighted with the ambience, attentive and pleasant staff, excellent light lunch of home-made soup, enormous beef sandwich and hamburger and fine ales. We enjoyed Ringwood Best, Youngs Best and Old Hookey. The pub was busy, but everything was working smoothly. The food was delivered quickly.
We then looked in at the butcher's shop between the bar and the restaurant. We were amazed at the good value of the stewing steak, the mutton (called "hoggart" because it's not quite mutton and not quite lamb) and the cassoulet. We bought a nice selection from a really friendly young butcher who really knows his stuff and obviously enjoys looking after his customers. (We learned that he and the three bar ladies are all siblings).
I rate this pub highly because we were looked after professionally and left feeling well fed and watered, happy and content. We are committed to return as soon as possible.
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Visited at the end of a walk, stone floor so ok with boots. Ordinary, Spitfire and Ringwood Best and Old Thumper and they also had Licher Weizen. Perfectly reasonable pub and people I was with bought stuff from the farm shop which is worth a look.
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Despite the pub being opened up to accomodate more people it has some real character. Liked the integrated butchers shop selling some excellent local produce. Food was very good being made from local produce and the staff serving were very friendly. Will go back again with some friends in tow.
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Forgot to mention one more thing that really grated - my wife and I both noticed that all the yorkshire puddings were the exact same size! Funny that, it's almost as if they couldn't be bothered to make their own and just served you some they bought from a shop.
Imagine that, �12.50 for a roast dinner with yorkshires they bought pre-made and re-heated for you. This place is pure class!
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We went for Sunday lunch and came away very disappointed. Beautiful building but it was very crowded and the staff either overworked or indifferent. It took 2 hours to be served a roast lunch. We had to ask for our drinks two times, and both the starter and roast lunches were so late that we had to ask again at the bar. The food was also poor. Roast beef was overcooked and my daughter's roast pork consisted mostly of fat. When I pointed this out to a staff member she said 'that's not very good' - then disappeared. No apology, no offer to remove it from my bill.
If you like overcrowding, overpriced, over cooked food delivered at a snail's pace by indifferent, unhelpful staff - then The Parrot Inn is for you.
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I have know this pub for a very long time, in fact the first time I went there it was really very small and when the front door and the back door were open in the summer the swallows (or were they house martins?) flew in and out: I promise you it is true!
It was a good pub then and, unusually, it has stayed a good pub ever since. Everything you read praising this place is true - go and judge for yourself- though be prepared for it not being a small pub today, it's big but it's not lost its charm!
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We took the opportunity for a return visit to eat today. It was busy but the staff were keen and happy, despite the date! Our chicken and leek pie was superb and cost �10. Young's was �3 a pint. If a Harvester pub was tacky reproduction furniture, then this place is a beautiful old grandfather clock in fine working order!
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An impressively large and unspoilt country pub situated on the village green. Many rooms, nooks and crannies. Ideal for intimate company or a large group. We didn't eat on this first visit but it looked great
Country produce shop situated within includes a butcher and fresh local meat. Ales well kept and good choice too. Roaring fire and K6 phone box inside also add to the charm. A return visit is planned!
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Nicely located on a pretty village green.
Superb food with all the meat from their own farm - so it's local and extremely good.
There's a deli within the pub.
Beer well kept, friendly helpful staff. (especially the ozzie fella)
Good atmosphere. Dog friendly as well
This must be the perfect country pub?
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Returned on Sunday - and as usual was impressed by this place. it does get busy but the food is good quality and local, there's an excellent and well kept beer selection and I have never found any service problems as reported by others. From reviews thsi seems to be a love it or hate it kind of place....and I love it.
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Beer - good selection and well kept. Very busy pub with friendly helpful staff. Had a snack outside. Very good & will be returning to try the restaurant.
Well worth a visit but could be overly busy in the summer.
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Good country pub. Gets quite packed out on a Sunday but plenty of tables outside. Not too long a wait for food.
