Bold Forester, Sarisbury Greenback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Large pub set back from the A27. This looks quite appealing from outside, so I have been curious to stop for a while. We popped in today, and the interior is pleasant, with wood all around. The bulk of the interior is dining area, though there is a pub corner to the right as you enter. Stained glass partitions and comfy leather armchairs give a cosy ambiance. Four casks on offer - main national brands, though a Ringwood and Gales HSB are among those, so there is some local feel.
We quite liked it, though felt it lacked authenticity and character. A wall consisting of book shelf wallpaper rather than real books gives the flavour of the place.
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Well ho hum, well- I guess it could well be the best food in the UK considering how bad the food on this island is, but as I didn't sample it then I cannot judge. It appears that this pub is privatley owned but has all the image of the pub giants- crass furnshings and horse brasses, a drunken mix of different decor styles etc- you know the thing. The beer was ok though and there were a choice of three ales- no complaints there. Monolithic expanse of a souless place however, staffed by kids, nothing new in the UK. It scores a three for the fact that bizarrely, it has a taxpayer-funded sign next to the bar awarding a certificate for a SAFE PUB. I thought I had seen it all in this country, but that is the end- I was almost tempted to start a fight to tarnish its record- how can it be now that pubs are going to be graded on the percentage possibility on being glassed? Foreigners cannot believe it when they see stuff like this. To top it all, in the gents toilet, you can buy PHEREMONE WIPES- I kid you not.....what sort of an experience is this? You REALLY want to eat there?
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We had our Christmas do there on Thursday and it was a great choice after all, I would surly recommend it to all groups!Good value for money, no waiting, fresh food and everyone found their favourite dish, even vegetarians. Great service, friendly staff, the place seemed to be very busy when we were there! Must try the chicken fajitas when you go!
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We go to The Bold Forester regularly and love it! The food is exceptional, decor is lovely and cosy, and the staff are very attentive and friendly. It's also very reasonably priced and has great special offers.
We recently took friends who were visiting from Australia. Our friend is very into cooking and food and is always picky about restaurants. He had Thai red prawn curry and said it was the best food he had tasted in the UK and is going back next time he's in the UK!
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Headed down to The Bold Forester on friday for a low key dinner with friend...and wasn't at all dissapointed. Great atmosphere and we were still able to hold a conversation without having to shout over background music! Our waitresses were helpful and friendly. Most importantly the food was fantastic, I had a fillet steak that was cooked perfectly and my friend's cheese board was very well stocked! A lovely dinner followed by the opportunity to hang around finishing our wine feeling under no pressure to clear off... Definitely worth a visit.5 stars!
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I am not usually inclined to post on these review websites, but after seeing the previous reviews I thought I would, as they appear to be very unjust!
My Experience of the Bold Forester was great, cracking food, plenty of real ales to choose from, and good efficient friendly staff.
I have been back since my first visit a few weeks ago, I have also recommended to friends, who like me were very impressed.
If you are looking for generous portion sizes, tasty home cooked style food, and a warm atmosphere...this pub is just the ticket.
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Had one of my worst lunchtime experiences today. What was supposed to be a pleasant summers afternoon in the beer garden turned out to be a joke.
Bar staff with an attidude........
real ale that was undrinkable, swapped to Guinness and was presented with a pint with a 2 inch head.
Glasses and food not getting cleared in the garden for well over an hour so everyone was pestered by wasps.
Once food ordered then informed they had run out of chips.
No tomato sauce for kids meals.
Poorly cooked and presenten meals....tut tut.
Would definately not recommend this pub to anyone
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Food- orientated pub with the sort of Harvester-style corporate interior designed my a management team with profit margins in mind. Most tables reserved for diners, so don't go just for a drink. Four real ales - the 49er was well kept but served through a sparkler. Had a brie & bacon baguette which was enormous and good value at �5.50 but let down by the poor quality bread.Clearly very popular and presumably aimed at those who put portion size above quality. Won't be going back, but I'm sure it will appeal to many.
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I had roast Sunday lunch here yesterday and wish I hadn't. The service was awful and they didn't seem interested when we complained about the food.
I don't think there could be anything more wrong with the food;
for �8 we were given:
Chicken: cold and overcooked
Roast potatoes: some hot, some cold, rubbery.
Carrots: tasteless and obviously from frozen
broccoli: warm in the middle, freezing on the outside
parsnip: 1 tasteless cold parsnip quarter
mangetout: from frozen and bland
mashed swede: cold and watery.
Very little gravy.
I thought that the days of microwaved food were over, ovbiously not. Please, please, please, avoid like the plague and don't be foooled by how busy it is, I am positive they are not repeat customers.
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This used to be a pub that served food, now it's a restaurant that (also) serves beer to people who don't want to eat. Not good beer selection, very expensive, very limited drinking area and very noisy "canned" music. As a drinker, "No thanks."
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I would like to reference the previous comment from Paulybaker. I posted in Feb 2008 a rather scathing report about this establishment. I can assure you that I posted a full and frank experience of my night out at the bold forester, I live locally but I am certainly not a local competitor.
From your posting it seems you are happy with the food & service, perhaps your expectations are slightly different to mine, or perhaps I could accuse you of working/managing the bold forester, just as you accused everyone who posted negative comments about the pub.
