please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I stopped in for a pint on a walk, and had a decent pint of Ringwood. The staff were friendly. The inside of the pub is a bit short of character, but it has a large beer garden next to the cricket field, perfect for a sunny day. Cannot comment on the food as didnt eat here
|
Lunctime food very good choice and quality and not too pricey, first pint of Ringwood only just acceptable second one, Flack Catcher better but not brilliant, above average prices for beer, great garden, boring lounge bar, nice locals bar, bright conservatory for eating, handy location country pub, I probably will not not go again for a while as I am fussy about my real ale but recommended for lager drinkers or anything other than real ale (I accept I may have been unlucky and report only based on one visit).
|
Our walking group stopped off for lunch yesterday. The Compasses is set in a beautiful area with lots of delightful walks on the doorstep. My report echo's much of what has been said in previous reviews. Good range of well kept real ales. Pretty good food, 'Christine loved the chicken', a bit stingy on the portion of vegetables which are charged separate from the main meal. The desserts were well received but overall I felt the food was slightly overpriced. I had the ham & it was not the best I have ever tasted. 'If you want really good ham,egg & chips try the Radnor Arms in Nunton.' Plus points, very good garden area & friendly staff. Downside, the pub just lacked a bit of atmosphere. I agree with the current rating & give it 7.5
|
Found the public bar after trekking through the compact lounge bar. Wooden floorboards and more seats in the public bar, 4 beers, Doom Bar, Tribute Ringwood Best and 49'r on handles in both bars.. My Tribute was superb. Bar snacks tasty and good value, service very good. Will try the public bar entrance next time.
|
Stayed here for the second time this year for the night. Beer really good, with Sharps Doom Bar and St Austell Tribute on as well asa couple of ales from the local Ringwood brewery, and food excellent (particularly recommend the wood pigeon). Bedrooms are little timeworn but comfortable, and a big plus is the landady Linda who is extremely engaging. Will certainly be back.
|
Went here recently (Sept 09) during the week and spent a lovely, lazy lunch sat in their superb garden. Food was tasty (yes, a little pricey but to be expected given the quality) and had a cheaper bar menu. Had couple of Ringwood beers (49'er & BB) on tap and another guest beer (can't remember the name) plus a couple of ciders.
Also serve cream teas at the weekend :)
|
wow wat a change at this lovely pub!! so satisfying to see it has moved on and is getting the customers back. we satayed for the bank holiday weekend in august (and were we in for a treat)friday night chefs tasting evening was superb i havnt eaten food of this quality outside london for years, saturday beer festival and bbq ,brilliant atmophere and live bands all day,sunday hog roast with even more live music in the evening a really enjoyable weekend!!!
|
Have just had an awesome weekend at this pub. We went on the friday night for the chef's tasting evening....amazing food and 6 courses for �19.95.! Went saturday and sunday to their beer festival. Fantastic beer kept to perfection, bright sparkling and a great choice. Found out it is young lady in charge of the cellar and beers. Well she sure knows what she is doing!
Had a great bbq and hog roast and watched two brilliant bands. This place is really moving on....well done!
|
So much has happened since the last review. Suffice to say that the pub is much improved in many ways.
Yes, it can still take 20 minutes to get served a drink (even when there are 3 people working the bar and no other customers) and there is the odd time when you will come across a less than welcoming member of staff, but this has been the case for many, many years and may never change, just a quirk of the pub I guess and one that you allow for when everything else is working well. In contrast there are a few members of staff who are so welcoming and hardworking that it makes up for those who are less than.
The guys in the kitchen continued to do their best under tremendously difficult circumstances but the lack of management and leadership they received made it impossible for them to do their jobs properly. It is a credit to the original Chefs that the business has survived to this point.
A Head Chef has now been employed and kitchen team now have the guidance and inspiration they need to turn out consistently good food, the menu has been changed and the new HC�s influence and experience is benefiting customers and his colleagues alike. By all accounts the food is now fantastic (if not a little expensive).
There are regular Tasting evenings and the Pie Night is proving to be a success � however it is a little sad that portion sizes have shrunk since the first Pie Night making it less of a good value evening. Sadly events are often not advertised outside of the pub or are only advertised at the last minute, still a well kept secret for some!
When it comes to bar snacks the Whitebait in particular goes down well with locals, however after this proving popular the prices were put up and of course this has made people think twice about ordering it now. Most people are feeling the pinch so more effort should be made to make the food more accessible to locals and not just those in the green-welly-well-off brigade.
Prices and value for money are important and people shouldn�t get complacent just because the food is proving popular and business seems to be on the up. There is a reason why other local pubs and pubs across the country have offers on food in the current climate.
Still, much improved and it�s nice to see the place busy again. It is in a beautiful location and is well worth a visit!
booty - 28 Apr 2009 13:28 |
We�re from Huddersfield and have only visited twice (consecutive days in Oct 2008), so can�t comment on what it used to be like which seems to be the main bone of contention amongst the locals / other reviewers.
The first pint of Summer Lightning was off. We complained, got the barrel changed, received an apology and the beer was excellent.
We returned to eat the next day. Food was great for me & wife, not cheap but southern prices I expect. One criticism � cold plates.
