The Bricklayers Arms, Midhurst

Nice little pub, though yo uhave to park in the main town car park a few streets away. Very friendly, very busy, andyet the landlord always seemsto have time to talk to locals and strangers alike. Knows his beer, and serves a most quaffable pint! Used to be much lamented King and Barnes of Horsham, but isevery bit as good now! Traditional pub food and sandwiches also worth investigating, though not particularly cheap! In an old and interesting town of many pubs, this one will not disappoint!

28 Feb 2007 09:15

The Harbour Lights, Bournemouth

I'm afraid this is a pub to avoid! True, its location makes for very pleasant views of teh pier, the beachand the sea, and there is a balcony which must be packed in summer. However, there are several important reservations. The beer is under so much blanket pressure it is actually unpleasant, and I was served a pint with between one and two fingers space at the top - the manager had to top up the glass, as the bar man ended up spilling more thanhe put into the glass! The food was, quite frankly, awful, really awful. The steak, usually the safe option, was so tenderised it had lost all structure, and yet managed to be both tough and tasteless. It was served with three (yes, three) small reheated onion rings and cold chips. The chicken fajitas, though well presented, were so swimming in oil, that we had to drain this off into a bowl we had to ask for. This was problably the worst pub meal I can remember having - ever - and not an experience I will repeat. Having said that, the service was incredibly prompt - something like three or four minutes after ordering (read into that what you will!), and their desire to clear your plates away was equally exemplary (though the waitress was hanging around waiting for us to finish, despite the pub only being about a quarter full, was somewhat disconcerting). Go for the view, and the view alone, or go with your eyes wide open - not a place I can recommend, I'm afraid.

28 Feb 2007 09:03

The Trusty Servant, Minstead

Great pub in the heart of the New Forest a coupleof miles to the south of the A31. Serves generous ploughmans's lunches, though we were surprised at the wait, given the pub was really quite empty. Menu seems innovative, to the point of elaborate, but those eating seemedto enjoy it! Not, shall we say, of the cheapest - not even the ploughman's! Given the huge floor area and the desire to make a strong impression with the food, it may well be that the new landlord will think of turning this into a gastro-pub in the near future. Beer is well kept and tasty, though some of the staff do not know enough about the beers themselves! Parking may well be a problem is summer!

28 Feb 2007 08:35