Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Pythouse Kitchen Garden Shop & Cafe
What a lovely setting Pythouse Kitchen Garden cafe is. We have only stopped there for a coffee & cake but I thought I would include a little entry here because we are definitely returning there on another sunny morning / day. Gorgeous surrounds and lovely service - just what we are looking for!
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
The Wild Garlic
The Wild Garlic ended up on my list of places to try when we heard it would be moving to Iwerne Minster. I chose to have my birthday lunch there a couple of weeks ago with my husband and son. It was lovely sunny day so I suggested sitting in the garden (before seeing it).
We had a quick look inside the pub and looks like it was nicely done up but I didn't visit previously so I don't know what it looked like before. The garden cannot really be called a garden, there are few picnic type tables in a small courtyard. But because it was such a lovely day I wanted to stay outside anyway.
We were served by a very friendly gentleman who was happy to come and take our orders outside including drinks. There was enough choice on the menu and we were advised they could make any portion on the menu smaller for the little man who dined with us. This suited us and the little man ended up ordering same as me!
We had a quick look inside the pub and looks like it was nicely done up but I didn't visit previously so I don't know what it looked like before. The garden cannot really be called a garden, there are few picnic type tables in a small courtyard. But because it was such a lovely day I wanted to stay outside anyway.
We were served by a very friendly gentleman who was happy to come and take our orders outside including drinks. There was enough choice on the menu and we were advised they could make any portion on the menu smaller for the little man who dined with us. This suited us and the little man ended up ordering same as me!
I chose bacon & chorizo pasta and my husband had a burger. Both options were very tasty. Service was excellent. But I would not choose the Wild Garlic on a gorgeous sunny day again because there are so many pubs with lovely gardens around here. However, the restaurant part of the Wild Garlic is not yet open so I would go back there on evening to test it once it's up and running because the bar food was lovely.
edit 03/07/2013:
I have been informed by Mat Follas that there are plans to improve the garden for next year with a kitchen garden and a pergola
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Chutneys
We tried our second local Indian restaurant on Saturday night. Chutneys had been recommended by few people and we finally got around booking a table and dining there on Saturday. Luckily I knew booking was needed as a couple was turned away in front us because they were full!
However, being full did not mean long waits. It was very friendly service and the staff had time explaining the dishes we hadn't heard of before. We shared a mixed platter for a started which meant we could try few different things. For main courses we went for something different too instead of the "safe" options. I had chicken Saag and my husband tried Badam Passandra. Both were lovely dishes and I must say having tried two Dorset Indian restaurants I am well impressed with their food (I have lived near the curry mile in Rusholme, Manchester and tried plenty of their curries). Chutneys was a good experience and we will definitely be visiting again. Just need to remember to book well in advance as they seem very popular!
However, being full did not mean long waits. It was very friendly service and the staff had time explaining the dishes we hadn't heard of before. We shared a mixed platter for a started which meant we could try few different things. For main courses we went for something different too instead of the "safe" options. I had chicken Saag and my husband tried Badam Passandra. Both were lovely dishes and I must say having tried two Dorset Indian restaurants I am well impressed with their food (I have lived near the curry mile in Rusholme, Manchester and tried plenty of their curries). Chutneys was a good experience and we will definitely be visiting again. Just need to remember to book well in advance as they seem very popular!
Friday, 7 June 2013
The Half Moon
It was one of those days a couple of weeks ago my husband was away and it was a nice evening and we had little food in the house I thought about eating out aloud at school run when another mum suggested the Half Moon. I had driven past it plenty of times but hadn't thought about stopping there.
It was weekday evening early on and it was quiet which suited me and the children well. Food was good and they had separate children's menu. Because it was quiet service was quick and friendly and I felt welcome turning up with two children on my own. I tried butternut squash crumble and children opted for macaroni cheeses. They had ice-creams to finish. It was very reasonably priced so there may be another time the children will be fed there midweek!
It was weekday evening early on and it was quiet which suited me and the children well. Food was good and they had separate children's menu. Because it was quiet service was quick and friendly and I felt welcome turning up with two children on my own. I tried butternut squash crumble and children opted for macaroni cheeses. They had ice-creams to finish. It was very reasonably priced so there may be another time the children will be fed there midweek!
Larmer Tree Gardens
On a gorgeous sunny summer's day the Larmer Tree Gardens cafe has been just a fabulous. I have been there twice recently and definitely going again while the sunshine lasts!
I popped in for a lunch with friend and her daughter and my son few weeks ago. Service was very friendly and we had lovely sandwiches and tea. The peacocks are a bit too friendly and there are lots of them outside. There's an option to sit inside tho. We were there to "investigate" an option to arrange a surprise afternoon tea for friend's birthday. They seems happy to cater for our needs so...
