BITE user comments - mangelwurzler
Comments by mangelwurzler
Lovely olde worlde pub, friendly landlady, food quite average, beer ok.
17 May 2013 09:51
This place goes from strength to strength. Top marks for friendliness, food and atmosphere. The only downside is that it appears to be getting so busy that turning up and expecting a table might be risky.
17 May 2013 09:43
A place full of character and dogs. On entering you would be forgiven for thinking "scruffy" but away from the bar area things are smarter. A good range of proper beer on offer with the barman on hand to advise. An interesting choice of food. It seems that the cash only regime has given way. If dogs freak you out stay away, if good beer food and company are your thing give it a try.
29 Mar 2013 15:54
The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe
Nice to see a pub with proper fires burning. The landlord was welcoming and an excellent pint of Plain Brewery innocence went down very nicely. The food seems to maintain its previous good quality.
29 Mar 2013 15:46
Empty when we arrived and still empty when we departed on a Tuesday lunchtime. We each had a bowl of tasty soup and a very nice pint of Dartmoor ale.On a cold day the place was not particularly warm. Landlady very pleasant. Just a shame that such a nice little place was not busier.
29 Mar 2013 15:33
The Watchfield Inn, Watchfield
Scruffy and cold, beer far too cold, food mediocre, understaffed, avoid.
11 Dec 2012 16:34
Friendly hosts, well kept beer , top quality food and a nice warm wood burner.
28 Nov 2012 14:02
Little wonder this pub is rated so highly. Superb choice of well kept beers excellent tasty food and very friendly staff all in a clean inviting pub. My only advise would be if you are not local get yourself a decent map and ignore the sat nav.
21 Sep 2012 17:51
A superb place to come on a fine summer day. The garden must rate second to none either sitting on the patio or in the large grassed area. Although the beer choice is still very limited, Butcombe or Butcombe this is a must place to come for the food even if it is a tad more expensive than your run of the mill pub. I have always found the service friendly and efficient. If you are looking for a drinking pub you might well be disappointed.
28 Aug 2012 21:42
Clean neat and tidy with decent beer and food and friendly staff
11 Jul 2012 21:16
The Crab and Lobster, Bembridge
Not the best food to be found on a recent visit to the Isle. Our seafood grill lacked flavour and surely in this day and age no-one should serve limp chips. The staff however were all very pleasant.
30 May 2012 20:41
Pleasant pub but as a previous writer commented it was a bit odd to find closed signs at the front bar and all the activity at the back. Food and beer very nice and the staff were pleasant. In nice weather there are plenty of outside eating areas.
30 May 2012 20:37
More cafe than pub. The tables and the place in general could have been a bit cleaner and there was a poor choice of beer, however the food was very tasty.
30 May 2012 20:27
Very busy when we arrived at 12-45. Nevertheless we were quickly served by cheerful efficient staff. Quick service did not mean microwave because from my seat in the garden I could see the food being freshly prepared. My Fullers summer ale and food were of excellent quality. Perhaps not the cheapest place to eat but on the other hand quality is always worth that little bit extra.
30 May 2012 20:19
Gushing comments, justified comments I would say, Definitely.
22 May 2012 09:49
Dinnington Docks, Hinton St George
Service with a smile, both beer and food excellent and a nice atmosphere. When this place is busy it can be a little noisy but don`t let this put you off going and enjoying the experience. Thankfully the huge TV was not switched on while we were there. It is living proof that if you are good enough you can draw the crowds where ever you are situated
17 May 2012 20:53
I do wish people whould stay away from this place as it`s increasingly difficult to get my favourite table. Beer, food, atmosphere all fantasic and on my last visit the bread was better than ever.
15 May 2012 12:34
Called in for lunch and unlike many pubs this place was very busy. The food proved to be very edible if not spectacular. With the ever present Butcombe on offer and Speckled Hen I was not that impressed by the beer selection. In this day and age surely there are plenty of more interesting local brews on offer.
4 May 2012 09:33
A proper pub, a bit scruffy around the edges but with decent food and beer.
I suggest the person unable to find the car park takes a eye test before driving out again!!
19 Apr 2012 15:56
Tasty well presented food at a reasonable price in pleasant surroundings with a cheerful landlady and a nice pint of local cider to wash it down.Nothing not to like about this place.
17 Apr 2012 14:55
Friendly landlord . My pint of teinworthy devon dark was ok but a rather aquired flavour and the food, whilst perfectly edible, was preceeded by much pinging of the microwave.
13 Mar 2012 18:07
Beer OK although Badgers is not my favourite tipple. Food OK but far too long in coming for a not very busy place.
