BITE user comments - newtobeer
Comments by newtobeer
The Five Bells, East Brabourne
Clearly had a full makeover recently. Some interesting ales that change regularly. Our group tried Daemon. Lunches looked good, I opted for a full breakfast, complete with massive mushrooms, great at 2pm. At least a dozen tables occupied, nice to see they are doing well on a Tuesday lunchtime. Roaring fire. Promising large barbecue area and large marquee with decking suggesting plans for warmer evenings. Friendly staff, food v. quick , fresh complete with huge butter slab on crusty toast. Wished we could've stayed longer. Slightly unusual 'shared' cloakrooms.
31 May 2011 21:37
Popped in here midweek after a walk on the Downs. Very quiet. rear bar was quite large, but we opted for the small "beer garden" a patio area the back. Spitfire went down well.
11 Oct 2010 23:18
Visited twice in March '10 (after initial visit in Sep09 on separate post). On offer were Crop Circle, Alton Pride, Hammer Mild and one from Hog's Back brewery (can't decipher my own notes). Food original and good, but priced due to local produce and you get no ping from a microwave which is all the better for it. The ham is very good and others in my group raved about the roast pork with beans. Veggie options intermittent. Plenty of tables, but Sunday booking advisable. Still highly rated by me especially after a hike up the nearby Hydon's Ball.
23 Mar 2010 22:37
How do I describe this? Plenty of tables and some easy chairs and benches near fireplace. Don't think there were any barstools. Black painted wooden floors covered with rugs gave the feel of a country house. Clearly been refurbished within the last few years. Bit of a gastro pub and geared for eating given the table arrangements, but surprisingly offering ever changing ales. Billed as a free house, last week on offer priced at �3.20 were: London Pride, Adnams Explorer, Butcombe bitter, Sharp's Doombar and Tring Blonde. The Sharp's was quite dark but not hoppy enough for me. The Blonde was light and refreshing, probably better for a summer day. Also Weston's Old Rosie at 7.3%! I'm not going to describe the food choices see their website - it was good quality but could've been hotter. I liked the decor, some may not, and the malt selection caught my eye for the return trip
1 Mar 2010 18:58
Many CAMRA awards around the bar. Noticed Surrey Hills Hammer Mild, Hogs Back Winter Ale (dark) plus two others one of which I had (need to write this stuff down...). Not a fan of the darker style, but nearby drinkers were clearly enjoying it. Traditional beef or pork roasts this Sunday, both rated highly. Looking forward to seeing what is on the pumps next time in this great freehouse. Surprisingly good coffee with an After Eight on the side!
22 Feb 2010 22:49
My 2nd visit here. Must go again when its not February and cold. Weapons of choice this visit were Badger and Sussex both perfect. You do wait a while, but not excessively long, for food which is pretty good. Jazz singer/band and good pudds this Valentine's day. My 2 friends thoroughly enjoyed their roast guinea fowl and sausage and mash. Friendly staff at bar and table. I was pestered by the cat, as I was in its chair I think, but this adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
14 Feb 2010 19:40
This is a hotel with 6 or so rooms, but don't let that put you off. An attractive waterside location (for summer!) complete with ducks. The exterior canopy protected a large BBQ and tables for those warmer days not early Feb as was our visit. Plenty of parking spaces. A rather uninteresting choice of London Pride and Courage Best so opted for the Shere once connected. Sofas and tables in bar area (dogs allowed) with an extra conservatory with more tables serving very nice food, doing 2 courses for �15. Fabulous rich pudds. Great walking area &
14 Feb 2010 19:28
The Kings Head, Holmbury St Mary
I agree wholeheartedly with jcwinetaster. Nice fires on the go at the beginning of Dec09. Large food choice on blackboard menus and although I cannot remember what I drank, I think there were either 4 or 6 via hand pump.
