The Barley Mow, West Horsley

Good beer on tap, lovely chayty local atmosphere. Had a very tasty three-cheese sandwich on Saturday, which came with a dressed-salad and, I believe, the new flavour "gourmet" Pringles. Took the parents back today, Sunday, as they've got a special Sunday menu. Good selection of well-made, well-proportioned starters including "Chorizo, bacon and potato salad", "Poached haddock fillet on a bred of pea puree with diced tomatoes" and "parma ham salad". Beef, pork and chicken roasts looked good, we all went for beef and the trimmings (yorkshire pud, roasties and veg) were all great. Selection of homemade puddings included bread-and-buter pudding, creme bruleee and apple pie.

Great atmosphere, attentive service and a dicky-bowed Italian waiter - what more could you ask for?

8 Oct 2006 18:25

The Golden Grove, Chertsey

Went on Saturday evening and had an amazing meal - David the chef has sourced good ingredients, local where possible, and paid close attention to detail. The "fine dining" menu is �30, and while only 3 courses are listed you will actually receive amuse bouche, between-course palate-cleansing sorbets and even a "pre-dessert", all of the very highest quality.

We had scallops and black pudding with apple sauce and an open goat's cheese ravioli, which was packed with flavours - rocket, lemon, black olive tapenade - but with no one of them to overpowering. For main course we al lwent for the fillet of beef - it came from a farm down the road in Lyne as was incredibly tender and tasty.

Couple of ales - 6X was well-kept, Devizes was the other.

Lovely large garden with climbing frame for the kids and picnic tables dottedaround. Nighttime is accompanied by lit oil torches.

The new chef and all the staff were friendly and attentive/ They're obviously ambitious for this pub and going by our meal it deserves to succeed.

Fine dining menu is Thursday/Friday/Saturday only, as far as I know, with a bistro style menu the rest of the week.

25 Jul 2006 09:56

The Villagers Inn, Blackheath

Fantastic country pub in rural location, 10 minutes walk from Chilworth, 20 minutes bike ride from Guildford. It was my first time here and I was really impressed.

Great local beers on tap (Hog's Back TEA, Surry Hills Shere Drop) and good selection of wine.

Great big garden with loads of room and shade.

Lovely landlord, really chatty, with a thorough knowledge of the drinks and food on offer. We had dinner there on Thursday night and two of us tried the fresh fish - my bass was perfectly cooked and really tasty, and my wife's red mullet was good too (both fresh in from Brixham, Devon that day). My mum-in-law had homemade lasagne and said it was delicious. wide selection of puddings too, all homemade - bread and butter pudding, tiramisu, creme brulee. A really great meal, and outstanding value - the bill came to �68 - for two starters, three main courses, three puddings, a bottle of Rioja and a pint of Shere Drop.

We were in last weekend too, and there was a barbecue on with homemade burgers - really nice, big differee from the rubbish you get at most pub barbecues.

I'll definately be going back here - the landlord is working hard to make this pub really good, and he's most of the way there by my reckoning.

PS. Tuesday night has live music. I haven't been along to it yet but will be going soon.

12 Jun 2006 14:58