The Elm Tree Inn — Restaurant in Fareham

It is with great disappointment that I write this. We were aware the landlady runs a tight ship and have always respected that children are welcome in the restaurant and one of the bars. There is nothing to say children are not welcome. So a few years ago our son chose to have his birthday meal here and she couldn’t do enough for us, it was great and we have popped back with the children a couple of times and sat in the beer garden which is nice on a sunny day. Yesterday afternoon/evening we went for drinks with a few friends to celebrate a milestone. The kids (now well into their teens) said they would walk up and meet us. It wasn’t late. Only they were not made welcome despite me directing them to the bar that we were previously told, by the landlady that children could sit in. She was rude, dismissed our children, told them to leave (we saw none of this being in the other bar - and they were with an adult as well!) before approaching us and having a go! She doesn’t do ‘18-25’ and if they wanted a drink they were to go down the road to the pub that did. (My kids don’t like that pub!) Her behaviour towards us was unnecessary and uncalled for. She was very abusive and despite being confronted about her behaviour she continued to argue. Her language was coarse and she was eventually warned after getting physical , if she continued she would be arrested. Very stupid behaviour on her part! Despite her claims, this is not a family friendly pub. Not in the evenings anyway. Our children are well behaved, polite and sociable and this pub does attract a nice mix of people who we, as parents are comfortable our children being in the company of. However these clientele (selective it would seem) will not be around to prop up her bar forever and her attitude is alienating a generation who she will at some point in the future need to keeps her business afloat. This is not a free house and as much as I like the place it is let down by her inability to form good customer relations. Rude...

Visiting here after a two year break. We always try to visit as many pubs in the area as possible. This was the last one remaining in the area around Universal Marina.

Decided on the Friday morning to try this pub for a dinner. Had a look at the website to get an idea. To my absolute surprise they had some food offers. Namely £25 for two meals (on Tuesday and Friday it’s steak and on Wednesday it’s pie.) AND a bottle of wine (red or white)!

Somewhat curious we booked and arrived early (45 minute) and were greeted by a friendly barmaid who “checked” us in.

They advertise the pub food as good and home made. No doubt there! I would go as far as to say honest, tasty and exceptional value!

Served by Julie who was very friendly, polite and a credit to the pub. Also had the chance to meet the landlady, Lorraine, who is naturally very proud of her pub and today was doing the cooking.

The pub has a great ambience with a lovely eclectic decor. Great garden with plenty of seating. As to the food it was tasty and generous. Sirloin steak (cooked to your liking) served with chips, garden peas, mushrooms and half a tomato! Bottle of Merlot (I think). Extras like blue cheese sauce, onion rings etc are available.

Thoroughly recommend the place. Will be back and looking forward to the pie on...

My parents visited this pub today and have asked me to help them write this review (they never write reviews). They feel on this occasion it is necessary. They ordered a Macaroni Cheese (which was lovely) and a chicken and pork roast dinner. My Father struggled to cut the meat, both chicken and pork as it was incredibly dry and hard. They raised this with the waitress (who was very polite) who said she’d bring something else. The next moment - a woman introduced herself to my parents (as the proprietor) and was incredibly rude. She suggested that the meat had to be cooked to a certain temperature due to health and safety and disregarded the fact that the meat was hard, dry and tough. She suggested that she should have given my Father a sharper knife. She continued to be rude when serving another meal to my Father saying sarcastically “I hope you enjoy this”. Her attitude completely ruined their lunch. My parents don’t deserve this horrible experience. They wouldn’t recommend this pub to anyone; definitely one to avoid! The waitress, however was lovely and...