The Woolpack Inn, Northington

I have to agree with ILBuono regarding the attitude of the landlord.

We have eaten in the Woolpack on two occasions and have friends who used to eat there regularly.
I think the staff gave it their all to begin with and now they really don't seem that fussed.

On our first meal there we ate in the restaurant and were really enjoying it until a red cord trousered family arrived at the table next to us with a few lap dogs. As I was sat on the bench seat I had to endure these dogs running over my coat and bag etc.
Had we have been seated in the bar I would have expected a few drinkers to have dogs with them but we weren�t.

The staff were all over this family which was embarrassing to watch.
The Mother just sneered at us when we asked if they could remove their animals from our laps.
I did make a point that although I do like dogs I don't really expect to share a table with one when I go out for a meal.

All became clear when I was informed by the landlady that they were the one of the investors and that there was nothing that could be done about it. The landlady mentioned this to the landlord who just shook his head at us and tutted as if we were being unreasonable which irritated us.
We asked to move and were seated in the bar area which wasn't really a problem but I was astounded that we weren't even offered a complimentary coffee for the inconvenience at the end of our meal. I probably wouldn�t have had a coffee but at least the thought would have been there and it would have cost them about 20p!
However we had enjoyed the food so booked again a couple of weeks later.

On this occasion I was really disappointed.
My food was burnt.
I had ordered hot smoked salmon and asparagus on toast as a starter.
This arrived and looked delicious until I took a mouthful. The whole of the underside of the toast was charcoal! There is no way that the chef wouldn't have noticed this which is what annoyed me.
The food is not cheap so you expect it to be good.
They perhaps thought 'sod it, send it out they'll never notice'. Seriously how much trouble would it have been to do another piece?
I didn't say anything as we were there with friends on our recommendation and I didn't want them to be disappointed.
My main course was not much to speak of really, not horrible but nothing I couldn't have anywhere. Nothing like the food we had enjoyed on our first visit. When we left we discussed it and none of us had really enjoyed it at all so we won't return.
I have had similar reviews from friends who stayed there and appeared to be a huge inconvenience to them at breakfast time.
It seems a real shame as it could be fantastic.

If you are after good food and a nice atmosphere, drive down the road to the Purefoy Arms in Preston Candover. They serve excellent food and also have a good selection of beers and wine.

9 Sep 2010 17:19