We've come here several times over the years, and each time we come we like it more and more.
Date: Sept 2020 Score: 9
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| Ambience |
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| Generally offers two cask beers |
Clean and tidy. Lacks atmosphere and charm but serves beer and food. Job done. We had a very tasty nut roast with fresh veg. Veg was crisp to the point of being underdone, but Chrissie was happy. I have a preference for cooked (soft) veg. Place is popular on a Sunday, and tables were soon all reserved around us, and the bar area was rapidly filling up. This is a decent local which offers decent food and a selection of cask beers. One of the beers on our visit wasn't as fresh as it could have been, but was just shy of refusing. An ok place I'd be ok with returning to. And we liked it more than the nearby Dancing Goose.
Date: Nov 2019 Score: 6
Date: Nov 2019 Score: 6
This place tries hard to do well, but it doesn't work for me. Nothing wrong with it, just that it's not my style. The original Victorian pub has been modernised with cool greys and pale wood furniture into an IKEA cafe. There are four casks, but they are national standards like Doom Bar. And four is too many, as I rejected two as undrinkable before settling on a wa werm and out of condition but drinkable Atlantic. It was an awkward and embarrassing moment. Fair play the barmaid didn't quibble, but also didn't quite understand as she "doesn't drink beer".
My baguette was tasty, though came with chips and salad as standard. All of which was very tasty - but were the chips really necessary? I'd prefer that to be an optional extra rather than be put on my plate.
I was also put off by being told to sit at the table and the barmaid would come to take my order. I said I would be quick so no need, and then was asked if she could take my drink order while I was deciding! Good intentions, no doubt, but I was now feeling somewhat out of sorts with the pub as we were clearly operating on different time scales and perceptions of considerate and discrete service. Then, when I did order she said she'd start a tab, and I was now fed up with fighting her decisions. But really I prefer to pay upfront in a cafe or pub because I don't see the value in going to the bar twice. When I'm finished I just want to leave, not wait at the bar to be served!
Date: Jan 2018 Score: 5
71 Victoria Road
Netley
SO31 5DQ
Netley
SO31 5DQ
