please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The reviews on Tripadvisor for the restaurant at the Running Mare were very good so we thought we would give it a try. How wrong we were. It was my friend's birthday so we were taking her for a meal which turned out to be very embarrassing due to the quality of the food. There was only one Plaice left on the menu at 8.15pm. So we ordered one plaice and one turbot. The £40 bottle of wine was plonked on the table, no attempt to pour it and let my friend take a sample. No, we had to do it all ourselves. What kind of service is that in a so called restaurant with an expensive bottle of wine? My husband and my friend shared the mussels for starters, they were very small and the cream sauce was awful so it was all left. There was no finger bowl, we had to ask for one. I wish I had taken a magnifying glass to see my turbot. It was no more than three inches square. My friend's plaice was just full of bones, hardly any meat, she couldn't turn it over to eat the other side as it was literally just bones. A fish finger would have had more fish on it. The £3.50 side dish of vegetables was absolutely miniscule. When I complained about the size of the turbot the waitress admitted that she had seen larger turbot. That says it all. No apology, she just went off in a huff saying she would take something of the bill. We didn't see her again. Where were the waiting staff? There weren't any. There was a man behind the bar who eventually cleared our smelly plates. By the way we had to wait an hour for our main course. By the end of this main course, we just wanted to leave, and didn't order a dessert. When this man brought our bill, it wasn't itemised. It was just a total for 'Food' and 'Drinks'. What is going on here? I said my friend's fish was full of bones and he just gave me a dirty look. No apologies throughout the whole meal from him or the waitress who had vanished into thin air. There were no trained staff, just a barman and possibly his wife serving, and a glorified burger chef by the look of things. This is just an old pub that wants to make a fast buck on food, definitely not a professionally run restaurant. Whoever bought this fish should be ashamed of themselves. At no time were we asked if everything was OK, obviously they knew it wasn't. Running Mare? Run a mile. It has taught me a lesson … always try somewhere first before taking friends or relatives.
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Stood at the bar for 10 minutes waiting to be served during a time which wasn't particularly busy (despite a private party at the rear), observed four 'regulars' getting served in front of me. I really despair of pubs like this sometimes. Look at your customers and acknowledge them. Otherwise, passing trade like mine will go elsewhere and your pub will slowly shut down and be turned into flats. In the Running Mare's favour, they were courteous enough to offer the drinks for free after I stormed off and the beer was fine. A mixed result.
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Went there on Sunday - food was overpriced, and we waited 35 minutes for 2 salads (one duck, one cheese). For �10.95 I would've expected a bit more than a few leaves and some sliced duck/cheese. The addition of new potatos on the side felt a bit odd too.
Beer was fine.
5/10 overall, but was fine for just a drink. Would probably go to the Plough (either the one in Stoke or the one in Cobham/Downside) instead next time depending on whether I want.
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A basic boozer located on the outskirts of Cobham. A pokey lounge located around an over large central bar. An average selection of real ales but at above average prices. Seating and decor do not justify the high bar prices.
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Quite like the new paint job - unlike the Plough down the road. Apart from the odd undesirable lurking about the place, a nice place to go. Two of the bar staff, Jack and Joe (I think) should think about a career on the stage...they'd make a good comedy duo....
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Wonderful setting lovely atmosphere staff very helpful especially australian guy who was upbeat and welcoming.Staff were proffessional and the food was great and i will be going back very soon.
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Popped in on the way home on Sunday, saw it almost by accident and had a couple of drinks there , TEA was OK, not the best but not the worst ever. Outside restaurant thing was interesting (Lobster? ). Seemed very friendly although the bar staff looked knackered, more than anything. Generally thought it was good, will wander back when I'm next in the vicinity .
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Seemed like a locals pub despite the restaurant pretentions. Ordinary, Special, Courage Best and Hog's Back TEA which was ok. Beer garden is a patio, what looked like a decent smokers hut is labelled up as restaurant only, strange as no one was in there.
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Agree about the phenomenally rude young women working behind the bar. Surely it's not hard to get more professional staff in this economy?
But the pints are good, the atmosphere is nice and authentic before it gets to crowded, and the mixed grill plate on Sunday is fantastic.
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The Tea was a decent pint. Great atmosphere. Having said that, the whole pub seemed to be spinning whilst I was inside, they should sort that out.
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Described on the outside as 'The Running Mare Restaurant' which doesn't bode (unless what you want is a restaurant) but inside it is a pub. Hogsback TEA was very good. A good situation too on the Tilt which is a small green space.
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A mixed afternoon - probably the most unfriendly bar manager serving the most expensive drinks in surrey �3.85 a pint!
But the food and waitress service were excellent - why oh why do they spoil it by having such miserable people behind the bar?
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A delight, proper unpretentious pub, youngsters dominate the back half and regular Jo's the front. Staff are great, beer could be more interesting but is well kept, food is spot on. No gastro pretentions just lovely.
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Took my familly here yesterday (8 of us - all adults)13/01/08. Nice pub - combined busy bar with good dining. Food was excellent and portions good, about �12/14 for a main course. Pleasant staff. Need to book on Sunday lunch times. Looks to do a lot of outdoor catering when weather permits.
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First visit for 20 years and it was great. Lively atmosphere and good service. Tongham TEA in excellent condition. Food and service was better that in many more expensive restaurants I've been to lately. Certain to go back very soon
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This pub is the canis testes of cobham, all the staff are friendly, the food is perfect and the funny lil polish dudes that work out the back are mint!
keep up the work adrian and co.
anonymous - 9 Oct 2006 16:59 |
This pub is the greatest
yes insider view it is amazing friday nights beat anything. far from being "bog standard"
check out the fit bar staff SERIOUSLY!!!
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Yes, there is a fair number of young 'uns in this one, but no undercurrent of binge-drinking and imminent violence that often accompanies the youthful element. But this is Cobham, after all.
Not a bad offering, a fairly bog-standard small backstreet local. Service was a little bit slow but that's a minor gripe. Worth a try if passing.
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Good at weekends for getting wasted. Plenty of young people doing what young people do!
anonymous - 19 Nov 2005 13:23 |
A lovely little pub - nice ambience inside + good beer garden with lots of outside tables. Pleasant staff & better than average food.
Recommended
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If you sit outside on a warm evening it's easy to imagine you're in Greece (lobster pots, nets and boats hanging from the ceiling). Food is fantastic and service is second to none - recommended for a romantic night out and definately Cobhams best kept secret (although not for much longer)
prickly - 24 Aug 2004 13:38 |
Nice pub, nice location, nothing particularly great or poor. Not a speacial night out and no reason to avoid. It's OK!
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