The River Park Inn, West Parley

We found this pub on the internet. We booked when 130 miles away because it looked a reasonable place to meet with old friends who lived in Bournemouth and we were not disappointed.

The name has changed It is now "Twenty on the River". It also appears that most everything else has changed too. The decor is a delight. Simple light and modern without a single tacky artwork to distract or become a question of taste or opinion.

The welcome was great. We could have gone straight to the table but chose to wait for our friends in the bar where the barman knew our table number before we had decided what to order. When our friends arrived the Maitre D politely checked whether we wanted to stay in the bar or go to the table.

We were unhurried in our ordering and the menu looked good. The starters were exactly what we wanted and come to that the main meals and puddings were as well. The wine was served at correct temperature and tasted as though it had "breathers" for a bit. Quite an achievement for an wine such as a meaty Rioja.

The food was cooked perfectly and presented neatly. A crispy prawn starter had beautiful tempura batter, the rump of lamb was cut neatly and positioned mouthwateringly on the bed of vegetables. They even made the tagliatelli look neat!

The steaks and lamb were cooked just as we had ordered which is good for a 'pub' type establishment. Here they take pride in presenting the food. That doesn't mean it was varnished with garnish either.

We had loads of time to chat and enjoy the meal. The service was good but unobtrusive. The waitresses worked their socks off.

The cost? Not cheap but not too expensive either. For four three course meals, including a top of the shop steak,including drinks before and wine with, 30GBP ph didn't seem too bad. We left a decent tip.

We couldn't understand why the place was half empty on a Saturday night. Perhaps people can't wait for fresh cooked food these days.

20 Feb 2008 20:48

The River Park Inn, West Parley

We found this pub on the internet. We booked when 130 miles away because it looked a reasonable place to meet with old friends who lived in Boiurnemouth and we were not disappointed.

The name has changed It is now "Twenty on the River". It also appears that most everything else has changed too. The decor is a delight. Simple light and modern without a single tacky artwork to distract or become a question of taste or opinion.

The welcome was great. We could have gone straight to the table biut chose to wait for our freinds inthe bar where the barman knew our table number before we had decidedwhat to order. When our freinds arrived the Maitre D poilitely checked whether wewanted to stay inthe bar or go to the table.

We were unhurried in our ordering and the menu looked good. The starters were exactly what we wanted and come to that the main meals and puddings were as well. The wine was served at correct temperature and tasted as though it had "breathers" for a bit. Quite an achievement for an wine such as a meaty Rioja.

The food was cooked perfectly and presented neatly. A smoked salmon and prawn starter was beautifully layered on a ciabatta, the rump of lamb was cut neatly and positioned mouthwateringly on the bed of vegetables. They even made the tagliatelli look neat!

The steaks and lamb were cooked just as we had ordered which is good for a 'pub' type establishment. Here they take pride in presenting the food. That doesn't mean it was varnished with garnish either.

We had loads of time to chat and enjoy the meal. The service was good but unobtrusive. The waitresses worked their socks off.

The cost? Not cheap but not too expensive either. For four three course meals, including a top of the shop steak,including drinks before and wine with, 30GBP ph didn't seem too bad. We left a decent tip.

20 Feb 2008 20:36