The Sailors Return, East Chaldon

I have to disagree with the majority of reviewers here and say whilst the pub and drinks are fine, the food here was awful. Warning bells rang when I saw an advert stating 'massive portions' - further bells rang when I saw the huge menu of 30+ dishes.
Had a whitebait starter - not too bad, but the mains were abysmal. Sausage and mash - cheap economy sausages, overcooked on a bed of re-heated mash with stodgy packet gravy, and badly cooked starchy peas (how can you mess up peas???).
A rib and rump was equally badly cooked, plate piled high with chips (about the only edible item on the plate) and a horrid packet barbeque sauce, and why-oh-why a slice of orange in the salad garnish?(!).
The crowning moment was when the waitress grumpily cleared the table with a 'these finished?' rather than 'how was the meal?' - am sure even she realised how bad it was.
Sad to say this pub is as bad as any I have been to regarding food quality (pile 'em high with rubbish mentality) - am sure even the 'Sailors' would not wish to return here.

30 Oct 2006 11:19

The Weld Arms, East Lulworth

Visited this delightful little pub last weekend for a few ales and a meal since my first choice (the Castle in West Lulworth) was packed to the rafters. What a stroke of luck - whilst the range of the menu did not that appear spectacular, the food itself was well above the average for pub food. Well presented, very well cooked and extremely tasty. A hidden gem indeed.

30 Oct 2006 11:09