14 Feb 2012 15:20
To make a go of this place the young couple must get their act together. The place was cold , my pint of bitter was far far too cold and it took almost an hour to serve two pre-made pies and one scampi and chips in spite of there being only one table of three before us. On asking for the dessert menu, bearing in mind that they advertise as homemade dessert specialists, we were offered a choice of apple pie or biscuits and cheese.
10 Feb 2012 09:14
The Rising Sun Inn, West Bagborough
As always good food friendly staff and the beer in good nick. A bit of atmoshere is lost by separating the bar from the dining area and it is not the warmest place in Winter.
10 Dec 2011 21:23
All is forgiven, back on form, good atmosphere good beer and good food.
3 Dec 2011 09:30
The Carpenters Arms, Chilthorne Domer
Place quite smart and clean if a little bit clinical for my taste.Friendly welcome but with a poor choice of beer, Otter Bitter and the everpresent uninspiring Doom Bar. however the Otter was in good nick. Food OK but nothing special. Not quite sure how they managed to win the `Somerset Life` food and drinks award for the best country pub.
18 Nov 2011 15:33
Dinnington Docks, Hinton St George
Well worth the effort to find this place. Busy with people eating at a little after mid-day and with plenty of locals popping in for a chat and a pint. Good beer, teignworthy gun dog, and excellent well priced food brought to the table by an overworked gentleman who always seemed to make time for a few cheery words with the customers.On a wet day don`t expect to arrive home with a clean car!!
5 Nov 2011 21:10
Beer and atmosphere as good as ever but do I detect a slight downturn in the food? Whitebait overdcooked and goat curry with little flavour and a reduction in the bread rations.
18 Aug 2011 08:20
Very friendly owner and staff food good and beer in good condition.The only downside the place was very quiet.
2 Jun 2011 10:20
This has been a popular pub for many years but after today`s experience I really can`t think why this is so. Dreadful service, mediocre food and with it taking two and a quarter hours to serve lunch to a group containing five well behaved small children it was not something I would wish to repeat.
30 Apr 2011 21:38
A warm welcome good food well kept beer difficult to fault.
12 Mar 2011 09:10
The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague
A shame indeed. If you can`t be polite to your customers maybe you are in the wrong job!!
7 Mar 2011 21:39
The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague
Returned here today for a special birhday lunch with friends.The food was OK but the place was dead and empty and the landlord`s attitude less than friendly.Will we bother to return? Not at all likely.
5 Mar 2011 21:14
|This place never fails to please. Good beer good food and an atmosphere second to none.If only there were more pubs like this.
17 Feb 2011 14:42
The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe
First impressions were of a slightly tired tatty exterior with some peeling paintwork and rotting woodwork. However inside was fine with two proper fires and a warm welcome from the lady behind the bar. Food was OK without being anything exceptional.There are plenty of good small brewers in Somerset so why do pubs like this not support them? One real ale on offer was the ever present Butcombe and the other came from Warwickshire.
4 Feb 2011 15:50
The Pony and Trap, Knowle Hill
Is there anywhere nicer to enjoy lunch on a fine autumn day than the conservatory of this pub? Good quality food well cooked and well presented and a view over unspoilt countryside in a welcoming atmosphere.The only downside would be the beer selection Butcombe and Doom Bar both far too comonplace for their own good and Bath Ales Barnstormer which was not altogether to my taste.
10 Nov 2010 16:28
Best steak and ale pie for many a mile with a proper short crust lid instead of the usual puff pastry nonsense and plenty of tender beef filling.Not a huge choice of beer but my pint of Otter was excellent. Also a request to slightly change the menu caused no problem at all. A nice mix of drinkers at the bar alongside the people eating at the well spaced tables.We were made very welcome by the young cheerful staff and the whole place including the toilets was clean and tidy.Well worth a return visit
14 Oct 2010 16:00
A friendly place with top quality food at prices to match but well worth the money.Real Ale selection limited to Butcombe or Butcombe on my visit but at least it was well kept.You would be hard pushed to find a more peaceful, apart from the wasps, or delightful garden anywhere.
8 Sep 2010 15:45
Paid a return visit for dinner with friends. Pint of Doom Bar flat and disappointing. Food very good, nicely cooked and presented. The internal decor was quite dark and depressing, a lick of bright paint would be helpful. Also, soft furnishings would help to soften the noise as wooden floors and scrubbed tables have a tendency to be rather"echoey". Overall, one of the better places to eat in this area.
12 Aug 2010 21:53
Not a place to visit if you dislike Wadworth`s beer. Friendly welcome, reasonably-priced pub style food. Decor remains a little old-fashioned. Garden looked well-kept with plenty of tables. Worth a visit.
