BITE user comments - Benjiboy
Comments by Benjiboy
Visited on 5th August 2010 on recommendation from one of my colleagues and was not disappointed. A traditional inn, a bit in the middle of nowhere. Staff very polite (some time since the wife and I have had anyone say "Good Evening Sir, Good Evening Madam" on arrival), friendly and smartly dressed, landlord chained to the kitchen and busy but still had time to talk to us on his way past! Beers well kept and refreshingly inexpensive, good range of food and good-sized portions. Nice atmosphere, doing a lot of things very right - even the website is kept updated with the latest menus and events.... a lot of licensees should go here and see how it should be done. Highly recommended, and will certainly revisit.
6 Aug 2010 16:59
Stumbled in sort of by accident in the third week of January whilst in Cornwall on holiday for lunch. After trying the HSD - by far the best pint I had all that week - and enjoying a satisfying, enormous and sensibly-priced lunch had to go back again that night for more. What can I say? Landlord and landlady were very friendly, seemed very pleasantly surprised to see me and the wife again so soon, and introduced us to a load of the locals who were also all very friendly. There is only one problem with this pub, and that is that it's 250 miles from my front door. Visit it as soon as you can - it is fabulous (although probably a bit busy in summer with that holiday camp only 300 yards away - suggest off season to appreciate the full and true effect!) I cannot find any other reason to fault it.
27 Feb 2008 21:53
Beer and food great here - I can't get enough of the Hunter's Chicken. Always seems to be busy but restaurant service is generally prompt. Very pleasant landlady, friendly chef/landlord. Large car park and beer garden, wish it was within walking distance so I could frequent it more!
10 Jun 2007 23:17
Three Horseshoes, East Worldham
Ate at this pub last night. The place was virtually deserted but the food and service was excellent. There were five real ales available (HSB, Butser, London Pride, Chiswick and Lancaster Bomber). The landlord was very friendly and was wearing a beautiful loud shirt (well, I like that sort of thing). The only thing I can fault them on is that they don't take American Express, but that's a minor issue. Worth paying a visit.
10 Jun 2007 23:10
Love this pub and make a point of lunching there whenever in Cornwall. Although the lighting is a bit dingy this is a "real" old pub with a good selection of Ales at a sensible price and an extensive menu that is incredible value for money, The staff have always been friendly and welcoming. Only drawback is the smoking in the bars - this is somewhat ameliorated by the open fire anyway and isn't going to be an issue after July 2007 (hurray!)
16 Feb 2007 19:36
The Quintrell Inn, Quintrell Downs
Went to this pub in January 2006 during my timeshare week in Newquay. The staff were really pleasant and the food superb and reasonably priced. The beer was well-kept (good old Betty Stoggs) and even the locals were nice to us tourists! Can't fault it (other than the decoration in the gents - a facelift is long overdue). If you're anywhere near Newquay you should give this place a try. The locals told me that the landlord has recently taken over and on this showing he deserves to do very well indeed. Wish I didn't live 250 miles away 'cos I'd go there a lot more often.
16 Feb 2007 19:29
My workmates have quite a few "dos" there on a Friday evening and after about 7pm it's not all that nice. Music is too loud which kills any conversation, beer not cheap - and often there's no real ale (or it tastes so awful you end up on John Smiths), and I have seen people come in off the street and charmingly drop their trousers on the way through the door. Yeah, I know it's not the pub's fault, but that's the kind of people it attracts. If you see me in there I have been heavily persuaded (or bribed).
28 Dec 2006 18:19
Nice food, good ales, pleasant atmosphere. Maybe a tiny bit on the pricy side but a pub I usually visit at least 2-3 times a year although it is a 50-mile round trip (which does sadly limit the potential for ale-sampling, unless I persuade the wife to drive). Definitely worth a try.
28 Dec 2006 18:09
The Three Wheat Heads, Thropton
A great place with a friendly atmosphere. The ales are well kept and reasonably priced, and the bar menu is extensive and reasonably priced (and it helps that the food is quick to arrive). The staff are friendly and efficient and you don't even get the locals all staring at you when you arrive. A truly great pub that I wish was my local. Sadly, it's almost 380 miles away from where I live, but I'm already looking forward to my next visit on holiday next year. While I was there a lot of other holidaymakers arrived who were making return visits, all were greeted with a "nice to see you again!" I don't know exactly what it is but this place has it. If you're in the area, you should visit.
21 Oct 2006 12:42
I'd agree that the refurbishment could have been a bit more comprehensive - simply painting it could not stop the Gents from being a bit gruesome - but I think that since taking over in August Mick and Farran are doing a good job. I've been in four times recently and enjoyed good food and a different guest beer on every occasion. The bar has been smartened up considerably, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It is the only pub in Alton that I eat in (at present). A couple of friends who are a bit older than me went for a meal and found the language in the bar a little ripe on a Friday night, but that's the clientele, not the pub. Give it a try on a weeknight, you may be pleasantly surprised.
9 Oct 2006 13:09
Since being taken over by David and Melanie (soon to be ex-The Golden Pot) in August 2006 the place has been smartened up no end. The real ales are far better now than the murky stuff that used to be served (David's cask marque obviously counts for something). Good beer, people who care... can you ask for much more? Well, food for a start. However even this is due to be started soon (no firm date as yet) and from past experience this will be superb. Sunday lunches are a must - you may think pricey at �7 but it is a very good sized portion. Go to this pub!
9 Oct 2006 11:12
The Three Wheat Heads, Thropton
Sadly closed last time I returned (October 2010), however was assured that it would be reopening in the next few weeks. Need to try again on holiday next year!
21 Oct 2010 14:26