Poacher, Tudeleyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Not a pub so shouldn't be on this site! Booked a Sunday lunch with friends and turned up at 12:05 but at 12:10 we were still standing in the cold because they couldn't be bothered to open the doors despite advertising a 12:00 start. Won't visit again because if that is indicative of their customer service I'd rather be somewhere that cares!
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I recently visited this pub with some friends, ( sorry restaurant ) you cannot call the Poacher pub.
When I ordered a pint, it came with a head over an inch thick, when I asked for it to be topped up, the chap behind the bar said the was the landlords perks, and told his staff not to fill it up, I accepted the pint as I did not whon't to make a fuss as my friends had not yet arrived.
We decided not to have starters and ordered your main meals, what a mistake that was, as the main meals would not feed a dormouse, and was not was discribed on the menu.
If you expept to be fed when you dine out, then I would not recommend you go to the Poacher.
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I've been here quite a bit; latest visit was in October 2010 for a midweek lunch.
The Poacher isn't really a pub at all, it's a restaurant which serves drinks. The interior is smart and glitzy, and though there is a bar you can sit at, most of the space is given over to tables for eating.
I had a decent bowl of game stew with dumplings and a couple of perfectly OK pints. The staff were friendly and efficient. It's all fine but it's not a place where I would ever go with a mate for a few beers. It's somewhere to take your mum for Sunday lunch, or to take a girl who doesn't really like pubs. It's all very clean and smart and characterless.
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Had more names than Elizabeth Taylor but still known locally as the Red Cow.
Large pub .. large car park .. little appeal
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Tremendously up and down, this one.
My wife reports a delicious meal and wine this month (October 2009). But me myself I wouldn't got there: it's not a proper pub (too girly) and there are much better options - esp the Dovecot at Capel, and as of this month, the George and Dragon up the road.
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26 June 2009.
Stay away from here.
This pub was a recent discovery for my wife and I. We have been 3 times since February this year, and dined well on all of these occasions. Tonight was our fourth and it was a disaster.
The previous team have left, not quite sure who is in their place, but it's not working. Everything on the menu is either not on, or not as described - some dishes are completely different to their description. Tonight we had a meal for 4 people. Every single starter and main course was smaller than before, and prepared to a level of cooking that most 9 year old's would be embarrassed by.
Upon complaint, and there we're 3 other tables complaining (no one else in on this friday night...), what I can only assume is a temporary junior manager said that there we're agency chefs in at the moment, they are not familiar with the menu so they cant cook it as per the menu, and that he himself is shortly going to turn the place around with a new menu, with lots of salads, cocktails, etc.
You would have had to be there to understand the lack of conviction he projected.
He also said that the place had become run down, (anyone who has been there recently would have noticed that the decoration is both new and exquisite...) and that the 'old' menu was boring. Well, on the night it was he who was boring as well as a bit out of touch with reality to be saying this to customers who we're there because of the way this place used to be...
Its a shame when good pubs become bad - we've written this one off now. At least the Chaser Inn is not too far and still one of the best food pubs in the land...
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The missus and I tried this on a Monday night. Phone answered in 5 rings when I called up to book, and my reservation was handled politely and deftly.
I'd be hard pressed to call it a pub - it's far more of a restaurant. The owners have worked hard to make the decor look good and there's plenty of space between tables.
We skipped the starter and both ordered the belly pork with a sweet potato and pickled ginger mash. The pork was beautifully cooked - it just fell apart, and the crackling was wonderfully crisp. The mash was good but I found it a bit sweet for my taste - probably just me though. Neither of us realised that vegetables are a side order or we would have ordered some.
For dessert I had cheese and biscuits - pretty good but it's hard to get it wrong - and the missus picked the lime cheesecake which she thoroughly enjoyed.
I didn't find the food overly expensive and soft drinks were very fairly priced.
Service was excellent - the staff were keen, attentive and capable.
The owners have clearly worked hard and it shows in the presentation of the building, staff and food. I'll certainly go again.
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Have to agree that this is not a pub to visit if you want standard pub fare at standard pub prices. But why would you? The makeover of this pub is exquisite. There is a small area dedicated for non-eating visitors or for pre-eating drinks. The decor is fantastic and the staff friendly and well-informed on both food and drink. I have now eaten here five or six times and have never been disappointed. It's not cheap but worth every penny in my opinion. I would highly recommend you visit this pub if you like well-presented, full flavoured food in a contemporary setting.
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Went here years ago when it was called the greedy pig or something and swore I would never return. Imagine my surprise then when I was taken here by a friend and found how much it had changed. Completely unrecognisable in every way! Beer, food and service all excellent - would highly recommend for a family lunch. Excellent stuff.
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