7 Aug 2010 10:49
Called in for lunch. Nice pint of Doom Bar.The food was quite expensive for what is was although the quality was very good.The girl behind the bar was chatty in spite of being on her own and having to dash all over the place serving food.She did apologise for the delay in getting the food on the table which with two granchildren ,6 & 4, in tow was not a relaxing experience.At least they couldn`t do too much damage in the garden which bordered on the scruffy side of neat. A pleasant enough time to merit a return visit.
28 Jul 2010 16:21
What a difference a year makes or more accurately a change of ownership.The place is now clean the food and beer very good and the toilets refurbished.The barman and waitress were both welcoming and cheerful. A shower of rain when we arrived kept us indoors but a quick look into the garden when we left revealed somewhere neat and tidy and a nice place to enjoy a drink or meal on a warm day.Welcome back the Blue Ball.
22 Jul 2010 08:40
Nice old building in a pictureque little Devon village.Although we were quite early for lunch we were warmly welcomed and I enjoyed a well kept pint of Otter Amber. We both had fish cakes which were mostly fish with very little filler.The only slight downside were the chips which were a touch soggy for my liking.The only member of staff on view was friendly and helpful.
7 Jul 2010 16:30
The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague
We ate here at lunchtime and had a most enjoyable experience. The staff were pleasant and efficient and the food was some of the best we have had for a long time.It was nicely presented and tasted even better.The view from our terrace table was over the adjoining peaceful countryside. Not the cheapest but quality doesn`t come cheap. Well worth the visit.
1 Jul 2010 07:47
The Devonshire Arms, Long Sutton
The place was totally empty when we visited. A nice if somewhat formal garden with plenty of space and a friendly dog.We both had a ploughmans which was excellent value for money with plenty of cheese and ham and bread plus other bits and pieces plus possibly the best chips for miles around.The only criticism was the temperature of the beer, much too cold for a bitter.Friendly staff just a shame about the lack of customers.
18 May 2010 20:33
A pleasant place with polite efficient staff.The food, though slightly expensive for a pub, was very good.My pint of Donningtons was ok but nothing special.This is a place well worth a visit.I would advise either arrive early or make a booking
14 May 2010 09:22
I can remember when this was a busy welcoming little pub.We decided after a quick look around that a ploughmans would be the safest bet. The food that arrived was ok apart from tastless cheese.The place much in need of a clean with grubby tablecloths and almost as much food on the adjacent radiator as on the plate.The landlords aim in life appeared to be to frighten customers away. On a cold day a fireplace with a fire and not just yesterdays dead ash would have been an improvement. The lone plus point was the pleasant attitude of the young waitress.
5 Feb 2010 15:12
Had lunch here today. Husband and Wife team could not have been friendlier. The place looked very smart and clean and my pint of Cheddar Ales Potholer was in excellent condition. We both had the soup of the day, wild mushroom and thyme, and it was delicious.One main of braised beef and another of pork belly were also first class as was the dish of fresh mixed veg. The newish owners seem to be doing a great job and deserve to make this a successful little country pub
21 Jan 2010 16:44
A proper pub with with locals sitting around supping their pints and dogs enjoying the company.Friendly helpful staff and a good selection of food on the blackboard menu with many of the items available as starters or mains. The freshly cooked food was most enjoyable but the price was reflected in the quality Although not cheap it was well worth the money.
7 Aug 2009 20:39
The Waldegrave Arms, East Harptree
Lunchtime visit July 09
Friendly landlady although being on her own the service was very slow.We chose the Waldy board which in spite of being a somewhat strange mix was perfecly acceptable. The beer, Cheddar Ales Gorge Best, was first class.It must rate as one of the finest local ales available in the area.
1 Aug 2009 22:06
Lunch visit July 09
We were given a very courteous welcome and were shown straight to a table. This recently reopened place is now more restaurant than pub.The food was quite upmarket with prices to match.
1 Aug 2009 21:51
Lunchtime visit july 09
The welcome by the staff was non existant.No problem with the beer.Menu choice ok maybe for walkers but otherwise poor.Even in a poor light the place looked scruffy with stained cushions and menu cards.Out of desperation we chose ham egg and chips ( can`t go far wrong ). The ham was excellent eggs ok but chips undercooked.Two black coffees were lukewarm and barely half a cup at �1-90 each.Ladies and Disabled toilets (Gents out of service ) had wet floors and dirty towels and the disabled was full of clutter.
What a waste of a nice building in a lovely setting. Not somewhere I would pay a return visit.
1 Aug 2009 21:36
Back to mangelwurzler's profile
The Vobster Inn, Lower Vobster
Place very quiet on a Saturday lunchtime. Poor choice of real ale only Butcombe on offer but worth a visit for the excellent food especially if you like fish.
4 Nov 2013 19:51