At the end of the day, this is an open forum where everyone is entitled to place their experience of each pub/restaurant, which then provides a balanced view for future patrons.
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I am completely astounded by some of the comments below, they seem to me to be incredibly unfair, if not made up (local competitors maybe)!
The Bold Forester is without question the best pub of its type within a very large radius. Over the last five years I have visited this place with my family on numerous occasion, for small get togethers and also large parties. I have always been delighted with both the quality of food and the service recieved.
I have recommended to many friends and family, and had not once ever heard of anyone of them complain, well except for the fact the portions are to big (which is by no means a bad thing)!!!!!
I love the garden in the summer, equally the place in the winter is cosy and welcoming!
Anybody put off by some of the comments dont be, The Bold Forester is a great place to visit, and if you do I recommend the Fajitas!
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Hi every one one i have just been in the bold forester for a birthday party they was 20 people for lunch and the chefs couldnt even get the food out hot on speaking to everyone most of my family had a bad meal.So i spoke to the owner my phone and she treated crap
This is not the sort of place to eat in if you are looking for a good pub meal
I would never go back and will tell eveyone what i think
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Went to The Bold Forester for my a birthday meal, went late sunday when it was almost empty, waited 45 mins for starters that came out late, burnt or not at all. Mains came over an hour later and were for the price tiny, burnt and a steak and ale pie having no meat in it at all, but the landlord said that it's just how the pies are made, and no apology was given
Then we asked for some more drinks, they said they would be over shortly, 25mins later no sign of them and when we went and asked again we got a nice snap back of "okay i'm coming".
If this wasnt bad enough after ordering 6 desserts and waiting 45 minutes for these, they were stone cold and still had to ask 7 times for some of them. And one of them never came and when asked again they told us they sold out, but never told us.
We then pulled the manager, to tell how bad the 3 hour meal had been, but was snapped at saying it wasnt her fault, that the kitchen staff let us down. But would not accept that as the manager did not take responsibility.
It seems that our experience seems so common, but it used to be a lovely restuarant.
To sum up, my nans birthday meal was completely ruined, and just left everyone is anger.
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we are regular cutomers and usual stick to our favourite meal. so once again we decided to eat at our local bold forester, but was very upset when our meal was no where near the standard it usally is,. we didint really eat any of it and after a fairly long wait for someone to come and clear our plates away, we expressed that we was not satified with the meal. we got a sorry from the waitress, no offer of a free pudding, drink or even money off the bill. This in my opion is poor customer service and a shame that two regular customers will not be spending money there again or recommending the bold forester to our friends and family like we have done in the past.
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I agree with the comments on poor service and price. I was invited to a group booking, at 7.30pm. The starter eventually turned up at 9.10pm!! There was only two staff on to serve, and they were delivering main courses before some people got their starters. We had to pre-order our meals weeks in advance, but on the night was told they'd run out of my choice and I had to change. Not impressed. The food was nice but service so abysmal I won't be returning.
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I can not believe the last couple of reviews because they have obviously been going to a different pub than I have. The food is fantastic and very well priced, the service is great, wonderful atmosphere and a friendly welcome. I thouroughly recommend a visit to this establishment. Never had a bad night out. Thankyou Bold Forester.
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The last review was the most accurate, really indifferent
food, very overpriced, really slow and sullen service. We waited 45 minutes for our meal, it really was not worth it. Bizarrely, this pub is always busy, but I don't understand why! The Landlord and his wife really are miserable and inhospitable (except to their cronies).
We went there against my better judgement as we had a bad experience there last time,but thought we'd give it another try. Bad call, we should have gone to the Talisman, it's always very nice there!
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Sullen waiting staff who are not interested in taking your order properly ie how you would like your steak done...would you like any dressings etc. Owner/manager not interested in anything about service other than service provided to friends. Ok food, if you like the sound of a microwave....I cook better meals at home. Asked for the bill, no-one came to take credit card for payment for 30 mins when I finally went to pay the opinion of owner was that regulars knew that you needed to go to the till to pay! Haven't been here for two years because of poor service....good to see that they are sticking to their usual low standards....plenty of better places locally for service and food...won't be back until someone sorts the food and service!
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Landlord can be a miserable git, but I like the bar and the beers, esp Ringwood 49er.
anonymous - 13 Nov 2007 16:13 |
Good Atmosphere and surrondings, the bar persons are greatg and the food is even better, thats good well done lanlord
pete hull - 10 Jun 2004 19:49 |
Fantastic pub. a very warm and realxed atmosphere with a wide range of ales and lagers. Food, well waht can I say; Fantastic - well priced with generous portions. From the landlords to the bar staff they are all friendly and polite, a real pleasure when in this pub. Strongly reccommended.
Adam - 20 Feb 2004 02:44 |
One of my favourite pub-style restaurants. Great quality food, generous portions, warm and welcoming staff and environment, and all for reasonable prices.
Jod Olden - 15 Feb 2004 11:41 |
The food is good and served in large portions (yes). The pub concentrates on food, providing 20 tables that are pretty much fully booked eaach night. The bar however has only 5 tables but serves a good range of ales (HSB, 49er, Bass) and largers (Stella, Heineken, XXXX) plus a range of Hartridges soft drinks. Plus I work there so at the very least it's got that going for it!! To scummerise: Good food, reasonable bar and average prices.
Rob - 3 Dec 2003 11:13 |
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