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Been to this pub many times and agree with the negative comments about the staff and regulars. The wine is extremely expensive and not that great. I have also been to functions which have not always been great, beware if you are seated in the conservatory during winter as it's freezing in there. Food is overpriced. There are far better pubs offering good reasonably priced food, a warm welcome and friendly service in Surrey.
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Great pub, dog friendly great for the kids, nice fires and amazing food.
The beer is kept in wooden casks on the back shelf .
I cannot say anything more about this place, it is fantastic.
Make sure you have a driver
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Just returned from an awful evening at this pub. After forcing our way through the wall of locals at the bar we managed to get to our restaurant table. We were given a tiny table right next to the plate and cutlery cupboard which the staff accessed throughout our meal, opening and slamming the doors. When we asked if we could be moved we were told that the remaining tables would fill shortly - they didn't. It seems insane to put all of the two seater tables in the middle of a room next to the staff thoroughfare - it hardly makes for a romantic evening. To be fair, the starters were good and my salad seemed very fresh but the lamb I had for my main course was disappointing as the very thick bisto tasting gravy overwhelmed the dish. My partner said his steak was very good though. The little deli they have has a good range of foods and the produce looked very tempting but it is extremely overpriced. Overall...we couldn't wait to leave.
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Been here twice in quick succession, once for a Friday lunch and again for a late Sunday pint. Found the staff very pleasant and helpful.
The range of beers is good and they are well kept, tried both Ringwood and Young's.
The food was excellent, had the Lamb ad=nd Corriander burger which was obviously home made and very well presented.
With regards to the 'shop', as someone else said it's right for the area, you don't have to buy.
The locals can be a bit 'up themselves' and see the place as their own rather than welcoming strangers. Can't hold that against the landlord though.
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How I agree that the staff of this pub let it down. Been there so many times with local friends but always walk out saying I will never go back. Yes the locals do dominate the bar and get priority. I know most of them but it still gets my goat when they will not ake way for people waiting for a drink. I have also been to four functions there and the service is completely different. The food and deli are extremely overpriced. This pub really lacks something.... oops character and customer service
anonymous - 14 Oct 2007 20:59 |
This pub has a lot to commend it. It is in a lovely setting and has a great choice of real ales, and the food is very good. For warm, summer evenings the garden seating is excellent, and, in winter, the inside is quite cosy. In my book it would rate at least a 9.5/10 if it were not let down by the service. There seems to be absolutely no urgency in serving customers and at times there even appears to be no-one behind the bar. The bar can be difficult to approach, with drinkers sitting/standing at it, and then you have to order food at another location. The other evening (mid-week) I queued for 20 mins to order food, only to be told that they had suspended food for ten minutes. They wouldn't take my order but told me to come back. When I did return after 10 mins I was told they were still not taking food orders, and it took two more return visits before I could order. Sadly, this was not a one-off experience of poor service. There definitely seems to be a problem of under-staffing or un-focussed serving. Shame, because as I said before, this has the makings of an excellent country pub. (There is also a restaurant, but I have not eaten in it.)
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I just don't get why this pub gets bad reviews. I was there for Sunday lunch. I found the staff very likeable and friendly, the food always impresses. The pub has an "artisan charcuterie" because it's in that part of Surrey when lots of the pub visitors (not me though)can afford it (look at cars in car park) and use it . So why not? If you don't want to buy from the deli, then don't. It's a good pub serving great local food and excellent beer. It couldn't be further removed from a Harvester
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This pub could have been great, but it isn't. Who thought that in a quiet country pub artisan charcuterie is needed? Like the others have said, the staff are rude and bereft of enthusiasm and happiness and really do put a downer on every visit so needless to say i dont go there anymore. Try to imagine a Harvester with nothing happening and you have got it, the food is good but it ought to be to make up for the poor performance of the staff.
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Sorry to all that think that this pub is good, a small deli and shooting on a Sunday can not redeem this pub. Go regularly as friends live in village and have not had a good night in months. There is always a problem with the food and/or service. Bar staff are rude and ignore people waiting to be served. Do not agree with the reference to the interior looking like a Berni Inn as the beams are original.
anonymous - 31 Aug 2007 22:16 |
ok pub nothing special could do with new staff happy ones
anonymous - 31 Jul 2007 17:03 |
Wonderful pub. Excellent well kept beer and first class food, NO its nothing like a Berni Inn (what a silly comment, clearly from one who has never eaten here)Four of us enjoyed faultless service and its own little shop selling some great grub and even English wine! Full of great character and not an ounce of plastic!! The way all pubs should be if they are to survive. A boozer with a touch of class.
