The Compasses Inn, Damerham

So much has happened since the last review. Suffice to say that the pub is much improved in many ways.

Yes, it can still take 20 minutes to get served a drink (even when there are 3 people working the bar and no other customers) and there is the odd time when you will come across a less than welcoming member of staff, but this has been the case for many, many years and may never change, just a quirk of the pub I guess and one that you allow for when everything else is working well. In contrast there are a few members of staff who are so welcoming and hardworking that it makes up for those who are less than.

The guys in the kitchen continued to do their best under tremendously difficult circumstances but the lack of management and leadership they received made it impossible for them to do their jobs properly. It is a credit to the original Chefs that the business has survived to this point.

A Head Chef has now been employed and kitchen team now have the guidance and inspiration they need to turn out consistently good food, the menu has been changed and the new HC�s influence and experience is benefiting customers and his colleagues alike. By all accounts the food is now fantastic (if not a little expensive).

There are regular Tasting evenings and the Pie Night is proving to be a success � however it is a little sad that portion sizes have shrunk since the first Pie Night making it less of a good value evening. Sadly events are often not advertised outside of the pub or are only advertised at the last minute, still a well kept secret for some!

When it comes to bar snacks the Whitebait in particular goes down well with locals, however after this proving popular the prices were put up and of course this has made people think twice about ordering it now. Most people are feeling the pinch so more effort should be made to make the food more accessible to locals and not just those in the green-welly-well-off brigade.

Prices and value for money are important and people shouldn�t get complacent just because the food is proving popular and business seems to be on the up. There is a reason why other local pubs and pubs across the country have offers on food in the current climate.

Still, much improved and it�s nice to see the place busy again. It is in a beautiful location and is well worth a visit!

28 Apr 2009 13:28

The Compasses Inn, Damerham

Well the rumours are true, a brewery has taken over and the previous landlord has now gone. There are no truer words than �you don�t know what you�ve got til it�s gone� as he will be sorely missed, I suspect even by those who would have bet their life against it.

Change is always difficult to take but when you can see your traditional country inn going the way of so many others it is a particularly bitter pill to swallow. Especially as there has been no consultation with the villagers/regulars as to their opinion, but hey � we are a captive audience with no other pub within 3 miles or so.

The Compasses has a wonderful look and feel to it, I disagree that it is run down and shabby � it just has the character that an establishment of that age should have. Of course rumours abound as to the changes that will be made to the layout but it seems almost certain that the public and lounge bar will merge to become one which is a travesty � it was so refreshing to still have the separation, relaxed atmosphere, as well as dog and welly friendly option of the public bar.

The initial take over has been a shambles; existing staff are working without taking their days off and they have no idea how long this is going to go on for. They will also be pushed from pillar to post whilst refurb is undertaken.

The Chef�s and previous landlord have worked so hard to build up their reputation for good food and it is sad to see this will probably be erased with the introduction of a �new� (and I use the term loosely!) menu later on in the year � oh yes, another pub serving generic bland food despite the talent and passion the chefs possess.

The locals have tended not to eat in the pub too often as yes, admittedly the prices were a little high � however, the bulk of the pubs customers are people who travelled there from outside the village just for the food � they wont continue to do this once the new menu is introduced so they will loose money.

Damerham is a small village with little or no passing trade so the food reputation is vital. Hopefully the new owners will realise this isn�t the place for a townie pub before it�s too late.

Rated 10 for how it used to be, lets see what happens.

9 Aug 2007 13:12

The Old Beams Inn, Ringwood

This is a difficult one. The pub has been well converted and mixes the traditional and modern very well.

My partner and I won a free meal to eat there a few weeks ago. The staff are all very young and could benefit with more training. The food was not great, my partner ordered a mixed grill which was ok however they had obviously run out of a few things and had made substitutions - which is fine if they mentioned it but they did not.

I had a jacket potato which was cold and most of the potato was bad.

The salad bar is its redeeming feature - there was a lot of variety and it was very fresh.

The deserts were well presented but the apple pie had been made using tinned apples which were tasteless and soggy.

Overall an average experience and I would have complained had i been paying!

20 May 2005 17:13