BITE user comments - Phmoo
Comments by Phmoo
The George and Dragon Inn, Chichester
2 visits in two days? You must love it - or work there. ;)
30 Mar 2009 22:24
We saw that the Bosham Inn had passed from Beefeater to Vintage Inns, so decided, cautiously, to give it another go.
It was much, much better. Staff were better trained, the food was cheap but plentiful and good quality. There is a cheap one, two or three course lunch menu and a decent children's menu with healthy options and not just deep fried things with chips.
The decor is a lot nicer and overall it was a child friendly place, although more highchairs would be useful.
1 Mar 2009 20:47
New landlords - very reasonably priced food and a warm welcome.
1 Feb 2009 20:54
The George and Dragon Inn, Chichester
It's a bit crap now, sorry to say. The staff obviously think they are working in a classy establishment but it's a matter of style over substance. A shame.
1 Feb 2009 20:47
We go there regularly and the food and service are excellent. Still going strong under the new management with great seasonal food including a mutton stew that was gorgeous.
1 Feb 2009 20:45
Hilarious. Three "separate" posters include the words friendly, recommend and definitely, all spelt wrongly and the same way.
If a place has to fake reviews in order to win custom, there is something very wrong. Also, two consecutive people rated it exceptional.
The only thing exceptional is the cheek of some people!
1 Feb 2009 20:43
I've tried The Gribble several times. Everytime I think "another go...?" and everytime I leave disappointed. The beer is good. Perhaps that should be the only consideration?
On the toher hand, the food is dull and overpriced, the family room is dank and lifeless (even with children in it) and the whole pub in need of a fresh direction. A place can only trade on past glories for a limited period.
22 Sep 2008 21:16
The landlord isn't rude, although I can see why his sense of humour might not be to everyone's taste!
6 Aug 2008 12:02
Awful, awful, awful.
We went there yesterday for lunch. It was quiet but the food took 55 minutes to arrive. No one apologised or told us there would be a delay. Staff were arguing in the kitchen and it was audible.
When our food arrived it was burnt AND cold!
My Mother's gammon was so hard it was inedible.
The side orders failed to arrive until we had finished. They were also burnt and cold.
No one asked how our meal was. Probably because they knew what the response was!
When I came to pay I waited at the bar, unacknowledged for several minutes. I had to listen to the waitress talk about her social life to some regulars, and when she did finally serve me, she was rude. I was told to go and pay in the restaurant in a very surly manner.
It was the first time I had ever considered walking out without paying, but my conscience got the better of me.
A complete waste of money and precious life!
6 Aug 2008 11:59
I take it all back. The pub is now welcoming, with great beer and very good food. My only criticism is that the food is a little pricey, but no worse than local competitors.
The staff and owners are so welcoming, especially as we have a child who is made to feel very comfortable.
Service is swift, food is tasty, and the view over the Downs from the garden is superb.
A change for the better!
6 Aug 2008 11:54
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
Didn't try the food, but the cider was very good. A nice selection of real ale and loads of ciders.
The location is brilliant, with superb views and friendly chickens!
Pasties smelt lovely! Very friendly locals too.
11 Apr 2008 21:19
We stayed on the site. Really good real ale, family friendly and surprisingly good food.
Yes, it's not the most quaint of pubs, but the service, food and beer were all good.
11 Apr 2008 21:12
Bankes Arms Hotel and Country Inn, Studland
We went after a 5 mile walk and expected a good meal and a refreshing drink. Sadly, it wasn't to be.
My husband had ham, egg and chips, a pub staple. The ham was packaged, not off the bone, the chips were cold and grey, and there was only one egg, which for �8.50 is rubbish.
My ham and mustard baguette was okay, but too much mustard and nowhere near enough ham.
My daughter had fish fingers, which seemed to be just about the healthiest (!) thing on the extremely overpriced children's menu. Her fish fingers were grey inside and of a horrible texture. Her potatoes had black bits in too.