26 Dec 2009 08:57
The Skimmington Castle, Reigate Heath
Visited here end of Nov 09. Nice choice on the pumps and friendly staff. Fish, chicken pies great as were the desserts. Despite no veggie option on menu, a delic mushroom stroganoff with a few roast pots on the side wad rustled up for our veggie. The abundant outside seating will encourage us to revisit on a dryer and warmer day!
26 Dec 2009 08:51
Many regulars evident the other Sunday, but barman politely apologetic after I had to waited a brief minute while he finished completing a three drink order (for a person he knew by name). No problem as far as I was concerned. I did feel a bit left out because I didn't have a black Labrador (joke!). Lovely fire going but we were in upper eating section. On tap today was Flowers, Tea and Shere Drop (x2) plus one other totalling five I think.
Food good, young lads serving the tables briskly. Nice separate suet pudd with the steak and kidney. Watch your car on the road - saw a sizeable Calor gas lorry struggling to get through. I would go back.
18 Oct 2009 19:29
Sunday lunch. Surprisingly quiet. Adnams, London Pride (& another) were on show. Adnams was perfect. Waited a while for food which was reminded that it was all freshly cooked no frozen reheats to explain delay. My table had roasts; Beef and Pork Loin, both rated 9/10 accompanied by fresh veg and with leeks in white sauce. All clearly not a "re-heat" as promised. The veggie option (goats cheese and spinach lasagne) was a refreshing change to others' offerings. . Genuinely friendly staff.
10 Oct 2009 08:33
Sat outside on a sunny day in Sep09. My group each had a delicious Ploughmans' with fantastic local ham ,salad leaves and plenty baguette bits. A modern take that included Stilton. Extra cheese (brie) kindly provided for our veggie member. All washed down with Alton. Took a while to arrive but worth it. Inside looked nice. Apparently, you can walk llamas from the pub. Def go back.
4 Oct 2009 19:34
Very friendly and relaxed welcome (Sunday lunch). Nice to see a wooden floored seating area where our dogs were allowed to sit as we ate, alternatively there's the carpeted section at the back. Almost went outside as it was a warm day for early April to christen the new tables . Green King IPA went down very nicely. We thoroughly recommend, steak and Stilton pie and roast chicken. Our veggie enthused over the cheese broccoli bake complete with sliced potatoes in! Apple crumble, spotted dick and lemon drizzle cake all good. Looking forward to the next time.
18 Apr 2009 19:01
The King William IV, Mickleham
Glad I booked as lunchtime was full. An unusual building tall and narrow and the steep steps surprisingly taxing on after my nearby hike. Food is a step up from usual pubs and the price is also a step up but worth it. Huge portions. Shere drop and Alton very nice (two others on tap can't remember which). My treacle tart was the only disappointment. Us three enjoyed our Thai Chicken, Vegetarian Wellington and something else (roast I think ). Def will go back.
18 Apr 2009 18:50
The buxom young lady did very well as she was on her own on a busy Mothering Sunday taking orders and pulling pints. I've waited much longer in less busy places. Shepherd Neame on the sign, so the Spitfire was our weapon of choice. Our Scampi & chips, Cod and chips and veggie lasagne (w/ garlic bread) were thoroughly enjoyed. Nice toffee sponge. Other tables were served by a guy in chef's dress, presumably due to the lack of bar staff. Both very friendly. A very old building (look up its history). Shame it's on such a busy road, which is hard to cross. An escaped pub golden retriever roamed the tables to everyone's delight. I suppose it's not correct under some food law, but who cares?
29 Mar 2009 19:56
A lovely pub tucked away run by friendly polite 40+ aged people. Seems almost locked in the 70s/80s but in a nice way. Small bar dominated by pool/snooker table but some nice church style benches. Green King IPA, St Edmunds and Olde Trip on tap. The Olde was hoppy and the ST E light and refreshing. The old saloon bar is now tables as an eating area . This was almost empty as the March sun had many outside. Food fair, but atmosphere & service was great.
23 Mar 2009 19:35
Lovely cosy place filled with brasses which also boasts a large fireplace . Ringwood and IPA were sampled and perfect. My friends' roasts were not as good as some other venues' offerings in the county, but still OK. Friendly atmosphere.
