Dec 2002

Dec 2003

Revisited August 2006, I will never eat here again, the food was terrible they couldn't even produce decent chips, shame because it is a nice pub.  Down to 3/10 CJ

Revisited June 2006 delighted to report now under new management & definite improvements since the last visit!  A very large menu & hope to do a proper review soon, this was an unexpected visit so unprepared but upping the yummy factor to 6/10

Revisited December 2004 & sad to say I will not eat here again until I hear the management have changed & things have greatly improved.  It is so sad as it was our great local pub but since the new landlord arrived a few months ago things have gone downhill.  I have eaten here since last December &  the service was very slow but the food was still OK (although I have been told by others they had not enjoyed it).  Today both were terrible.  The staff that were there were charming & were doing their best but there was only one of them behind the bar & one serving AND it is 21st December, didn't the landlord think they may be busy??  I had sausage & mash which used to be fab, today there were 3 dried up chipolatas instead of the normal sausages (see description below) in watery gravy.  (I had asked for liver but they had none.)  I complained to the poor waitress & she offered to replace the dish but we had already waited 40 mins for our food having given the order at 12 noon when there was hardly anyone in the pub!  The waitress explained that they hadn't had a food order & over the weekend had run out of almost all food!  I felt very sorry for the staff as many people appeared to be moaning.  The landlord was nowhere to be seen & the assistant manager had to be asked by the barman to come & help him serve as so many people were waiting.  They didn't charge me for my dish but no apology was offered.  I will be writing to the brewery!

Yummy factor now 4/10 & that's only because of the staff & the decor! 

Revisited December 2003

We were the same party as were here in Dec. last year plus one!  Very impressed with this years refurbishment, both the interior & exterior of the pub are greatly improved, though some of the staff say they miss the real old pub atmosphere.  I loved the decor.  It looks as if it is now very food orientated but it was pointed out that none of the tables have menus or cutlery on them so you are still very welcome to just go in to sit & drink!  Smokers will be delighted as, very surprisingly, their area is the majority of the pub!  The non smoking area is quite small & also up some stairs so not very wheelchair friendly although the staff assure me they are ready to lift people up!  As they were all young, friendly & looked strong enough I believed them.  We stayed on the level area & so for my wheelchair bound friend everything was, as last year, very comfortable.  We had a large round table.  You order at the bar & then the food is served to you.

We had a bottle of Pinot Grigio & a couple of beers. Menu has a varied choice of both main meals, snacks & sandwiches.  Our choices, two Classic Fish pie ( pieces of white & smoked fish with prawns in a cheese sauce topped with cheesy mashed potato).. very tasty, tad too much mash on the top.  One Sausage & Mash ( Large pork, leek, spring onion & cheddar sausages on a bed of bubble & squeak mash served with onion gravy)... absolutely yummy!! Another had an 8oz Burger with Cheese & Fries & last choice Beef & Ale Plate pie ( a traditional plate pie with tender pieces of beef and sliced mushrooms in real ale).. both  very pleased with their choices.  All main courses are served with choice of either vegetables or salad & choice of potatoes.  Shared a Sticky Stem Ginger Cake... to die for!  Excellent individual cafetiere coffees.

Cost just over £ £

Yummy factor 8/10

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Visited December 2002

Four of us had lunch, one of our party is in a wheelchair, she was easily accommodated.  Warm welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff.

Usual pub set up, order & pay for food at the bar.  They were very easy going about organising a tab, most places insist on a credit card no first. 

Two had Jacket Potatoes with Beans & Cheese, I had Sausage & Mash & the last choice was Cajun Chicken.  We were all pleased.

Cost: Unusually only one drink per head so just a tad over  £  good value.

Yummy Factor 7/10

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