My husband's beer was good, and he even enjoyed the home brewed lager, which as a real ale drinker is high praise.
My pint of coke was actually see through and not coca cola. I can't believe a pub offers only cola off a multi tap - vile.
And, worst of all for a family pub - where were the high chairs? I had to feed my daughter on my lap, which is never easy, especially when she doesn't like the food.
I get so cross by people saying that the location is great so don't complain. Yes, the location is fantastic, breathtaking and awe inspiring. But that's not down to the pub is it?
The beer was good and so was the view. But avoid if you want a good feed.
To the user who says she loves the place but it gives her the squits...words fail me!
11 Apr 2008 21:10
The Crown and Anchor, Chichester
It's all very well saying sit back and enjoy the location, but when the pub is trading on it's location and being rubbish in the service and cleanliness department...
My tiny hot chocolate was not hot and cost �2.00. The staff were unsmiling and ungracious, it took a long time to get served, and I overheard several complaints about the food being cold.
Yes, the location is stunning, but this pub could be so, so much better then it actually is.
30 Jun 2007 23:14
Very friendly and pleasant pub in a great location. Excellent food and beer too.
20 Jun 2007 16:04
Good range of cheap drinks from around the world. Unfortunately, still the hygiene issue! Dirty glasses with lipstick marks and a dodgy tummy after a visit.
6 Jun 2007 15:36
The landlord's a little surly but the beer's good. Was Gales, now (of course) Fuller's.
6 Jun 2007 15:35
The Horse And Groom, East Ashling
We went there for a meal and the food was nice, nothing special. However, it was very overpriced and the waitresses weren't friendly.
6 Jun 2007 15:28
Very friendly and welcoming pub. Does excellent real ale and even has folk singing on the third Sunday of each month!
A true traditional British pub.
25 May 2007 08:26
Once a great pub, now sadly a place that serves salty food and not very well kept ale.
17 May 2007 17:44
Very friendly landlord and wife. Good locals pub that does nice beer but no food.
12 Nov 2006 15:01
In addition to my previous comment, the rib eye steak is the best you will ever taste!
11 Aug 2006 20:02
Since I last visited, it has turned into a scary chav paradise, with a very rowdy clientele.
Okay if you like that sort of thing, but the last two times I tried to go, there was an overspill onto the road outside, and a lot of stupid behaviour from people literally throwing themselves in front of cars for a "joke."
Police were also outside last time.
I can't comment on the food or drink as I wanted to get out alive!
11 Aug 2006 20:00
Very expensive beer and when I went in, not very friendly staff!
18 Feb 2006 15:00
Lavant once had three great pubs. The Royal Oak is now a "gastropub" i.e. it can charge over �10 for a posh sandwich. Overpriced but still tasty.
Not a place to go for a few drinks, as they prefer people to eat.
4 Dec 2005 17:36
I keep being dragged there by people.....stop!
Loathe it.
As Anonymous said, the toilets being upstairs leads to an unfortunate (depending on your point of view!) view up everyone's skirts.
Mind you, the clientele there tend to prefer belts rather than skirts on a Friday evening.
Haven't tried the food. I'm not stupid.
25 Sep 2005 17:32
Another trendy wine bar...sigh.
Characterless, but ideal place for a date if you want to "impress" a gullible young lady into thinking you are "sophisticated"
25 Sep 2005 17:30
The Middle House Hotel, Mayfield
Have eaten here many times. Excellent food, huge portions and a superb choice.
1 Sep 2005 17:27
The Coach and Horses, Chichester
Locals pub, so people tend to stare when you walk in!
Once you get past this, there beer is fine and they do pool and darts.
1 Sep 2005 17:12
Ate breakfast here and they forgot my fried egg!
How rude. ;)
Agree with Cobbo - is a trendy wine bar without real character but inoffensive enough.
1 Sep 2005 17:07
The Foresters Arms, Brockenhurst
Nice little place. Good pub grub.
Just finished a 5 mile walk so was desperate for a drink!
