Visited May 2007

I found myself in Wickham looking for a quick lunch on a dull November Tuesday – at the corner of The Square, the imposing frontage of Greens caught my eye.  As the menu displayed outside also appealed I ventured in to the welcoming bar area where I was greeted warmly and, at my request, shown straight to a table.

The “set” menu is styled “Local Produce” and with a good choice throughout there was no need for me to refer to the à la carte or specials board.  As I was “on the run”, I skipped the Starters and headed straight for the Mains.  I could have chosen any of the four options, but plumped for the Ragout of Pork with Tomatoes and Roasted Sweet Pimentos, rather than the Roast Leg of Lamb, Fillet of Plaice or Vegetarian Dish (full descriptions available on the comprehensive website). The Pork was delicious in flavour, an appropriate sized lunch portion (just enough) being accompanied by creamy mash, broccoli and green beans – simple but stylish.

By the time my plate was clean (I used bread to mop up the last vestiges of sauce!), the restaurant was filling up with various groups of the local “eaterati” being served free glasses of wine (apparently part of a “Telegraph offer”). Nevertheless, all were being attended to efficiently by a small team of waiting staff and appeared happy to be out of the gloom and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere that seems to pervade Greens – at the same time, local men folk were contentedly sampling the real ales on offer at the bar.

Time waits for no man, however, and I needed to be on my way…. “Would I like a sweet” the waitress enquired? “Of course”, I replied! The Bread and Butter (sic) with Crème Anglaise was an easy winner over the Raspberry and Cassis Cheesecake, and Cheese and Biscuit Selection, this time round. Now, this was truly a “pudding” to die for – exquisite presentation, amazingly matched by perfect texture and flavour – a great triumph.

Regrettably, I had to be away – how I would have loved to have stayed and, over a coffee (and brandy?), watched others sampling the good fare on offer. My two courses cost me £12 (add on £3 for a starter), and for such quality was good value indeed. As is customary, non “set” prices (Evenings and Sunday Lunch) are dearer and I would suggest reference to the website before going. Do try it though – if my “taster” is anything to go by, Greens really is very good.

Cost £ £ £

Visited April 2003  ( Nov'03 Heard on grapevine has now become a non smoking restaurant).

What a wonderful find!  We decided we would lunch in Wickham & just nipped into this pub to get out of the rain, have a drink & decide where, out of the places we'd looked at, we would eat.  The welcome was warm & having got ourselves comfortably seated decided to study their menu, it looked very promising!  As the surroundings were so attractive, it was refitted only a year ago, we decided to stay.  This was an outing of all four "ladies" together.  To keep the one smoker amongst us happy we generously (as usual) agreed to sit in their very small smoking area!

Best of all was the very rare treat these days of having waitress service.  It was lovely not to have to order & pay for the food at the bar.  Our waitress was charming, very friendly & efficient.  She brought us the specials board to the table, another nice touch or perhaps she thought we all looked too feeble to get up!  I ordered from the board, Cottage Pie with fresh vegetables including new potatoes AND chips!  The others all ordered from the menu.  A Ploughman's with home cooked ham, a Warm Chicken & Avocado salad, & Chargrilled Chicken stacked with sun dried tomatoes & feta cheese topped with bacon with a roasted red pepper & tomato sauce, also served with fresh vegetables. All were delicious, lovely flavours & the vegetables were crispy.  We finished with a mouth-watering Dark Belgian chocolate tart with clotted cream, yummy, but unfortunately the others decided we had to share it between us!  Two of us had coffees, we also had G&T's & a bottle of Viognier so........

Cost just over £ £ £

Yummy Factor 9/10 & a

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