BITE user comments - ravenman
Comments by ravenman
Nice beers but, over the last six months,meals have become highly overpriced and quality become second rate (�16 for a small, thin steak!)- where on earth do they get their meat? Off our list for eating out in future as, elsewhere in the area, we can get much better food for about �10 less a couple!
12 Sep 2007 09:19
Still a little quiet during the day but it takes a long time to turn a bad reputation round! The owners are trying very hard to give a friendly and cheerful welcome and provide a very high standard of service both from behind the bar and with their excellent food (this is very high standard pub grub cooked by a qualified chef). The decoration is new and clean but rather clinical, which makes such a large area seem very sparse, but that's nothing that a few bright colours, plants, ornamentation and mood lighting couldn't resolve! The evening musical entertainment is said to be very good and, if you enjoy a bit of gentle jazz over a few drinks on a Sunday afternoon then make sure you give it a try between 1500 and 1800. I tried this pub with some trepidation but found myself very pleasantly surprised - it has all the makings of becomming the No 1 pub in the area as long as it's not allowed to be spoilt by some of the local ruffians and ne'er do wells.
4 Mar 2007 12:29
Excellent 17th century village pub retaining many historical features. Food in both the pub and l'Auberge is excellent. l'Auberge particularly good value at lunchtime, superb service and very sexy petite French waitress! Amazing how cleverly the decor of the l'Auberge has sympathetically blended modern with "Olde Worlde" - wonderful ambiance. Trees North of helipad male it a bit dodgy in a strong South Westerly but OK if you take it carefully. Tons of room for parking the Bentley otherwise!
14 Feb 2006 14:24
If you can find it it's worth a visit. Good beers and food. Little bit cliquey as only the neighbours know where it is!!
17 Jan 2006 10:34
Who cares? Bleak and boring pub with unfriendly bar staff and dodgy clientel. Might be the right place to go if you want some cheap schmutter - no questions asked!!
17 Jan 2006 10:26
Don't bother to go to this establishment unless you're a lager swilling yob (and even some of them might be a bit put off)! no food as the kitchen was condemned years ago and hasn't had any work done to it. Step carefully in case you go through the rotten floor. To be avoided at all costs!!
17 Jan 2006 10:20
Probably the only real pub left in the South of England. Loads of local memorabilia, no music, no machines but ring-the-bull, darts, cribbage, proper open fires, wooden floors, basic but cheap and wholesome grub - bacon hocks to die for! Use the public bar for a good wind up session. The landlord is about 90 but very knowledgable on local history and amateur gentry, his "farmgirl" wife is 70'ish and doesn't put up with any mucking about. A wonderful pub - everyone should go there at least once!!
16 Dec 2005 10:46
The best of a bad bunch in Horndean! This has the potential to be one of Gales top pubs, particularly as it's right next to the brewery. Unfortunately Gales seem disinclined to make more than minimal expenditure at this pub, preferring instead to waste �millions by ruining lovely old country pubs like the Chairmaker's Arms.
PS Pity that Gales head brewer seems determined to ruin traditional Hampshire beers by putting an artificial "northern" head on them!
28 Oct 2005 12:30
All the locals heaved a sigh of relief when the old pre-fab was eventually pulled down and were delighted to see the traditional external finish of the new Rising Sun.
Internally also quite good but a bit tight at the bar area, kept clean though and nice loos.
So what's wrong?
The most expensive drinks in Hampshire; very slow and poor service, normally by very young girls who seem to have no previous experience behind a bar; very expensive but ordinary pub grub - too large portions; smoking area of bar is frequently totally hogged by a dozen plus ignorant and foul mouthed males (with dirty work clothes/muddy boots between 1700 and 1900); hardly anywhere to sit unless you're eating; landlady rarely in evidence, landlord totally invisible.
After the huge amount of money that must have been invested in it, the Rising Sun should and could have become a popular village local, unfortunately it's too expensive and unfriendly for the majority of the local community who continue to drink elsewhere.
28 Oct 2005 12:08
The Bird In Hand, Lovedean
Probably one of the best pub/restaurants in Hampshire! Good beer at reasonable prices and excellent food. Their number of customers every day of the week says it all. Give it a try; you won't be disappointed.
1 Aug 2009 14:10