The Perch and Pike, South Stoke

Oh dear, where to start.

My girlfriend and I decided to return to this pub last week, around 18 months after having a lovely meal there very early in our relationship So we were looking forward to our visit and it had very special memories.

What we had to put up with was nothing short of a total disgrace. Our first greeting at 2.20 pm was from a rather curt-sounding woman sat in the bar chatting loudly to two men (we later discovered she was the landlady) telling us that they shut at 3 pm, that several things weren't on the menu and that we "should have got there earlier". Somewhat taken aback, we continued to order.

On taking our drinks through into the next room, we were swiftly pursued by the landlady (temporarily breaking off from holding court in the other bar) who yelled at us that the restaurant was closed in the daytime and could we stay in the bar. We were somewhat surprised by this, as the table we had put our drinks on was the same one we had sat at for lunch 18 months before. Not as surprised possibly as the other diners, who had all stopped their meals and conversations to watch our humiliation.

At this, we decided not to stay and settled up for the drinks which included a very nice pint of Brakspear which sadly I had felt compelled to down far too quickly in our haste to beat a retreat. My girlfriend complained to the very pleasant chap behind the bar who seemed somewhat embarrassed and apologetic for (what turned out to be) his wife's attitude.

If he wants any passing trade, the landlord needs to sort out his wife and pretty damn quick. Preferably by not letting her in the pub, as she clearly has no people skills whatsoever, or at the very least by making sure she stays off the sauce on a lunchtime (if that is what the problem was).

Suffice to say we will never be returning and have sadly had our lovely memories of the place destroyed.

3 Feb 2010 17:35