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Bit of a miserable pub. Another pub where the makeover has destroyed its atmosphere. Bit like a Harvester or a Berni now. It used to have a great atmosphere. A drunk fell off his chair onto a table with a family trying to eat. Luckily the fire alarm went off (for ages), the staff laughed as we made a very quick exit holding our ears !
anonymous - 24 Jul 2007 12:47 |
Bit of a miserable pub. Another pub where the makeover has destroyed its atmosphere. Bit like a Harvester or a Berni now. It used to have a great atmosphere. A drunk fell off his chair onto a table with a family trying to eat. Luckily the fire alarm went off (for ages), the staff laughed as we made a very quick exit holding our ears !
anonymous - 24 Jul 2007 12:46 |
strongly disagree about last view on this pub .first visit last w end never go back so rude and definately not a pub for families
anonymous - 6 Jul 2007 15:35 |
Can only assume that none of this pub�s many happy and satisfied customers have visited BITE recently. We got married here last month (no unhappy tears and they couldn�t have worked harder to make our day perfect) and have visited on numerous occasions; have always come away happy and well fed. Food is great; beer always spot on (and good variety); decent wine list too. Have always found staff friendly and helpful- yes it gets very busy sometimes but in our experience they cope with it well. The full car park speaks for itself- and it�s a country pub not an A-road carvery so be realistic about parking. With kids- there�s tonnes of room to play on the green and the restaurant is kid-suitable and away from the bar if it�s raining. As with the car park, it would be daft to expect a 'kiddies corner' in a place like this. Only criticism I could possibly come up with is that it can be a bit sloaney- but they can�t choose the customers attracted by a very decent pub.
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Extensively modernised but in reasonable taste. Very wide range of beers, nice Ringwood Best and Thumper plus several others and worth the trip just for that. Staff made to look like dickheads with those silly floor length aprons they have to wear, so no wonder they're a bit standoffish. Smokers' tent.
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went to meet friends l nite (old locals)what a drab miserable place no atmosphere staff look bored .(so sad has always had a great name for years} ralph would turn in his grave if he saw the change
anonymous - 22 Jun 2007 15:11 |
wheres the pooltable music nice bar food and the old pub gone?what a real shame trying to make into rest not interested in pub local side like a morgue in there no atmosphere at all wont go back.
anonymous - 22 Jun 2007 15:05 |
ok pub.they just need to cheer up a bit .food very up and down (but very pricey )
anonymous - 22 Jun 2007 14:58 |
)food average drinks v expensive staff slow.would be better if glasses were cleared from our table (we were there 2 hrs and table or ashtray not cleared once.)the table next to us cleared there own.
anonymous - 18 Jun 2007 23:39 |
first visit for ages what a miserable lot of staff.some sort of car club meeting so no where sensible to park sat outside to cars revving and racing up and down the road.definately not recommended.(feel v sorry for the locals i would not want to live there)
anonymous - 13 Jun 2007 16:18 |
Once a year, the cricket team I play for play against Forest Green Estonia across the road from The Parrot and we always used to have lunch in the pub beforehand; however, the food has now become so expensive for what you get, we've knocked it on the head. We do tend to have a beer there, but having visited recently, the price of this is also becoming extortionate - �3.10 for a pint of bitter!!!! It was well kept, though, but still a ridiculous price.
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We had our wedding reception here, and unlike a lot of the other reviews here - we found it completely brilliant. Linda was an attentive and calm hostess, the staff were all friendly, the food was absoloutely exceptional (and is from their farm just down the road) and the beer is marvellous too. We've been here many times since and have never been disappointed. A proper, modern, village pub.