This week we had lovely afternoon tea birthday party for our friend. Larmer Tree Gardens did a fabulous job catering for it and letting us having tables on the lawn and enjoy the sunshine with some bubbly, sandwiches, cakes and tea. They were very accommodation for everything we asked and there have such friendly service. I would definitely recommend them if anyone fancies lovely afternoon tea. And the gorgeous sunshine was a bonus this week in a lovely setting.
I popped in for a lunch with friend and her daughter and my son few weeks ago. Service was very friendly and we had lovely sandwiches and tea. The peacocks are a bit too friendly and there are lots of them outside. There's an option to sit inside tho. We were there to "investigate" an option to arrange a surprise afternoon tea for friend's birthday. They seems happy to cater for our needs so...
This week we had lovely afternoon tea birthday party for our friend. Larmer Tree Gardens did a fabulous job catering for it and letting us having tables on the lawn and enjoy the sunshine with some bubbly, sandwiches, cakes and tea. They were very accommodation for everything we asked and there have such friendly service. I would definitely recommend them if anyone fancies lovely afternoon tea. And the gorgeous sunshine was a bonus this week in a lovely setting.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
The Queens Arms
The Queens Arms must be the pub we have received most recommendations for so we finally booked it for the bank holiday Monday.
It was a glorious sunny spring day so I phoned the pub again in the morning and asked if they could reserve us an outside table as I had already made a booking previously. Unfortunately they said they could not reserve outside tables, they were first come first served basis.
We got to the pub just after 1pm and on a day it was on Monday there were no outside tables - actually there were people sitting on picnic blankets outside! We were shown to our table and had sort of outside feeling as all the doors were open but it really was a day for outside lunch.
They were extremely busy it seemed (outside - inside was pretty empty) and the waitresses apologised for this quite a few times. We had children with us but we were given four normal menus. I asked about smaller portions or children's menus. I was advised what may be on the children's menu and eventually was given the children's menu to have a look at and was expected to decide for children's choices straightaway.
Children chose their meals quickly (they know what they like). I wasn't sure what to have but went for asparagus which was recommended after I couldn't decide between two dishes. My husband had ploughman's and he said that was his second rubbish ploughman's he has had in Dorset now. No further comments from him. Kids liked their macaroni cheeses and were happy playing outside on the patio after they had finished their food.
Kids had ice creams and sweets for dessert. Both me and my husband decided to skip desserts as they were so busy.
I must say that the Queens Arms did not live up to the expectation I had after quite few people had recommended it. I know it was a very busy day we were there but the staff was not very knowledgeable about children's food and what was included. They kept apologising for being busy - but surely that's a good thing for a country pub these days? Just need to have staff that can cope with the pressure?
It was a glorious sunny spring day so I phoned the pub again in the morning and asked if they could reserve us an outside table as I had already made a booking previously. Unfortunately they said they could not reserve outside tables, they were first come first served basis.
We got to the pub just after 1pm and on a day it was on Monday there were no outside tables - actually there were people sitting on picnic blankets outside! We were shown to our table and had sort of outside feeling as all the doors were open but it really was a day for outside lunch.
They were extremely busy it seemed (outside - inside was pretty empty) and the waitresses apologised for this quite a few times. We had children with us but we were given four normal menus. I asked about smaller portions or children's menus. I was advised what may be on the children's menu and eventually was given the children's menu to have a look at and was expected to decide for children's choices straightaway.
Children chose their meals quickly (they know what they like). I wasn't sure what to have but went for asparagus which was recommended after I couldn't decide between two dishes. My husband had ploughman's and he said that was his second rubbish ploughman's he has had in Dorset now. No further comments from him. Kids liked their macaroni cheeses and were happy playing outside on the patio after they had finished their food.
Kids had ice creams and sweets for dessert. Both me and my husband decided to skip desserts as they were so busy.
I must say that the Queens Arms did not live up to the expectation I had after quite few people had recommended it. I know it was a very busy day we were there but the staff was not very knowledgeable about children's food and what was included. They kept apologising for being busy - but surely that's a good thing for a country pub these days? Just need to have staff that can cope with the pressure?
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
The Hunter's Lodge Inn
We stopped at the Hunter's Lodge Inn last year when we were househunting around here. It was very conveniently located for our searches just off the A303. Their play area must be one of the best ones around here if dining with a family.
Food was usual pub food, we didn't choose the pub for just food as it was more about the location that made us choose to stop at the Hunter's Lodge Inn last year. Kids were well catered for and staff was very friendly and attentive. I guess this was the start of our exploring the area. I would recommend this pub for anyone with kids, especially on a sunny day because of the play area they have. Their website displays the play area and the animals they have very well! So far we haven't been back there but I would think one summer's day we will.
Food was usual pub food, we didn't choose the pub for just food as it was more about the location that made us choose to stop at the Hunter's Lodge Inn last year. Kids were well catered for and staff was very friendly and attentive. I guess this was the start of our exploring the area. I would recommend this pub for anyone with kids, especially on a sunny day because of the play area they have. Their website displays the play area and the animals they have very well! So far we haven't been back there but I would think one summer's day we will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)