New Inn, Portland

My heart always sinks when you walk inside to be greeted by a contemporary interior (including really high chairs at the modern tables) and youths in black shirts behind the bar.
Two real ales on from Ringwood - rebranded Best and Fortyniner. The best was sponsored by Sarsons and the barman readily admitted it had been on a long time and was near the end of the barrel. Fortyniner tasted better but cos it's not normally my cup of tea I wasn't certain about it. Still, I drank it. That and a G & T cost north of £9! Ridiculous considering what part of the world we were in.

Anyway, majority of customer base seems to be older and aiming for the large restaurant area at the back. Food looked expensive and we decided to leave. I'll give it 4/10. This was our second duff pub on Portland that day.

We ate in an art gallery back down the hill. It had wonderful food with good prices and a sea view! They even let me have a beer from the Co-op on a BYO basis. Pity the art gallery people don't run a pub.

17 Nov 2015 22:03

The Cove House Inn, Portland

I'm sure that on a warm sunny Spring day you could sit outside on the benches and soak up the view and the atmosphere. However on a windy Sunday lunchtime in Autumn it doesn't really work.
There's just two tables in the central proper pub part of the building. The rest is all given over to dining tables. Lucky for us we got there at noon and got one of the two tables. Someone already occupied the other one.
Got a half of overly cold Doom Bar that tasted like the pump hadn't been pulled through that morning.
A family came in with a dog and were clearly put out that there wasn't a table free. Dogs only allowed in centre of pub. Then some others came in with a dog - ditto problem.
Had a pint of Doom Bar that tasted OK as others had ordered some by now.
First dog started yapping at second dog. Really annoying. Non existent atmosphere deteriorated further.
We changed plans and decided to leave. There was a scramble to get the table we were vacating. Could hardly get out for them now blocking the way. As we left the two groups were starting to argue over who should now have the table.

They could ban dogs inside. That'd help for a start. Pub is already rated 5.9 - I can't rate it lower due to the nice location. But it didn't feel like a six today. So I won't rate it.
We went somewhere else but it was no better unfortunately.

17 Nov 2015 21:46

The Poole Arms, Poole

A real gem of a pub. The only real one on the quay.
Good beers on these days (Proper Job and Double Drop plus Ringwood) and the food is fantastic. Friendly and efficient staff.
There's the usual Dorset arrangements with toilets (see previous review) - one for ladies and one for gents (it's outside accessed from the alley). A definite step back in time.
Overall a 8/10.

10 Nov 2015 22:39