Nice pub, restaurant & people. We�d certainly go back.
|
So sad to see a very enjoyable country pub fall so far in such a short space of time. I feel so sorry for Trevor and James who between them had built up a really very good pub, only to see it dashed in the hands of idiots. It is extraordinary that Alcatraz should treat the staff so abominably � not speaking to them when they arrived is unbelievable !! Thankfully they have now left � they didn�t even say goodbye, but that was clearly no hardship to the staff who were very glad to be rid of them.
I went there the other day to have a cheese and tomato sandwich, something I�ve enjoyed there over many years, but I was surprised to see it arrive with CHIPS!! This put a �3 sandwich up to �6 � not long ago I could have had a pint and a sandwich there for under a fiver � however, the sandwich was as I remember so I think things are improving.
|
At last someone that smiles behind the bar!!
Popped in the other day to see if had anything different - no refurb yet - although they have sadi they will keep the local side similar - but who knows!
The land lady is so friendly and welcoming and i'm sure when the place is back on its feet it will be 10x better than it was! The place seemed alot more growded too for a sunday!
They have a new extension out the back - a beautiful timber framed conservatory! - Which looks like they are holding partys in as it was all decorated with flowers and balloons!
Even better for the locals is it will be open all day on a Saturday soon!
|
Well the rumours are true, a brewery has taken over and the previous landlord has now gone. There are no truer words than �you don�t know what you�ve got til it�s gone� as he will be sorely missed, I suspect even by those who would have bet their life against it.
Change is always difficult to take but when you can see your traditional country inn going the way of so many others it is a particularly bitter pill to swallow. Especially as there has been no consultation with the villagers/regulars as to their opinion, but hey � we are a captive audience with no other pub within 3 miles or so.
The Compasses has a wonderful look and feel to it, I disagree that it is run down and shabby � it just has the character that an establishment of that age should have. Of course rumours abound as to the changes that will be made to the layout but it seems almost certain that the public and lounge bar will merge to become one which is a travesty � it was so refreshing to still have the separation, relaxed atmosphere, as well as dog and welly friendly option of the public bar.
The initial take over has been a shambles; existing staff are working without taking their days off and they have no idea how long this is going to go on for. They will also be pushed from pillar to post whilst refurb is undertaken.
The Chef�s and previous landlord have worked so hard to build up their reputation for good food and it is sad to see this will probably be erased with the introduction of a �new� (and I use the term loosely!) menu later on in the year � oh yes, another pub serving generic bland food despite the talent and passion the chefs possess.
The locals have tended not to eat in the pub too often as yes, admittedly the prices were a little high � however, the bulk of the pubs customers are people who travelled there from outside the village just for the food � they wont continue to do this once the new menu is introduced so they will loose money.
Damerham is a small village with little or no passing trade so the food reputation is vital. Hopefully the new owners will realise this isn�t the place for a townie pub before it�s too late.
Rated 10 for how it used to be, lets see what happens.
|
Used to be my local - i agree with everything ppl above have commented on e.g price bein very expensive and some of the staff very rude and un-friendly, also found that they are very slow at serving you and will finish their chat with someone before coming to serve you! Have been known to wait for a long time before being served! The locals are very friendly to anyone that comes in and are the most welcoming thing about the pub if i'm honest! Fodd although its expensive is delicious - but doesn't need to be so expensive! The landlord is the lest friendliest - i couldn't believe how rude he is to some ppl that came in and could be guests or paying to have a meal - if i was them i wouldve just thought twice about ever going back! I have heard from a friend that i am visiting back there in august that there is a new land lady on her way and fingercrossed they will refurbish it as it is very tatty and a little run down - but would still be great if they kept the villagey pub look!
|
Great beer and fantastic food, generally a lovely atmosphere and would thoroughly reccomend a visit! The "locals" bar is brilliant, very friendly!
The staff are fantastic if you discount the rudeness of the particular barmaid that was on at the time of my last visit. Frankly it was embaressing and her rudeness wasn't limited to myself but also to another couple who were there at the time, all they asked for was a vodka, soda and lime! This isn't the first time I have been served by her in an unpleasant manner and it does put me off returning.
anonymous - 5 Jul 2007 13:44 |
fg
|
Pleasant pub, quite busy, friendly staff.
Food was good but overpriced. Beer was Ringwood and very good. Wine was a mix but nothing special by the glass, so a bit pricey.
1 x steak (�3 extra for sauce) and 1 x starter and 1 x fish main, plus 3 x glasses of wine and a pint for �55 is a bit strong. (�15 for a steak plus �3 = �18 for a sirloin whci was too much)
Parking was tight - car park full - and I suspect we'll not go back, as these prices aren't far off those of The Museum up the road in Farnham. However the menu here doesn't justify the price in my book.
I give it a 7, which is overall, as a village pub, I'd give it a 9 but over-charging for an average menu drags down the score.
|
Excellent beer and beer garden. Food was spot on. Seperate bar with a jukebox and pool table. Would visit more frequently but for its somewhat remote location.
|
well worth the drive out,get there early, gets very busy.more a resturant than a pub,but does have guest ales..
peter - 20 Feb 2004 15:10 |
An excellent village pub with a well presented garden overlooking a sports field The food is good and a varied selection of well kept real ales. A good 'locals' bar with friendly atmosphere. The lounge bar/restaurant seems always popular.
|
