The Half Moon Inn, Stoke St Mary - pub details
Address: Stoke St Mary, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5BY [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 7075) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Taunton (3.2 miles)
Pub facilities/features:
- Food served
- Outside seating
Are you the Licensee? Click here. ** SPECIAL Royal Summer Sizzler offer! **
> Current user rating: 6.6/10 (rated by 11 users)
other pubs nearby:
Nags Head, Thornfalcon (1.1 miles), Nags Head Tavern, Taunton (1.1 miles), Blackbrook Tavern, Ruishton (1.6 miles), Farmers Inn, West Hatch (1.7 miles), Ruishton Inn, Taunton (1.7 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Half Moon Inn, Stoke St Mary
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 12 shown - see all reviews
| You will see that I posted about this establishment in January 2012. In the knowledge that the pub had changed hands I went there again today with the naïve belief that things must be better. Got that wrong then. Could it possibly be that the same chef is in residence. Ironically, 'Fifty Shades of Grey', has been in the limelight over the last twelve months, but the same would aptly describe my plate to day. Having been told that the steak and mushroom pie had expired overnight I went for the chicken, mushroom and stuffing version, to be served with mash and vegetables. The pie contents was clearly recycled as had been 'nuked' as per food hygiene temperature regs. The shortcrust top had been flashbaked and was consequently uncooked, the mash had been overworked causing a bathing cap style film to form and the vegetables, the bain marie'd stuff from a previous life, perhaps even January 2012! Interestingly, there was a poster for the recruitment of two new chefs for the busy kitchen. 'Must have experience of a fresh food kitchen' the advert stated. Presumably they'll be working elsewhere, or the current chef doesn't know that they are leaving yet. The food being as equally shoddy as 18 months ago, there must be a common factor! Believe me when I say that I don't have a personal issue with this pub. It's still great in a great village but, come on, put some effort in where the food is concerned. tauntonbob - 27 Jun 2013 14:26 |
| Having been many times for lunch and never dissappointed did so again yesterday. On arrival the pub seemed immediately different but couldn't put my finger on it. I was looking forward to the steak and Abbot pie (which could take 40 mins to eat owing to generous portion control) but not to be, sadly. Appear to have stopped selling Abbot also. Ordered the pie of the day......steak and vegetable, served with vegetables?? and mash. Then the penny dropped. Appears to be a new Landlord at the inn, detectable by the fact that he very much to say about the pub's condition on handover. Was heard at one point to question why the previous hosts had such a good business...................well, i'll give you a clue! They didn't use Sunday lunchtimes left over repeatedly 'bain marie'd', and therefore stewed, vegetables 24 hours later at Monday lunchtime. Grey, bitter, tasteless and waterlogged presentation doesn't do much for the rep of the humble brussel sprout. Broccolli much the same and the carrots and 'tinned' peas in the pie probably had the same provenance. In terms of customer relations.........when we left via the back door and walked within three feet of the Landlord he didn't feel it necessary to take a break in his conversation on our exit. A 'thanks very much, please come again' would have been nice. I don't know what type of soulless place the Landlord has overseen before, but a village pub, in a lovely village, needs a bit of 'mine host' interaction. A complete lack of customer care. Bar lady/waitress, who has been there for sometime was very attentive, but she's got an uphill struggle. tauntonbob - 24 Jan 2012 12:25 |
| Large village pub with flagstoned main bar seemingly way out in the countryside but still close to Taunton. Uninspiring choice of beers (Abbot, London Pride plus Butcombe) plus Ashton Press cider. Chose the Abbot which was fine to accompany what was a very good value, well prepared lunchtime carvery. Will call again in the summer to enjoy the views from the large garden. brianagain - 8 Mar 2011 10:40 |
| I guess I qualify in the diners from out of town category, well certainly outside of Somerset. Was taken to The Half Moon by a friend now residing in these parts and was not disappointed. The pub is the sole survivor of three pubs, which Stoke St. Mary possessed at the turn of the century. As mentioned below it�s a fairly large country pub obviously quite extended from its original stone building. But it is well laid out for both drinking and dining, having two central stone floored room areas in front of the bar and then three decent sized dining areas either side of these. The bar supports four real ale hand pumps but only three were going at the time of my visit and these were GK Abbott, Fullers London Pride and Butcombe Bitter. Tried the pride and the Butcombe Bitter and both were in excellent nick. The evening meals were decent quality and substantial so no fault there neither Would return if in the area again. Gann - 18 Oct 2009 19:37 |
| Local pub in small village, so why were all the beers standard brands? Youngs and Butcombe were on offer. Chips were good though brewguru - 9 Oct 2009 13:08 |
see more reviews |
