The Greyfriar — Restaurant in East Hampshire

I really do not like adding less than positive reviews but I simply could not bring myself to not pass on my experience. I have a small service business myself and amd can only imagine that lower star review do hurt. HOWEVER I would prefer to know of issues that my clients may have had rather than not. Now for our experience at Greyfriars. First of all I must say that the staff were nice enough. It was quiet so we were served promptly. The food also came out speedily. This is when it all went down hill. The menu read well but I am afraid the food was seriously lacking. I had a potted beef thingy and horseradish and bread starter. This beef was rock hard and tasteless and the pot of horseradish was part frozen. Thebbread was nice! My wife's starter (feta walnut salad thingy I think) was equally as adequate and that is being nice about it. To be honest we make better at home. I had a burger for main. Now forgive me but how difficult is it to do a burger. It was OK to be honest but most certainly did not rock world and the chips, from a frozen bag perhaps?Perhaps I was just put off because of the starter? My wife had breaded halloumi with vegetable hash dish which was just lacking both in quatity and taste. Not sure how else to descibe it really. When you eat out you are cooked for by a chef that you hope offers you better or at least different than your normal daily home cooking. Not so in this case. When it came to desert we took a look but the choices were not awe inspiring. Again it may be that we were not exactly thrilled at this point so weren't feeling the puds. I reiterate the staff were fine and the pub was nice enough and quaint. Oh yes and my lagers were lush and the wife's wine was excellent. I have looked at the other reviews so do urge you to view those as well as this review to make your mind up. We may have just got them on a bad day / chefs day off that sort of thing. Would we go back or recommend well I don't think so as there are simply loads of pubs within the vicinity that we frequent that are, I am afraid to say much better....

My partner and I have just moved to Alton. We thought we’d try what is technically our local after a long walk with the pooches. I don’t often write review especially negative ones but I’m more than happy to write this one. I managed a pub for 10 years so I’m obviously going to be (to my detriment) possibly overly critical at times, not that I ever complain however this place is an establishment to be proud of.

From the second we walked in we were welcomed, all the staff were happy and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The manager squeezed us in even though we hadn’t booked and the service was prompt and professional. Well mannered locals enjoying a pint at the bar (exactly as it should be) and all the other diners appeared perfectly content. I think the only delay was us trying to decide what to order from their menu which clearly suggests skilled and experienced chefs in their kitchen. This pub could accommodate a quick pint and a plate of fish and chips from the bar menu or a nice bottle of wine from their extensive wine selection whilst sharing cote de boeuf for a more special occasion. I’m smiling whilst writing this review because It’s not often a pub ticks all the boxes for me and this one happens to now be on my doorstep. A proper friendly local pub! From wellies to waistcoats everyone we saw enter was equally welcomed.

Thank you and very well done...

Update… this review is for May 2023 and how different things are from June 2022! My rave review is below and I was so looking forward to returning. This was a special weekend away for my husband’s birthday and I feel let down and so disappointed. The menu is now second rate, normal and boring - steaks, ribs, fish and chips. Very different from the photos I have shared before. The batter on the fish was soggy. Everything bland. My husband left most of his. The tamarind ribs were quite harsh, not really a marinaded flavoursome rack as I thought they might be and the “slaw”… the chef should be embarrassed to serve it. It was warm and must have been sitting out for ages as the cut edges of the red cabbage and red onion were brown not white or translucent as when fresh. My recommendation - don’t bother! Look for a different venue. I’m so upset as it spoilt the last night of what was a special celebratory weekend. I have changed my review to 1 star from 5.

What a wonderful discovery. A real gen and the chef can cook up a storm!! Delicious doesn’t even come close to describing the delights we had for our evening meal. Every course was perfection. Beautifully presented and the perfect portion size. Excellence without arrogance. Could not fault it. We are in the village for a few days so hope...