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do not recommend .not kid friendly (kids garden been removed)staff need manners . if you have time to hang al day waitin 2 b served this is the pub 4 u.carpark like a race track .overall awful place such a shame
anonymous - 31 May 2007 12:01 |
we have been here several times and the standard is very up and down...i would go only for a lunch, and be careful what you order....the veg was very strange...squash!!!!
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lovely village lovely pub but what has happened to the old local pub that it was?feels more like a london pub to us?we used to live in the village many years ago how it has changed. service slow staff rude and kid friendly r u sure about that?the last time we went and it will b the last it was full of yuppies staggering around kids dont need 2 c that sort of behaviour during a meal.
anonymous - 22 May 2007 14:52 |
A big old pub on a village green. Plenty of room inside and out. Nice pints of Ringwood and Youngs on. Food is a bit pretentious and rather expensive: all nouvelle cuisine and no chips. Could have usefully done with larger portions!
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Glad to see this pub has improved as we went 3 times in November and December for celebrations. Based on the service we received we really wouldn't rate this pub and haven't been back since. The bar staff were nothing sort of obnoxious and ignored customers waiting at a busy bar. The manager sat at the table beside us with some of the staff and made really derogatory comments about customers in the restaurant and bar. Not a pleasant welcome given by staff on all 3 occasions and they totally ruined a friends wedding reception by their really poor customer service. I sincerely hope they feel utterly ashamed at making a bride cry on her wedding day through their appalling behaviour.
anonymous - 19 Feb 2007 20:13 |
This place is pretty much perfect. Set in lovely countryside but easily accessible, there is even a cricket green available whilst having spit-roasted lamb outside from their own farm! It is cosy in both decor and atmosphere - lots of low antediluvian wooden ceilings, ancient brickwork, comfortable old seats and a good range of beers and wines. Then, you add into the mix a very, very nice restaaurant with excellent foodie grub and you only need great staff to make it work - and they are. Smiling friendly, not altogether horrible to look at either!! The chef even came out after our dinner with two cheese plates and spent five minutes with us explaining what the cheeses were! They even have their own farm shop in the pub. Only problem? Food stops at 3pm as far as lunch is concerned. If that's the only complaint I have - I can live with it.
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went to this pub today for sunday lunch, great food and friendly staff.
anonymous - 4 Feb 2007 19:24 |
Well worth seeking out - this is as good as it gets (for Surrey). Peaceful location on the edge of one of the largest village greens that you have ever seen, decent beer, good nibbles on the bar, and relatively reasonable prices...
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Had great food and wine on Friday eve. Good pub!!
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The staff are really friendly, they go out of their way to help you or to supply you with what you want. Food is wonderful, great selection and good spit roasts at the weekend. A real country pub, does get busy. Lovely area and location. Some really good ales from local breweries - so good that we are getting married there in August! Plus, they have a fantastic farm shop within the pub.
Would Recommened this pub to anyone
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Excellent pub with a good range of beers. Loads of room and great garden. Staff are friendly. A really nice welcoming pub - recommended
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On visits on Saturday lunch times the food and beer has always been good. Good location. Good interior. Good staff. So in summary ... good!
anonymous - 24 Mar 2006 15:57 |
Have been going here for years and years. Its a beatiful pub and new owners have greatly improved the menu. Good selection of beer and great location. Not easy to get home from though! Been busier of late.
anonymous - 9 Mar 2006 12:01 |
Still one of my favourites - now serving an even better choice of ales; Landlord, Youngs, Spitfire, Huffkin and Batemans Valiant from the cask too.
Well done, top pub.
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Les the land lord is a nice bloke great food and they even threw in a band on St. Patricks day this year and they rocked up the old classics like wild rover dirty old town and even take me up to monto this is the kind of pub to come to if your fed up with the bull**t of an overated overpriced London pub you just cant buy this kind of atmosphere in EC1 or WC1 so the Parrot Inn is priceless
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Fantastic location overlooking the green and with views of the North Downs.
Plenty of outside and inside seating.
Now serving a good range of ales -Youngs, Golden Zest, Fortyniner and TEA.
Food is improving and now serve specials based on locally produce meat.
Bar staff friendly and welcoming.
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