The ElmTree — Restaurant in New Forest

The roast tester.

Chapter one.

Today, I was most emboldened on a quest to survive in finery, plus, I was blessed to summon enough coinage to afford an actually beautiful home cooked meal.

So, I walked to the London Tavern to eat a known house favourite of lush meat.

Yet alas, upon my stumble, they were fully booked.

I was saddened. I lamented, but withdrew gracefully from the palace of my mighty local dream cuisine.

'I'll have to go to the Elm Tree' I said, and thus, ensuring the gnawing machismo of sufferance that comes with being a man on foot in all climates, including the somewhat chilly, I muscled the mile or so to the Elm Tree.

And I'm glad to report, I'm very glad I did.

It was quite an effort on foot, but once at the Ringwood pub of finery and delights, I was welcome with beaming smiles from the host of beauties who regularly pepper themselves behind the bars of convivial hospitality.

I was granted a supreme beveratti, and a massive dose of beef roast for £20, which, for these difficult times, appears to be standard.

Yet, I was so glad. So so glad, even though I ate it outside in the cold on my own (Because there were no spare tables in the pub, and I'm hard as Jesse from Predator). Thus, heroically, I stole out into the chilling wind to delight in the monumental dish of meat, potatoes, and lashing of gravy. I'm not a huge fan of vegetables, so if this offends any Vegans out there, then I'm sorry, but as a carnivore, I don't care. I need meat to survive, and in rude health I like to function and swagger, and it is thanks today, to the VERY LOVELY people of the Elm Tree, that I nourish these hours now with a loving vapour of happiness. I am WELL FED.

And that is a testament to HEALTH.

Ergo, The Elm Tree, is just as useful as a hospital, but the 'not ill enough to die, but still love to live knackered brigade' who need regular local sustenance.

Fantastic.

Thank God for them.

Survivors of the...

Have visited Elm Tree on many occasions and been happy. This last visit the service was the worst I have ever experienced anywhere. We had a table booked for 5 at lunchtime. On arrival the restaurant was empty on being shown to the table paper menus were handed out these stuck to the table where it had not been properly cleaned. The waitress then immediately reeled a list of things from the menu that they had run out of. The menu was quite limited to start with. We made our orders. The waitress shortly returned and were told the pie one of us had selected was also not available and a baguette another had ordered was not available on multi grain only in white. After a long wait of over an hour the meals arrived. 2 of us had ordered the Chicken pie one was served OK on a bed of mash the other had a pie where the pastry was crushed and dumped on top of a bed of chips. No chef with any professional pride would serve a meal to a customer in this manner. One of us had ordered mozzarella baguette but what arrived was cheese and pickle. This was requested to be returned. Waitress came back to advise they cannot change as cheddar is only cheese they have. Change of choice to a burger. We all ate our meals as they were on the table. The burger did not arrive for a further half an hour. Absolutely shambolic. No blame attributed to the waiting staff who were young girls clearly under stress of working in a diabolical situation they had been placed in. Management and chef hiding behind the scenes. We did notice that other customers walking out which I wished we had also done so. To be fair the meals were OK although they did not arrive as described on menu with things missing such as carrots and refried beans. Tried to make a complaint on paying but staff member clearly close to tears so did the British thing reluctantly...

Had my wedding ceremony and reception at the ElmTree Saturday 19th October. I couldn't wait to leave this review. Firstly, the owners and all the staff at the ElmTree are absolutely top tier. They are the epitome of top quality service with friendliness and attentiveness that you'd want. Katherine has been amazing from start to finish with organising our special day. She has gone above and beyond to make sure it was stress free for us and she exceeded our expectations. Honestly Katherine you are a star and if we could rate higher than 5 stars we would. Communication from start to finish was impeccable. She helped with music, decor, setting up and setting down the room changes and was just an overall superstar. We had so many compliments on the food served at our reception (a gorgeous high quality freshly made buffet spread)and later on in the evening pizzas and pudding! Gluten and vegan options to make it fully inclusive to all dietary requirements. Hats off to the chef!! We took pizza back to our hotel because we couldn't leave it there to waste it was too good. The staff were on it with the drinks kept all guests happy and glasses full. Honestly if you have any event planned I highly recommend the elmtree and you are in the safest hands with Katherine and team. Thank you so much for making our day so special. We will be back before you know if for another delicious lunch (we highly recommend just popping in for a bite or a drink!). Hannah...