The Moon & Sixpence, Hanwell

Nice setting and surroundings but inside the moon & sixpence is rather sterile and soul less. The staff, except for the cheery head waiter, looked bored and seemed disinterested. They weren't very attentive either. Nobody checked to ensure we were enjoying our meals or that everything was ok.
The restaurant was set nicely but the food was expensive for what it was. Also not much choice for vegetarians or fish eaters on the menu (only 2 fish dishes). We waited ages for our starters even though the restaurant wasn't particularly busy when we arrived.
Several of our dishes had ingredients missing or not as they were advertised on the menu. For example the vegetarian salad should have had feta cheese; there was none, sundried tomatoes; replaced by chopped cherry toms and roasted peppers; they were raw. One of the mains, sweet potato and mushroom stroganoff had no sweet pot in it but loads of peppers and onions (not advertised on the menu). The sauce was thin, like the consistancy of single cream and the accompanying vegetables weren't served in a seperate dish as is normal practice but appeared to have been thrown randomly onto the plate which made it look like the dish had been assembled by a 5 year old.
Have heard the bar menu is good so might give that a go next time we're in the area but won't go out of my way to go here again.

20 Aug 2008 21:40

The Inn At Farnborough, Farnborough

Very good food. However the landlord is rather stand-offish and the staff seem to see this as how they should also behave.

Service was slow although we were the 1st to be seated in the restaurant. It got very busy and I felt sorry for those that would be in for a very long wait for their food. The waitress needed reminding several times of our request for a jug of water, then mustard, additional drinks and she also forgot our tea and coffee orders. The food isn't cheap (I don't mind paying for quality) but you expect better service at these prices.

Would give the benefit of the doubt for another visit as the food was good with a varied menu, but if the staff attitude hasn't improved we won't be back.

3 Jul 2008 19:18

The Iford Bridge, Christchurch

Much better now it's been refurb'd but don't bother eating here. The food is dire, small portions and often has missing ingredients, ie a curry that came without the bombay potatoes because they'd run out. They refused to substitute it with anything else because "it's all prepackaged and measured out" Also expensive for what it is.

Ok for a drink, quite smart inside but often not enough bar staff to cope at busy periods. The big plus here is that they only allow children over 14 and that's if they are accompanied by adults and are eating in the restaurant. So at least you can drink in peace and quiet with out brats running around!

12 Apr 2008 19:26

The Spyglass and Kettle, Southbourne

I agree with the last review. If you're not a regular here you never get served. Only ever been here twice and both times was left standing at the bar waiting to be served. The staff were hopeless. I've heard the food is below average too.

12 Apr 2008 19:22

The Commodore Hotel, Bournemouth

This has been our local for years. It's pleasant enough but desperately needs a refurb as it's shabby and grubby and in the time we've frequented it nothing has been updated apart from the toilets.

The old landlord used to keep it running to high standards and although he came across as a bit miserable, knew what he was doing. The new landlord seems to treat the place as his personal bar and is often seen drinking with his mates. I've only ever seen him serve behind the bar twice in the months he's been there. The other bar staff are friendly and are quick to serve.

The food used to be good but now is too expensive for what you get, probably now aiming at the tourists that keep the place going during the summer months.

As with so many places along the cliff top, are Greene King just waiting for an offer to turn it into flats?

12 Apr 2008 19:20

The Malt And Hops, Southbourne

Avoid at all costs!!!!
We used this as our local when we first moved to the area, but it's such a dump now we don't bother. The food used to be good but now it takes ages to arrive, is usually cold and suspect in origin. The last time we ate a roast there the chicken was stone cold, it was obvious it had come straight from the freezer and not been heated properly. We complained and got our money back. My wife complained to the head office only to get some rep ring and go on about how they have great plans for the place. There's only one plan in my mind - knock it down!
The decor is shabby, filthy dirty and unhygienic. The toilets are utterly disgusting.
The staff are completley mindless and disinterested in the customers. You're lucky to get a grunt out of them. The landlady is conspicuous by her abscence and allows her kids to use the place as their personal playground. I'm sure Orchid Group are just waiting for an offer from a developer to knock it down and build flats as it's a large site. Hope they do, anything is an improvement on what's there now.

12 Apr 2008 19:11