BITE user comments - rarinrob
Comments by rarinrob
Popped in here in Sunday with friends who live nearby. What a wonderful place. Very nicely furnished, lots of nice beers on offer, nicely maintained beer garden, pleasant staff and delicious food. Couldn't really fault it, which makes me wonder if the review below is genuine. Also find it hard to understand why this pub has such a low score. Highly recommended based on my visit.
22 Apr 2013 12:40
This has just reopened after being shut for a while. Manaton is a small village on Dartmoor and the Kestor is the only pub there, so I really hope the new owners (who also run a pub in Chagford) succeed with it. Visited on Sunday 18th July 2010 for Sunday lunch (I had fish and chips, everyone else had roast beef). Food was good and beer excellent. Only slight disappointment was the d�cor - there's an extension at the front, used as the main dining area. It's a tad soul-less. The main part of the pub is too dark to eat in, but better lighting would change this.
19 Jul 2010 12:40
Visited last Saturday (17 July 2010), having booked a table for four for food. Another utterly brilliant evening. We ordered cheesy garlic bread with sweet chilli dipping sauce for starters, four of the pub's famous 2-in-1 pies for mains and finished off with a variety of puddings from the 'naughty board'. As usual, the food was flawless. The pub's owner, James, is an incredible host - always happy and welcoming, regardless of whether you're a regular or first-timer. There's never a great selection of beer, but Dartmoor's always on (there was one other that I can't remember on Saturday), so you're always guaranteed at least a good pint. Can't recommend highly enough - just make sure you book if you're eating at the weekend!!!
19 Jul 2010 12:33
Not quite sure why this place has so many good reviews, but then I saw how old some the comments are. It's obviously gone downhill a lot since 2008. Although some of the staff are pleasant enough, many aren�t, and the attitude of the security staff once the last orders bell is rung is downright offensive. Beer is average at best. Best avoided - there are plenty of good alternatives very close by.
18 Mar 2010 15:44
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
Must admit that this is a refreshing change from most of the God-awful Brewers Fayre-type �pubs� you find in east Dorset - if you like your real ale it�s well worth a visit, although as many others have observed it's well off the beaten track so you�re better off getting someone else to drive!
Getting served is a tad more archaic if you don't know how the hatch system works, while the food being devoured by people on other tables looked none too savoury to my eyes. But worth it for a different experience.
1 Sep 2009 14:03
The Seven Stars Inn, Okehampton
Visited for the first time for Sunday lunch. Yes, the beers are great and there's even a surprisingly good selection of lagers. But - and it's a big but - the real news here is the food. It was the best roast beef lunch I've ever had. Astonishingly good. The chef works here most evenings, too, and trained at Mill Street in Chagford and in North Bovey. Highly recommended. Oh, the village is nice and attractive, too.
11 May 2009 13:26
The Waterman's Arms, Ashprington
Visited for a meal with my family last Saturday evening and I haven�t been this disappointed with a pub in ages. First off, we turned up at about 7.30pm and it was pretty much dead, which wasn't a good sign. Staff were pleasant enough though, and the beer was good, but they had only 2 steaks left. They were rare (we asked for medium) and I clearly asked for chicken and got lamb! It was reasonable but nothing special. Lots of small cock-ups like this marred what should have been a good evening - and the pub didn't get busier as the evening went on, so I wonder if the locals know something I don't.
31 Mar 2009 18:23
The Turtley Corn Mill, Avonwick
Visited for the first time on Sunday (early Nov �08). It's just off the A38 near South Brent. Very impressive converted old mill - smart and cosy but not pretentious. Good selection of well kept real ales and lots of efficient staff (at least there were on the day I went). Good menu, reasonably priced, and well presented food (I had plaice and chips - great mushy peas, everyone else had rib of beef - also great). You'll probably need to book at the weekend (open all day I believe). Highly recommended.
3 Nov 2008 17:30
Been visiting this place for several years whenever I'm in town on business but don't think I'll bother any longer. The 'major refurbishment' seems to have also been applied to the drinks prices - and the beer and wine is pretty mediocre too. I've never had a problem with the staff here, although I've heard some horror stories from friends. You can do much better in Soho.
28 May 2008 11:37
Visited this pub early on a Tuesday evening in October. It has a main entry in the Good Pub Guide and I must admit that the 6X I tried was well kept and the extensive menu looked great. However, parking is very limited and there was a god-awful stink inside - smelt like some of their fish had been off for a week. Shame, because we were looking forward to sampling some of the specials, but there was no way we could have kept our food down with that lingering smell.
12 Oct 2006 12:17
The Buddle Inn's location reminds me of the Bankes Arms in Studland, Dorset. It has the same amazing views across the English Channel and the same olde worlde feel to it; your typical country pub. Good beer, nice atmosphere and a reasonable seating area out front with a decent car park across the road. We visited on a very quiet Monday night in October, when there were only two other people there, trying to decide what to order from the good-looking menu. We'd already ordered (the Buddle Pie - with apricot, thyme and chicken - and cajun chicken) and waited only 15 minutes for it to be served, but it was only so-so. The pie was good but the veg were undercooked (the menu said they are cooked "al dante" - I'd say they were merely shown the pan of boiling water). By the way, my rating for the pub is heavily swayed by the ambience and the views. It's best visited at lunchtime during the week, preferably outside the tourist season if you're planning to eat.
12 Oct 2006 12:08
The Tide End Cottage, Teddington
This traditional pub had a makeover in summer 2006, adding a decked area (and demolishing the odd 'permanent' marquee) at the rear and a fresh lick of (dark and moody but quite tasteful) paint inside. Good choice of beer and wine and a well-priced, good food menu BUT you're advised not to order food between 12.30 and 2pm; an influx of staff from nearby Teddington Studios overwhelms the kitchen and you'll end up waiting at least an hour. Recommended for a boozy do, though.
13 Sep 2006 12:39
Coppa Dollar Inn, Totnes
Surprised no one else has reviewed this pub, which remains as good as ever. I've always found it best to stick to the pie menu, rather than going off piste and choosing something from the 'specials' blackboard on the wall, but the Dartmoor and Jail Ale is always v. good. Don't forget to book a table if eating at the weekend.
22 Apr 2013 12:43