please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
phoned the Bear Cross Pub 2 days ago,left message on their answerphone regarding booking a table. Have they bothered to reply NO.
bad business if you ask me. Cannot want the custom I suppose.
|
As was said before, this IS now a a restaurant with a pub attached, rather that a drinkers' pub. This is not altogether a bad thing (as the very crowded car park showed on a very wet day in November). The food is very slightly pricey, but is very good even considering the price. Its downside is Hall & Woodhouse, which means I can't give it any more than a 7/10. Certainly worth a visit if you happen to be north of Bournemouth. (And certainly better than the other nearby pubs.)
|
The Bear Cross has changed over the years but now it has found it's feet and is a destination restaurant. it is obvious that the food is homemade and the specials boards offers a change to the menu for a regular customer. I have noticed that the specials are taking on a seasonal nature. which is good to see. On a recent visit my wife and myself had a delightful experience. my wife had lamb chops with a gluten free Rosemary sauce, she is coeliac, and I had sea bream with zesty sauce. Both meals looked and tasted fantastic and full of flavour!! The staff made every effort to ensure our evening was a pleasure, and the bill was a pleasant surprise too. Please keep up the good work!!!!
|
The Bear Cross has changed over the years but now it has found it's feet and is a destination restaurant. it is obvious that the food is homemade and the specials boards offers a change to the menu for a regular customer. I have noticed that the specials are taking on a seasonal nature. which is good to see. On a recent visit my wife and myself had a delightful experience. my wife had lamb chops with a gluten free Rosemary sauce, she is coeliac, and I had sea bream with zesty sauce. Both meals looked and tasted fantastic and full of flavour!! The staff made every effort to ensure our evening was a pleasure, and the bill was a pleasant surprise too. Please keep up the good work!!!!
|
I was served up the smallest portion of steak and ale pie ever.When i complained they offered to charge me for a small mealbut when i paid the bill they never did.Average pub food at top prices.A dull and souless pub,I will not be returning.
|
Myself and my partner have been visiting the bear cross since the new management took over a few years ago , we try to visit at least once a week however this is not always possible as we too both work in the catering industry.
Each time we visit the Bear Cross we are are greated with a warm welcome either by The Managers or by their staff.We often take my elderly mother in-law too who always says how good this place is ( believe me thats a real compliment from her as she know every restaurant and pub in the whole of dorset )
The menu caters for everybody including a small appetite option which is just wonderful for mum, this means she is able to squeeze in a dessert.We all love the fresh produce which is served.Great value for money too.
Keep up your great work there at The Bear Cross you are certainly gaining a reputation for fantastic food served in a very nice enviroment , i even heard that on the bus to bournemouth!!
Kimmykitten, well what can I say? I dont think you are on the same planet as the rest of us.The Management have made a huge success here and they will continue to go from strength to strength, they are far from a pair of idiots.They are a hard working genuine couple who love what they do and this shows in their success.Do us all a favour and stay put at The Angel , you rude and arrogant little man.
Try the Bear Cross everyone you will most certainly be dissapointed.!!!
|
This place goes from one extreme to the other. Once full of chavs, it has now re-invented itself as a semi gastro pub. Went in recently, ordered a pint and sat down and no sooner had I taken a gulp of Badger Worst than a member of staff came over and asked me if I would be eating today. Er no, why would I be? It's a pub isn't it?
Unfortunately, in reality this place is a now a restaurant with a licence. No pub atmosphere whatsoever.
|
We visited this pub for the first time last week, my parents having reported a fantastic meal previously, and were extremely surprised at the high quality of the food and presentation, and the friendly service we received.
The food was cooked fresh and arrived steaming hot and beautifully presented. The flavours were awesome, and the ingredients were of the highest quality - no fat or gristle here!
We would have no hesitation dining here again regularly, (our anniversary is coming up so my mouth is watering already....) and highly recommend this establishment to anyone, but be warned, it is VERY popular now so booking is definately advised.
|
kimmykitten is not a genuine poster. he/she is retaliating to a post I made about the Angel at Longham.
I imagine kimmykitten is an employee of that establishment, possibly even the landlord himself as the vitriolic tone is very familiar.
The Bear Cross is now our regular and we continue to get good service and wonderful food.
I have also noticed that people are comfortable to come in just for a pint and the bar has all the atmosphere of a good traditional local.
|
A recent visit to The Bear Cross to celebrate my wifes promotion with a party of 6 was a great sucess. Some of my guests hadn't eaten here before so I was keen demonstrate my execellent choice in Pub/Restaurant.
The Landlady was again very attentive all evening, personally taking our ordered and serving our drinks with a friendly smile and polite conversation.
