BITE user comments - hockey
Comments by hockey
Excellent bar and bistro style restaurant. It is not pretentious or snobby, but does attract a nice crowd who have money to spend - nothing wrong with that. The comment about going to the Bermuda Triangle instead is silly - that is also a good pub, but aimed at a completely different market. The Cow keeps it's beer very well with a good choice. The food is excellent - not cheap but good value. Varied menu, well cooked and presented.
4 May 2010 22:39
This is a great local pub. The beer is very well kept, particularly the 6X. There is generally quite a buzz of conversation from the many regulars, especially later in the evening when it gets quite busy. The landlord and his wife have turned this pub into arguably the best in Wimborne for a drink. Also does very good value food at lunchtimes. The flowers ouside in the summer have quite rightly won many prizes in the Wimborne in Bloom competition.
9 Feb 2010 17:10
Visited on a Tuesday lunchtime. Two other couples and some friends of the landlords were the only people in. Service was mediocre - landlord seemed more interested in chatting to his friends - bizarrely they were more welcoming than the landlord.
Food was expensive but very average. Poor choice of beer.
Positives are it is a nicve building in a very pleasant setting - but is that enough to make it worth a trip out of your way?
9 Feb 2010 17:00
Great country pub. Nice atmosphere. Friendly bar staff - great banter. Food was good.
16 Feb 2009 21:09
Popped in to eat as put off by the prices at the Bull. Very quiet. Fish and chip wasn't bad.
16 Feb 2009 21:04
The Black Bull Hotel, Coniston
Nice beer, but too expensive. We visited twice, but only had one drink each time due to the price. Food menu look expensive as well. As another reviewer remarked - this is a country pub, not a top restaurant.
16 Feb 2009 21:03
The Anchor at Shapwick, Shapwick
I am wary about posting a review about this pub as I fear it could easily get so busy it would loose its appeal. Suffice to say the new landlord has turned this business around after the recent ridiculous goings on. The food is superb - almost comparable with the Museum at Farnham. Good range of well kept beers. Delightful location. In my view probably the best pub for 15 miles (how far away is the Museum?)
10 Dec 2007 21:30
Dixon is missing the point - this business does not want to attract passing families from the cycle path for meals, and it is all the better for it. This is now a nice place to dine with good quality food in a pleasant atmosphere. Yes, the prices are a little higher - but you get what you pay for. It is a big, big improvement. Excellent beer as well - the Timothy Tailors was superb.
10 Dec 2007 21:24
I always visit here when in Leeds for work. Great bar, great choice of beers, friendly service, and great prices (speaking as a southerner!!)
12 Mar 2007 20:46
The Coach and Horses, Wimborne
One of the few pubs in Wimborne that serves decent beer, and a choice of beers - all well kept.
I haven't eaten here so also unable to comment on the food.
Staff are always friendly. Good atmosphere. Worth a visit.
12 Mar 2007 20:36
Agree with Billieposter. The refurbishment is a great job. Opened the lounge bar up. Modernised but still retaining character. A couple of nice large dining tables with great views across the field opposite. The staff are friendly. Food is reasonable, great value Sunday roast.
Again, in common with a lot of Wimborne pubs, it is let down by the beer - I am one of those to be found drinking Guiness. This is a shame as although it is a nice pub, there are others within a 10 minute drive that are as good, and offer a decent pint of Ringwood or London Pride
12 Mar 2007 20:27
The Crown and Anchor, Wimborne
The food here is very good. Home cooked, decent portions, good quality. Nice to find they will do childrens portions of the regular menu so they get to eat proper food as well. Although it is on the main road there are some tables by the river that are pleasant in the summer.
As ever for a Wimborne pub I just wish they would offer a decent guest beer and not restrict the choice to Badger. If they did I would drop in for a pint as it is my local!
12 Mar 2007 20:21
I did think about copy and pasting johnkn7's entry below because it is spot on. It has recently been redecorated but has managed to retain it's character. If only they would keep a decent guest beer (Ringwood!!) - when will local pubs learn local people do not like Badger!!!
12 Mar 2007 20:10
I also disagree with ajho. The pub has very pleasant bar and dining areas. A huge attraction is that it is totally non-smoking. The food is good quality, if a little over priced. I think the beer is also expensive (especially as I am not a fan of Badger), yet the wine is reasonable value.
Wimborne has a number of other good pubs that offer different attractions. The Olive Branch is clearly aiming at the smarter, more affluent market, which it does well and adds to the variety Wimborne has to offer.
12 Mar 2007 20:06
The new owners really need to decide what they want to do with this establishment - are they going to remain a pub with a restaurant area or become a restaurant with a small bar. At present they are clearly leaning towards becoming a restaurant but unfortunately not very well.
We dined there on a Friday evening and the place was over half empty. Despite this we were restricted to a small table for two even though there were several larger tables in better positions that remained free all evening.
The food was very average with several poor points. The whitebait starter was served with a chilli sauce,but no bread and butter or role were offered. The main courses came with vegetables that had clearly been microwaved for too long. When I asked for some mustard to accompany my steak I was presented with a jar of Colemans and a teaspoon. We had to ask for cutlery to eat our main course as this had obviously been cleared with our starters and not replaced.
This part of Dorset is blessed with several pubs offering better value for money and higher quality food. The new owners need to take heed of the local competition. We will not be returning.
19 Mar 2006 14:04
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
This is also my favourite pub in Bournemouth. Great range of beer that is always well kept and changes regularly. MrDoyle has summed it up in his accurate review. I would add that the food I have had there has always been good value. Fish and chips was great - Goat Curry also looked good and was rated by the others I was with.
If you like your beer this is a 'must visit' in Bournemouth.
4 May 2010 22:45