Shows cricket, which is always a bonus.
1 Sep 2005 17:05
Ate there today.
Absolutely huge portions.
The salt and pepper mussels were lovely.
Beautiful location.
The village shop is currently for sale for �975,000 if anyone's interested.
Would move there tomorrow if I won the Lotto!
1 Sep 2005 17:03
Nice location in a pretty New Forest small town.
Ate there last night. Lasagne was awful.
I couldn't finish it, which doesn't happen with me!
My husband had lovely, authentic paella though.
Excellent, spacious beer garden.
1 Sep 2005 17:01
One of the loveliest pub locations in Sussex, so it gets away with murder by trading on it's setting.
Go for a quick drink only, unless the food has miraculously improved recently.
1 Sep 2005 16:59
If you have a meal whilst playing skittles, chances are you'll need another one later, as the portions aren't overly generous, although tasty.
Having said that, a good pub with friendly atmosphere and a lovely skittle alley.
1 Sep 2005 16:56
Recently been refurbished - again!
Very good food.
Front bar is a little downmarket, but the newer seating areas are fine.
Carvery is monster sized and of good quality.
1 Sep 2005 16:52
Truly a meat market.
Packed, noisy.
You can't have a conversation with yourself, let alone any friends at weekends.
Only go there if you want to pick someone up.
Then again, it's not even good for that.
1 Sep 2005 16:50
The Smith and Western, Chichester
Great fun. Lovely staff. Expensive but gorgeous cocktails.
HUGE food - can anyone ever finish their plate?!
You also get to suck helium balloons such you want to.
Can get busy so do book at weekends and for large parties.
Gets VERY hot in summer so be warned.
You will leave with a smile on your face.
And a lollipop.
1 Sep 2005 16:49
Quiz night on Sundays is great, with a host who looks like Riker from Star Trek. Just don't slag off Arsenal near him!
Good beer - Badger - and friendly atmosphere.
1 Sep 2005 16:48
Hogshead has now closed and been replaced by Trents, a non-smoking bar and restaurant.
1 Sep 2005 16:47
Now it's gone non-smoking throughout, it's cleaner than ever.
Incredibly cheap, less busy than before.
Food still nothing special, but with prices this low, it's a great cheap start to a longer evening!
1 Sep 2005 16:46
Everytime I go near the White Horse I think "I'll give it another chance."
Everytime I am disappointed.
Last time I went there I was approached by someone I know who was only 15 but had fake ID.
I reported him (such a grass!) and the manager shrugged his shoulders, quite plainly not caring that this beer drinking, under age idiot had just sworn at five of his customers.
They claim to show sports, but everytime the cricket goes off for a break, the music comes on again, and you need to remind the sulky barmaid to turn the volume up on the sport.
Avoid unless you like spending your time in pubs where customers and staff compete for who looks the most miserable.
1 Sep 2005 16:45
Saw the fire! Sadly when they rebuilt it it retained the dodgy darkness that makes you feel you're going to be risking your life to drink there!
No mobile signal inside either! ;)
1 Sep 2005 16:39
The Hole In The Wall, Chichester
Very cheap both for food and drink. Sadly still a pub for chavs on the weekend.
1 Sep 2005 16:38
Used to be a wonderful hotel, now it's an overcrowded overhyped brasserie with mediocre food.
1 Sep 2005 16:37
Great food - traditional English and authentic Thai.
Quiet local, except during Chichester's Real Ale and Jazz and Glorious Goodwood, when it becomes lively and crowded.
Reasonably priced food, excellent beer (Gales pub.)
Bar billiards table too!
Very friendly. Central Chichester although it's off the main streets where the other pubs are, opposite a lovely park where cricket is frequently played.
1 Sep 2005 16:36
The Crown and Anchor, Chichester
Things seem to be improving. The formerly miserable barmaid who seems to have worked there for years now smiles and engages with the customers, which is refreshing, and the food has improved. It's still disappointing, but better than it was.
6 May 2009 21:04