We had Sunday lunch at the Cricketers at Shroton today. I asked Twitter earlier in the week for recommendations from locals as sometimes I think google does it own selection and may leave some good ones out depending on my search words.We bumped into our neighbour as we were leaving and he said that the Cricketers was worth a visit - our neigbour seems to have explored all the pubs around here and has recommended some to us, but as he has no children I'm not sure if all his recommendations are for food (and child friendly)!
There is just the pub in the village at Shroton and pretty much nothing else so no surprise it fills up quickly! I had booked a table and we arrived a little early but we were attended to and our children were noted as individuals (the future customers?). I noticed some colouring books and pencils at the bar, these were not offered to us but I assume locals know to just pick them up? However, it's the various idevices that keeps ours entertained until the food arrives and husband always looks for the (Sunday) paper!
Everyone was happy with their choices, I was only one having roast dinner. Kids menu had plenty to choose from. However, my husband's main course was missed on the original order and arrived 5 minutes after mine and the children's (no compensation was offered and we did not ask for it either). Food was lovely and plentiful. Kids portions were too large for our two (they mainly are). As the pub got busier the service got slower which I suppose can be expected on a busy Sunday. We all had desserts, kids chose ice creams, husband had treacle tart and I had coffee and vanilla pannacotta.
There is a village playground on the other side of the road; we stopped there afterwards. There were a couple of children playing without parents and they did inform us that "daddy was in the pub", but because of the road and car park to cross I think it would be few years before I would be happy leaving ours at the playground on their own for us to relax in the pub!
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
The Coppleridge Inn
This is another pub we visited in the summer soon after we had moved here. I used google search with "family friendly pub garden Dorset" words and the Coppleridge Inn was one of the pubs that came up.
It was a lovely summer Sunday so we chose a table in the garden near the swings where the kids played until the food came. Food portions were big (I think I should say huge as I don't often leave food!) and tasty! The garden was so nice we didn't really get to see much of the pub inside other than going to the bar to order the food. I'm not sure this comes close to becoming a regular, we'll have to wait and see what else Dorset has on offer I think!
It was a lovely summer Sunday so we chose a table in the garden near the swings where the kids played until the food came. Food portions were big (I think I should say huge as I don't often leave food!) and tasty! The garden was so nice we didn't really get to see much of the pub inside other than going to the bar to order the food. I'm not sure this comes close to becoming a regular, we'll have to wait and see what else Dorset has on offer I think!
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Stourhead Estate
I wasn't sure whether to include Stourhead on this but as it has become one of our favourite outdoor places around here I thought to list it even it is obviously more than just a place to eat. We have stopped at the Stourhead restaurant quite few times now but the pub (the Spread Eagle Inn) on the estate is still on our list to try.
I like National Trust places, you know what you are going to get: a great day out with good coffee and cakes / lunch. The restaurant at Stourhead is always a busy one but we have never failed to get a table in or out depending what we have wanted, they do the usual lovely cream teas and hot lunches. Kids are well catered for and they can choose the box to fill up with their choices if not choosing hot lunch.
Over the winter time the little cottage by the lake has been open serving hot drinks and little snacks - it has been a lovely stop walking around the gardens with the kids!
Stourhead must be one of prettiest National Trust places I have visited although from children's point of view there are a couple that beat Stourhead with their fabulous play areas (Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire and Attingham Park in Shropshire to mention couple which have the best play areas we have visited).
We must try the pub on the estate soon!
I like National Trust places, you know what you are going to get: a great day out with good coffee and cakes / lunch. The restaurant at Stourhead is always a busy one but we have never failed to get a table in or out depending what we have wanted, they do the usual lovely cream teas and hot lunches. Kids are well catered for and they can choose the box to fill up with their choices if not choosing hot lunch.
Over the winter time the little cottage by the lake has been open serving hot drinks and little snacks - it has been a lovely stop walking around the gardens with the kids!
