Origins, Great Missenden

As much as I like the idea of this place, it doesn't live up to expectations. It's trying far too hard to be 'trendy' with the mad coloured flashing lights and daft furniture. The food is good, but it's just a bit naff frankly.

I should add that I am perhaps Origins 'target audience' - a stay at home mum in my mid thirties that regularly meets other girlfriends for lunch, but none of us liked this place and we won't be returning.

5 Sep 2011 13:35

The George and Dragon, Swallowfield

We had heard very good things about the food at The George & Dragon, so popped along for lunch one day. The menu is absolutely fantastic, full of delicious sounding food but sadly it didn't live up to our expectations.

We both ordered crab sandwiches, but there was barely any crab in them at all - it seemed to be just bread and mayonnaise! Having said that, because the menu is so good and the pub is lovely, we will probably try it again soon for a dinner.

5 Sep 2011 13:31

The Bull, Arborfield

Despite moving in to Arborfield several months ago and it being at the end of our road, we had not yet visited The Bull due to the 'anti-children' reputation it had.

We wanted to find a pub to have a family Sunday lunch at, and looked at The Bull's website - we were delighted to see that its reputation is out of date, as it has recently changed hands and is now marketed as a 'family friendly' pub with its own children's menu. So, we went for lunch yesterday with our two young children, and some other family members.

We all had a roast, which was absolutely excellent. Not a soggy overcooked vegetable in sight! I had the roast beef, which was so tender and perfectly pink and everybody else said theirs was wonderful as well. The beer/wine was good, the interior was very nicely decorated, and the staff were friendly and polite.

My only criticism of it would be that the rest of the menu is a bit '1980's Harvester', (full of things like stuffed mushrooms, prawn cocktail, scampi, etc) so it could do with a bit of updating as it's rather old fashioned. That said, if the food is as good as the roast we had, it wouldn't put us off too much!

We will definitely be back, and look forward to visiting The Bull again.

5 Sep 2011 13:21