The Coventry Arms, Corfe Mullen

Food OK but pitching way above their station on the price point.
We visited this pub/restaurant on a Saturday evening. We arrived to find the restaurant less than half full - an initial warning sign I guess. The pub has a rustic if somewhat tired feeling, the staff seemed welcoming. An initial walk through seemed to show pleasant food being served. The menu pricing was certainly pitched at the high end Gastro Pub market. Around �7.50 got a starter of scallops (only 2 but each cut into 3 pieces and hidden with bacon bits and mash) - Tasted fairly good but please don't slice up and hide the prime ingredient of a dish, Scallops should be served whole, not sliced in an attempt to stretch a poor portion. �19.50 for a fillet steak, �2 for a sauce and additional cost of veg as a side order. Expecting a usual fillet consisting of a lovely thick lump of steak with depth to allow a seared flavoursome surface and indulgent medium rare centre, we were bitterly disapointed. We queried the fillets (3 ordered at our table) all only around 3/4 of an inch thick. The waitress stated they were in fact fillets. The manager was abbrasive and unreceptive to feedback. We would certainly not recommend this pub for the money. There are much better options in the local area for less money.

6 Oct 2009 22:02