Stourhead must be one of prettiest National Trust places I have visited although from children's point of view there are a couple that beat Stourhead with their fabulous play areas (Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire and Attingham Park in Shropshire to mention couple which have the best play areas we have visited).
We must try the pub on the estate soon!
Thursday, 10 January 2013
The Walnut Tree Inn
The Walnut Tree Inn is currently the only pub I have visited without any members of my family (stops at cafes do not count!) but I'll include here anyway as it's a family pub. I was invited for mums night out just before Christmas for a meal. We needed to make our food choices beforehand and as the other mums discovered I don't like deciding my choices of food days in advance - I don't know what I feel like having on the night! But I suppose pubs need to do this around Christmas time when big parties book in.
We had all chosen turkey as it was Christmas time and we all had to queue for it as it was set up same way they apparently set Sunday carveries (I prefer having my food brought to the table when I'm dining out). Dessert was very good, I had chosen panna cotta. I did not have a look at their normal menu but their website appears very good and informative and few people have said the Walnut Tree Inn is a good place with children.
We had all chosen turkey as it was Christmas time and we all had to queue for it as it was set up same way they apparently set Sunday carveries (I prefer having my food brought to the table when I'm dining out). Dessert was very good, I had chosen panna cotta. I did not have a look at their normal menu but their website appears very good and informative and few people have said the Walnut Tree Inn is a good place with children.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Turnbulls
This is another one which we found through a magazine and reviews - I just cannot remember which magazine, sorry! It was Saturday lunch time in the late summer when we visited Turnbulls cafe and it was busy!
It's a cafe in with a deli so kind of place my husband likes and was happy to try out. Me and the children were happy with our food and drinks and the service we had but my husband was little disappointed with his plougham's. He felt it missed the chutneys and usual things although cheeses were good. Another point was that for a small lunch it was little bit pricey feeding a family of four, but lovely setting still.
It's a cafe in with a deli so kind of place my husband likes and was happy to try out. Me and the children were happy with our food and drinks and the service we had but my husband was little disappointed with his plougham's. He felt it missed the chutneys and usual things although cheeses were good. Another point was that for a small lunch it was little bit pricey feeding a family of four, but lovely setting still.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Gillingham Tandoori
My husband's friend was visiting us for the weekend and somehow these things always seem to require curry & beer. We hadn't tried any Indian restaurants in Dorset yet so we had no idea where we should go. Google helped us and we decided to try Gillingham Tandoori last night.
I am not a great fan of Indian type of food but when it's cooked well (by my husband at home) I enjoy it occasionally. I didn't take photos as I don't think curries ever look great... We had chicken tikka masala and chicken lagan (new one I hadn't tried before) and a dansak dish with all the usual pilau rices, nan breads and onion bhajees.
I must say that this was one of the nicest curries (the lagan one) I have had. I actually enjoyed a curry! Husband says he really liked his chicken dansak (too hot for me). So if I feel like having another curry I would be happy return here.
I am not a great fan of Indian type of food but when it's cooked well (by my husband at home) I enjoy it occasionally. I didn't take photos as I don't think curries ever look great... We had chicken tikka masala and chicken lagan (new one I hadn't tried before) and a dansak dish with all the usual pilau rices, nan breads and onion bhajees.
I must say that this was one of the nicest curries (the lagan one) I have had. I actually enjoyed a curry! Husband says he really liked his chicken dansak (too hot for me). So if I feel like having another curry I would be happy return here.
Saturday, 5 January 2013
Salt Cellar
We hadn't planned to stay out until lunch time today but as we were still out we popped into Salt Cellar in Shaftesbury. We had stopped there for coffee & cakes previously so sort of knew what to expect. Lunch menu covered everyone's individual tastes (we had baked potato, sandwich and paninis) and we all had quick easy lunch topped with friendly service. Salt Cellar was not too busy but it's January, I would think it gets busier in the summer months due to its location on top of Gold Hill!
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