This page will provide a view of the pubs and restaurants we’ve visited over the time I write this blog. The rating system is the same as before and the information will still be contained within the pages of the blog.
- Ciao Baby Cucina, Basingstoke (4/5) – very tasty Italian menu, lovely selection of dishes, and fantastic waiting staff (mainly from South Africa). We had the chicken and red pepper lasagne and the gnocchi with veal bolognese – yummy. The house white was rather good too. Much better than the other chain in the same block of restaurants. Do a search on Ciao Baby on google…you’ll be surprised where its sister branches are.
- Old Thai House, Camberley (4.5) – first class Thai food – oh, wait, I’ve said that before, but no, I mean it. Great little restaurant in a very odd location. This place is more suited to couples dining, than the Sri Siam Food Gallery as it’s a lot smaller. The food is superb…
- Sri Siam Food Gallery, Virginia Water (4.5/5) – first class Thai food. Lovely selection of dishes, great waiting staff and a wonderful atmosphere. Recommended for birthdays, entertaining business clients, fun meals out, or just because! Try the lamb massamam…
- Ask, Basingstoke (2.5/5) – Hmmm, what to say…? Funny waiters? Food ok? Cheap & cheerful food at cheap and cheerful prices…hmmm, maybe. If a chain is the only option, then it might as well be this one? I’m being unkind…aren’t I? Sorry…here’s the story – the restaurant had problems with deliveries, so lots of items were out-of-stock…the card machines didn’t work well, and the food didn’t blow any of us away (read average.)
- The Mogul, Bagshot (4.5/5) – Fantastic “local” Indian restaurant with some less well-known dishes on the menu. Passing the Mogul on the A30 many times probably means you drive by and don’t think about it…well, it’s time to book a table (and you will have to book, especially at the weekend) and let the waiters and chef take care of you. Fantastic food, great prices, great atmosphere – well recommended! Oh, and they do takeaway too…
- Peacock Farm, Jennets Park, Bracknell (4/5) – Girls night out to this new restaurant in Bracknell. It’s a lovely place, part of a chain, but you don’t get that feeling until the menu arrives, but it’s not a criticism of the menu. There’s a good selection of dishes – lots of choose from – and a selection of dishes of the day (look for the blackboard). My only problem was finding something as a starter… For the main course I had beef stroganoff and enjoyed every mouthful…but it was a difference interpretation of a stroganoff…try it, see what you think. All the other girls thoroughly enjoyed their dinners: including starter, main and pudding – which for a group of weight watchers is not bad going!NOTE: Phone number is 01344 423 481…
- The waiting staff are fantastic.
- Shepherd’s House, Moss End (4/5) - I’ve been there many times before – and it is pretty consistent. As a chain pub (Chef and Brewer), it’s more upmarket than some of the others around here so it gets 4/5. Their menu selection is pretty scary – as there are 4 or 5 menus to choose from – but the food is tasty, hot and the staff are efficient and pleasant. Worth a visit at lunch time.
- The Fox Restaurant, Fox Corner (near Pirbright) (2.5/5) – Impressive looking venue, with a reasonable car park in a good location. We DID NOT eat in the restaurant, but in the bar, so whether the restaurant can be rated differently, I don’t know…The good was average at best. I had fish pie – which I love generally – this version lacked something. I can’t put my finger on it…I know it’s unfair to judge a place on a single experience…but I won’t be rushing back to this one.
- The Old Manor, Bracknell – (2.5/5) – It’s a Wetherspoons pub, so the usual menu is available. Good for a cheap lunch and good if there’s a group of you wanting a quick lunch. A selection of beers and wines, but nothing extraordinary.
- The Stag & Hounds, Binfield – (4/5) – Really good food, nice garden, small corners inside to hide in. Guest ales on the day we went included Waggledance…yum. Menu was pretty good too – offers a selection of modest/substantial plates. Well worth a visit and of course, no smoking throughout!
- The White Hart, Winkfield(?) – (4/5) – Good food, nice menu, changes regularly. Seems to be a big lunch time trade – worth a visit. Apparently there’s a nice garden for al fresco dining, but it rained the day we were there. Small & quaint!
- The Plough and Harrow – Winkfield (?) – (3.5/5) – Good food, nice atmosphere, friendly and very welcoming landlord. Only 3.5 – not through their food, but through our choices of things that had already sold out. We all ended up with the same things off the menu – so can only vote on what we had. All very good – all very reasonably priced, and all very large portions. The homemade chips were just like the homemade chips of my childhood – very more’ish! (If my sis is reading this, then they were “Dad chips”). Will definitely go back to see what the other food is like.
- E & O, Notting Hill, London – (4.5/5) – Great place just off one of my favourite residential streets in Notting Hill. The food is kind of Japanese meets fusion. It was fantastic – try the blackened cod for a main, and share edamame beans to start. I didn’t do the dessert, but my host for the evening had the chocolate fondant – it was divine, though not Japanese or fusion! I would definitely go back. They also have Billecarte Saumon Rose on the champagne list…
- The Cricketers, Winkfield(?) – (3/5) – Ahem…not as good as it once was. This place had a reputation for good food, excellent bbqs in summer and a good atmosphere. It’s not like that now… Let’s watch and see what happens, but don’t rush back…
- The White Hart, Pirbright – (4/5) – Good selection of standard menu items and specials. We’ve been on two occasions and have had different experiences each time. I think the food, service, and ambience are better when there aren’t too many people standing around.
- The Boot, Bracknell(?/5) – don’t feel I can really comment on the pub, as we sat outside…but it seemed to be an interesting place. There was a biker wedding happening inside (or so I’m told)… And an interesting crowd on the patio! But the most interesting thing of all is the description of the pub on :http://www.beerintheevening.com/I’ll let you judge…
- The Warren (Bullfinch), Binfield - (4.5/5) We did venture to the Warren a few weeks ago and I rate it at 4.5/5. It’s not quite a 5/5 as it is a little on the pricey side for a lunchtime venue. I’ve been there for dinner before now…it was fabby. Phone number 01344 304446.
- The Olde Leatherne Bottle (3.5/5), Barkham – Another Chef and Brewer like the Shepherd’s House. Food was pretty good, but not as well assembled as its sister pub. Menu selections vast…
