THE BLACK HORSE, WALCOTE — Restaurant in Harborough

Staff are not welcoming or pleasant and you do not get what it says on the Groupon! I pre-rang to make sure that I could bring my well behaved Shih Zhu. I was told that we could sit in the bar area which was fine by me. On arrival we were told by the niece of the bar owner that it would be fine to now sit in the restaurant. We settle in the corner near the open door and placed my little dog under the table. The restaurant was empty apart from some people sitting in the far opposite corner of the room. I was enjoying my families company and perusing the menu when an abrupt young girl who looked about 18 said you can't sit there with that dog. I tried to explain that we had been told we could but I was spoken over and told to move to the bar very sternly. I asked her name and she was called Abi. Although the bar area was fine by us. It put a dampers on a night that we were previously enjoying. We ordered a chicken wing starter where we received 4 wings that were still wet and soggy, with lots of black veins inside. Not good quality at all. I and my son ordered the pizza deal that came with a small glass of wine to the value of £4. We looked at the menu and the smallest glass that they did was a 175ml. So my son and I ordered two glasses that were £3.75 and £3.80. When we received them they were only 125 ml. I asked the lady behind the bar why we had only received a 125ml and she didn't look happy, didn't have an answer and said do you want to speak to the manager. I said yes. The manager came out and said it was all Groupons fault how he was made to word it. But we had ordered the smallest glass they did and it was below £4 so asked why really he couldn't give us the 175ml. I would not have usually complained about something quite so insignificant but we had already spent over £60 on drinks as they were so so expensive in there and felt that after our treatment on arrival, the fact that they had already spoilt an evening that we were previously enjoying to now be quibbling over 50ml of wine. I did not even eat my pizza and took it home with me as by this point I just wanted to leave. We finished off with a drink at the Plough at Bruntingthorpe and were welcomed with a happy smiley face. So luckily the evening in the end ended on a much more happier note. I would not advise anyone to purchase this Groupon. To save a few pounds on a meal and then have to accompany it with over priced drinks and be treated like naughty children by a young girl barely out of school.... No we definitely will not...

This was a returning visit with a gap of 30yrs. My first impression as I approached the pub from a different angle was that 'I found it hard to recognise' I then found out that the old Black Horse had been demolosished and completely rebuilt a few yards back from the road! The first huge plus for the 'New' Black Horse was that this building was built with wheelchair users in mind. All the doorways are plenty wide enough for both manual and wide wheelbase powerchair. There is a large disabled toilet with plenty of space for chairs and users. Sadly the pub is unable to serve the 'Hoskins and Oldfield' for which I used to visit it for as the Brewery went bust 30yrs ago. But it did offer a good selection of ales and gins. The staff including the chef were extremely accommodating. I was visiting with my cousin and his wife, and we had all forgotten it was Valentines Night. They happily booked the three of us in for a Valentines Special! Surrounded by Couples we had a delicious variety of shared foods and received a few interesting looks from fellow couple diners! The food was of a good standard and of generous portions.A Fine Night was had by all, and I will certainly be visiting again, but may be not next Valentines unless...

Years ago the Black Horse was a great place to go to, With wonderful real Ales and amazing Thai Food. Then it closed, for a long time! 😨

However, I am pleased to report that it's back! No Thai food now, but it now has a magnificent extensive menu which is highlighted with a challenge to all comers to devour the Black Horse Challenge Burger in 20 minutes! Do this & it's on the house! It reminders me of the story of the Sword in the Stone! Then onto the Real Ale! Normally there are 4 different ones including their own Black Horse ale, Daylight Robbery! However, I am pleased to report this is not an accurate description, not at £3 a pint!!! Both the Landlord & Landlady were very friendly as indeed were the locals who were there when I was! Their impressive stock of gins as well was further proof that this is most definitely a place to visit, several times...