9 Mar 2009 16:49
Nice food, plenty of space but you need to book (as with most pub's 4 Sunday lunch). Great choice of ales. (visit Feb 08)
23 Feb 2009 23:36
In March 08 my group's Roast pork and mushroom crepes were washed down with some nice Young's Special.
23 Feb 2009 23:32
The Kings Head, Holmbury St Mary
Visited here in 2008, my pint was off (end of barrel), and my offered Young's came free. Slightly puzzled that the barman sought a local's view to taste my bad pint. All very friendly. Would re-visit.
23 Feb 2009 23:21
A Friendly matronly-efficient allowed us to switch our booked table to outside. Probably not my best decision to be surrounded by the smokers but the October 08 day was warm. Large group under the marquee probably caused our food delay, which was worth the wait and good sized. Would go back again. Nice choice of ales.
23 Feb 2009 23:15
Plough at Blackbrook, Blackbrook
The Badger great, the place is small and cosy, portions big.
23 Feb 2009 23:08
In Nov 08 the service was slow for Sunday lunch (45m). However the mushroom and Stilton pudding with roast veg was liked in our group as were their roasts. My pint's were good, but I can't remember if it was Harvey's or Adnam's (or both). Nice location and popular with walkers. Would go back.
23 Feb 2009 23:02
My two Shere Drop's with a Sunday lunch were pleasant. Bust slightly cramped eating area. Quick and efficient staff. Possibly geared more towards food which was OK .
23 Feb 2009 22:54
Lovely Ringwood, atmosphere and huge jacket potatoes. Friendly bloke let me order my 2nd pint in front of him as he had a large round. Impressively tall red-headed Eastern European barmaid was very efficient. Tucked away, but well worth a visit. Large garden looks inviting for the warmer weather. Nice to find a real towel in loos!
23 Feb 2009 22:49
I was looking forward to the Shere Drop which was delicious, light and refreshing. A bit pricey, but we enjoyed the Roast beef and a large Yorkshire pudding that was filled with bubble and squeak, covered in spicy tom sauce and cheese. Unusually good for a main road pub.
23 Feb 2009 22:41
I agree with FAB1. Staff polite but struggled to serve the few waiting at the bar efficiently. Tip; If you're eating, sit down and order your pint with the food (unless you're gasping) as this is quicker. Roasts OK and large, but my party's mushroom lasagne was so swimming in fat, that parts of it were used as a dam to hold back the oil slick. Can't remember the pints. Great area to walk.
23 Feb 2009 22:35
The Tanglefoot and a drop of malt warmed my party up on a cold snowy day. Friendly landlady, but waited a bit long for food, probably due to 20+ group of walkers who got in their order before us. However the Roasts and mushroom strog were rated highly by my table.
23 Feb 2009 22:26
Slightly gourmet styled, but food great (We had Roast lamb and Butterbean Pie). Very popular on a Sunday as you would expect. Jug of water nice touch with meal. No problems with the Ringwood .
23 Feb 2009 22:20
Sunday lunch was heaving with many queuing for the roast. My guest and I chose from the cut-down menu. This was disappointingly bland, not inedible, but no taste. (seafood tagliatelle and Butternut squash risotto). However the sticky toffee pudding was superb with lovely dark toffee sauce. Pullman's very nice as was the decor, lots of unusual stuff.
23 Feb 2009 22:13
A lovely place! Great choice of beers (6). Friendly staff and regulars. My second visit just as enjoyable as the first. Make sure you reserve a table for Sunday lunchtime, saw some turned away disappointed.
Can't wait to return and looking forward to an outside drink when the weather improves.
23 Feb 2009 22:05
The Rock, Chiddingstone Hoath
The Platinum Blonde was delicious and kept well. This washed down our Ploughman's and beef and horseradish sandwich which were lovely. Not many in on a Tuesday lunchtime, hope the place survives.
26 Jul 2011 20:35