The Exchequer 17/25

Website:theexchequer.co.uk

Vegetarian: Yes

Parking: Own car park

Wheelchairs: OK 

Loos: Average

LWL Bronze Award - Awarded April 2010 - Cost £££££

After an easy drive along the M3 to exit 5, we turned onto the A287 to Crookham Village to lunch at the Exchequer, a pub and restaurant, reopened just a few months ago.

We were warmly welcomed by the charming managers Michele and Dan and shown to our table in the conservatory. Whilst enjoying our G &T's we studied the interesting menu and made our selection from the set menu (2 courses £9.50, 3 courses £13.50).  They also serve light bites; the door step sarnies with fries being served to a near by table looked very yummy.

For starters we chose soup of the day, Chili, courgette and coriander - delicious and a generous serving, warm red onion Tarte Tatin, with parmesan and salad leaves with balsamic dressing, Steamed mussels with wine, herbs and cream served with crusty bread.

For mains we selected The Fish Board (smoked salmon, smoked mackerel, vodka crayfish, olives and dips, the hummus was perfect), Slow cooked Pork belly, sage mash, broccoli with a delicious sauce of maple syrup and Cannelloni of spinach and ricotta served with salad leaves, toasted almonds and garlic oil dressing.  They all went down well accompanied by our bottle of Domaine d'Astros rose @ £16.50.  Have a look at their menu online, they also do a Charcuterie Board and a Cheese Board.

Next we had to try two puddings - a wonderful Pear and Frangipane tart with pouring cream and a very fattening Sticky toffee pudding served with Jersey milk ice cream!!  Doesn't that sound good?  I believe the latter is a big favourite with their customers but I found the pear dessert irresistible.

We chatted to Simon, the chef, and thanked him for making our lunch an enjoyable event.  He has gained his experience working in several Hampshire restaurants, his hobby, running marathons!

This is a pub to recommend for good service, good menu, attractive surroundings and with outside seating proposed for the warmer months down by the river.

The owners have a second pub, The Hogget www.hogget.co.uk , not far away in Hook; we are keen to explore it on another visit to North Hants.  We hear it is well established, busy, serving food all day and is featured in The Michelin Eating out in Pubs guide 2010! www.michelin.co.uk/travel/pubs.htm

Ladies Who Lunch Scoring:

Quality of food 3/5
Variety of menu 4/5
Staff and service 4/5
Ambience, setting & decor 3/5
Value for Money 3/5

Total Yummy Factor

17/25

5/5 = Cannot be improved upon, 4/5 = Very good, 3/5 = Good,
2/5 = Satisfactory, 1/5 = Poor, 0/5 = Terrible

The higher the "Yummy" factor, the better the food & service. The higher the number of £ signs the more expensive. (Roughly one £ sign = £5 per head)