Visited April 2009

I had such a lovely time meeting up with friends I hadn't seen for quite a few years that it didn't really matter where we had lunch but once I got home my LWL reporting brain kicked in and I got angry!

Why do landlords assume that we customers think tatty and grubby equals olde worlde charm?  It doesn't!  I know times are very hard for all pubs these days but I don't believe The Royal Oak could have got into such a state in just a few months.

I chose a chilli chicken Caesar salad which was not very nice, the chicken was very dry and hardly any dressing on the salad.  I've given the food 2/5 because the others were not as displeased with their meal as I was!  We all paid our own bills and mine was about £14 for the chicken salad, a white wine spritzer and a coffee; the delightful Brasserie Blanc in Winchester charges only £11.95 for 2 delicious courses AND a glass of wine!

Perhaps I am getting too fussy in my old age as the pub was busy and I am sure it has masses of regulars but sorry I wont be joining their ranks.

The best asset this pub has is the very friendly and helpful barmaid who was on duty during our visit.

Cost £ £ £