I can think of no other local Pub or Restaurant which serves HOT food like the Bear Cross. The Home made Bangers and Mash with vegetables (from the specials board were simply superb, My wife is a vegetarian and even she was impressed!), as was the Steak and Ale Pie, and the Cajun Chicken.
The Bear cross has risen quickly to the top of my favorite restaurants list. Unlike the reviewer below me, I'll refrain from drawing direct comparisons to other pubs (you really ought not do that here), All I can say is everytime I've visited I've been simply astounded by the service and the quality of the food.
I wouldn't hesistate to book this pub for another family event or celebration in future.
I have frequently found that reservations for an evening meal need to be made in advance, but it's worth calling in for some of the excellent Beers and wines on the off chance.
|
following some good reviews our party of 4 decided to visit this so called pub, let me advise this is not a pub, it is more a cheap shabby restaurant run by idiots with slop on a plate served by rude and surly staff and managers. we went on thursday just, and had no need to book the place was empty by comparison; and it's no wonder. i visit the angel regularly (3 - 4 times a week) and am told that these people used to run it prior to being here, i'm not sure they could run a coconut shy. if this is the way they used to run the angel then it's no wonder it's so busy now; people are glad for the change. oh and yes if you visit the angel you will need to ring and book at least a day in advance; it's worth it. oh before i forget, orangespot - spot on review; and born2argue you belong here please keep visiting.
|
Pub was a chav pub until just over a year ago when the managers of the Angel, up the road, took over the licence and refurbished it.
We've had many meals there since and never been disappointed. Everything is well cooked, well presented and well balanced.
The landlady and her staff are attentive and we have never experienced anything to support the negative comments made previously.
There is a regular clientele who come just for a pint and sit at the bar. They are made welcome too and the pub is the closest I've found for many years to the long-gone traditional local.
With regard to previous comments, it is not a chav pub, it is not aimed at nor exclusively visited by older diners, the staff are not miserable, surly and ignorant, and it's a matter of relief to me that the smoker won't be visiting. Running the gauntlet of the outside smokers area is almost as bad as sharing the bar with them!
|
Brilliant. Went in unbooked on a Saturday night. Was given a table immediately. Excellent food served by extremely pleasant staff. Will be dining here again.
|
If I didnt know I'd pulled into a pub on a roundabout, opposite a kwick-Fit depot, I'd never have guessed it once inside.
The pub itself was nice and quiet for a Friday night, as soon as i walked in the door with my 2 guests, the landlady/bar manager approached me and said hello to us all. She offered me a table in the restaurant area, and asked if i'd like drinks in the bar before our meal or for a waitress to come and take our drinks order from the table. I accepted the latter of her offers, and were directed to our table. The dining area is a slightly raised section with about 10 - 15 tables away from the main bar area. Although food is permitted to be eaten in the bar area as well.
The Waitress's were all consistantly professional and polite, taking our food order and subsequent drinks orders.
The food was presented very well on new white crockery. The main courses were delivered on square plate with side orders and accompaniments arriving in individual dishes or plates.
Portions were good sizes and all meals looked and tasted great.
Many tables were reserved, which I take as a sign of good quality and good service.
The pub/bar area is nice too with a flickering fire to one end, and plenty of seating.
Attention to detail springs to mind when I think of this pub, I shall be returning again soon!
|
I don't know what it was like before the refurbishment but we have just had a lovely sunday roast here. Everything about the service was great with friendly and helpful staff.
Only comment would be that there wasn't a specific childrens menu.
We will definately be going back again and recommend it.
|
I went there on Sunday for a roast - the waitress were miserable and surly and didn't want to take my order. I had to ask twice, and each time I was told that the chef was too busy. The second waitress told me that she would "probably be back to take my order". Probably?!
Miserable, surly and ignorant - wonderful.
|
as said before, its ok for a local pub, not keen on the non smoking side of things though.
everyone has to go outside to smoke? it pushed me away and i guarentee more.
|
now completely changed, new owners, total refurb. A definate food pub now, not really one to cater for the old brigade. Aiming now for discerning older diners. Fairly expensive food for a pub with 'modern' style portions
|
used to be nice local now more like iran on a bad day
anonymous - 11 Jun 2006 17:02 |
Chav infested hell hole. Just about sums it up. Watched 2 couples trying to enjoy a meal with herds of chav children running rampant through the restaurant area. Their mother's reaction was to yell obcenities through the bar at all and sundry. If you want to drink in a dole scum creche this is the pub for you.
|
Not bad for a local pub.
Jon - 17 Aug 2003 18:24 |
its amazin, its my local
Luke - 7 Aug 2003 14:18 |
