The Goffs Oak, Goffs Oak

Disappointing visit on a sat lunchtime - seems like a pub where the owner has said lets get on the gastro bandwagon and has had a lot of money spent upgrading throughout but clearly this is all the owner bothered with. The food was well presented but absolutely tasteless e.g. piri piri children had no piri piri in it at all, chicken was like rubber. Pork belly was microwaved and soggy and no crispiness at all so basically lower level old style pub grub despite the marketing, pricing and presentation suggesting much more. The service seem to struggle with two boys seeming to run the place confused with whether to serve at the bar or wait on tables. the place got more popular as the lunchtime peak arrived so clearly it must stand out in the local area but for how it is marketed, it is very disappointing.

14 Jul 2013 10:05

The Castle Inn, West Lulworth

Beautiful old thatched pub on the only, narrow road to Lulworth Cove. Controlled car park across the road (let the staff know if you are going for a walk first as this is a good base for circular walks) seems to be dog and child friendly. Excellent selection of real ales, cider and rare perrys which seemed to be well kept. Dark, cosy and low ceilinged inside - somewhat 1970s stone walling decor and very cramped - there are lots of cosy alcoves and booths but people have to virtually clamber over you to get to the toilet so not good for groups unless you are outside but the front beer garden is close to the semi-busy road but I think there was another proper garden at the back. The place was staffed by Kiwis - seems to be some sort of Kiwi stopping point. While the service from the Kiwis was very good, the most negative thing was the food - very average pub grub, and not in keeping with the rest of the pub e.g. Dorset Burger claiming real local beef implying home made turned out looking and tasting like a cheap frozen economy burger, the worst thing was no roasts on a Sunday! The food really let this pub down as this could be fantastic fantastic Sunday lunch pub.

14 May 2012 22:07