BITE user comments - Dsnell
Comments by Dsnell
Based on a recommendation we tried this well known local pub after having had a look at their web site, and the comments here. The bar was buzzing with a mixture of people of all ages, whilst the restaurant was a few tables and chairs in what was a sparsely decorated bar room. The menu looked very appetizing and we ordered the Venison at around �16.00 per course including vegetables. The waiting staff were very attentive and very friendly.
When our meals arrived we were absolutely incredulous at the portion sizes. The venison were slices of meat approximately the size and dimensions of a medium sized pork sausage, the red cabbage portion was twice the size of my thumbnail, the mushroom dumpling was 2/3 size of a golf ball, and the parsnip puree, was tiny measuring about 1/8th of an inch wide by � of an inch long. On the plus side the food, what there was of it, was well prepared and very tasty. We complained to the manager who explained that it was a new venture and that they were still experimenting. We were offered a complimentary lemon tart for the dessert, as we had complained, which was delicious.
All in all the food was well cooked but the management need to take a reality check on portion size and whether what they are providing is value for money, which in my view as explained it was not.
I do not like pubs or restaurants which serve huge portions but I would be prepared to give the Bee another chance in the future but only if the portion sizes are increased to make one�s meal good value for money.
20 Sep 2008 11:16
Returned here after an absece of 9 months. It looks really good after the refurbishment and is under new management. The menu has changed significantly with more emphasis on plain wholesome cooking. I had a delicious lamb steak, my wife had calves liver, and our friends had sausage and mash and swordfish. All was pleasantly served without too much of a wait.
Two of us had puddings and the whole meal altogether was less than �80 before the tip.
The pub and restaurant were packed on Friday night a sure sign of a succesful hostelry.
On the whole a verygood experience and happy to return in the future.
6 Jun 2008 22:28
Visited yesterday - very pleasant location and good efficient service. Unfortunately we had to send the food back because it was served very lukewarm. Such a pity and hope the management spot these comments.
29 May 2008 23:07
Went there for lunch recently and was pleasantly surprised. There was 6 of us and it took awhile before the food arrived. However what was clear was that it was all cooked to order. My chicken and mushroom pie served in an individual dish was well cooked and ver tasty, and differed from many other pub restaurants in that this was a real pie and not a casserole with puff pastry dumped on the top. All our group enjoyed their meals which were not over priced (mine was �9.95). I spoke to the staff afterwards about the improvement in cuisine and was told that although this was a M&B chain pub it was now a tenancy and that all the food was freshly prepared.
Well prepared food at an affordable price in a pleasant setting was my opinion.
16 Apr 2008 23:13
We were not disappointed with our second visit to this hostelry which consists of very pleasant �olde worlde� restaurant, a small bar and saloon area. We chose to eat in the bar area. After our order had been taken we were served with fresh bread and pat of butter served in its own bowl which I thought was a nice touch and unusual in a pub restaurant.
We chose fish pie and duck breast with orange sauce, and one summer pudding between two of us. For drinks we ordered, a soft drink, pint of beer and large glass of red wine. The total bill was �38.00 for the two us without the tip, which we thought was value for money. The waitress service was very good and attentive throughout the meal.
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and will no doubt return again.
13 Oct 2007 14:42
Tried this pub for the first time on a Friday evening in late September. Following the recent negative comments we were a little apprehensive. The restaurant was very spacious, comfortable and with a good choice on the menu. We were impressed with the service which was very attentive. We very much enjoyed the food and at �35.00 with drinks included we thought this good value for money. All in all a good experience and we will definitely return again.
7 Oct 2007 14:10
Having been an occasional diner at this pub for at least the last 10 years I was disappointed to see that the folks in the previous post had a poor experience. Sometimes otherwise good establishments get it wrong ( in this case big time). We had dinner here last Friday in the bar (now smoke free) where we ordered Steak and Kidney Pudding and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb. I enjoyed a pint of T.E.A. (Hogsback Brewery Traditional English Ale) whilst my wife had a soft drink.
The service was prompt and food of very good quality. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meal again. The cost of the meal including a large glass of house red wine plus the drinks mentioned was around �35.00 before the tip, not the cheapest but in our opinion good value for money in a very pleasant atmosphere.
In recent years the pub has been recently refurbished and extended. There is a huge garden with childrens� playground and newly built restaurant annexe, also a large car park. We will continue to return to this favoured hostelry and hope that the reported unfortunate bad service was a one-off hiccup.
24 Sep 2007 21:07
The Surrey Cricketers, Windlesham
Recently ate here and was presently surprised. I had a Beef Stir Fry and my wife chose Liver and Bacon. Meals took a time to arrive but it was a Friday evening. The quality of the food was good and we will definitely go again. There was no separate restaurant but there was plenty of room and a good friendly atmosphere in the bar. There were at least four staff on duty behind the bar making for quick service of drinks. Good car parking facilities and a large garden
16 Sep 2007 16:50
Over the past few weeks we have had dinner on 3 occasions here and have thoroughly enjoyed each visit. The restaurant is quite atmostspheric and rustic and the staff very pleasant. Last time I enjoyed Lamb Shank whilst my wife also enjoyed Salmon Fishcakes. What is quite innovative here is that they offer modest portions on part of their main menu at a reduced price. The prices here are reasonable for Surrey averaging out at about �12 to �15 per head for a main course with a glass of something. Definitely on my list for regular visits.
11 Sep 2007 22:52
This is a well maintined very professionally run establishment. There is ample car parking and a very large garden. The restaurant which is in a separate area leading off the main bar is very well furnished and decorated. What we liked was the linen tablecloths and napkins - unusual I would have thought?. I thoroughly enjoyed Beef Stroganoff and Shank of Lamb recently, and the portions are good but not overbearing. Overall the service was excellent As far a cost, I would it is middle of the road - 2 main courses and drinks was less than �35.00.
Excellent freshly cooked food and good value for money in my book
1 Sep 2007 12:43
The Tudor Arms, Slimbridge
We stayed at this pub as we were visiting the WWT at Slimbridge. The accommodation was absolutely superb. For instance the bathroom fittings were Villeroy and Boch, which are top of the range by anybody's standard. We had a well positioned flat screen tele. The bed linen was clearly very expensive and comfortable. In the the room there was an armchair and 2-seat sofa. There was a huge amount of hanging space and a large chest of drawers. There was tea and coffee making facilities plus biscuits. This room was as good as any decent city hotel. There was a a lot attention to modern health and safety with obvious fire doors fitted strategically. I defy anyone to fault the quality of the accommodation. The staff were extremely customer orientated. The food was not gourmet and not did not set out to be. It provided us with just wholesome reasonably priced pub food. The pub was buzzing with people and it clearly had a good client base. I was impressed by the cleanliness of toilets in the main pub. There ware half a dozen different areas in which to eat. We enjoyed hearty English breakfasts in the conservatory. The prices for staying there were vere very reasobale. We paid �150.00 fore 2 nights bed and breakfast. The location of the hotel on Sharpness - Gloucester canal was quite idyllic. This is a fantastic traditional, no nonsense pub and a credit to the owners and well justified of its honour given to it by CAMRA as the best pub in the county 2009
30 Nov 2010 22:55