The Rose And Thistle — Restaurant in Surrey Heath

Me and my partner came here on the off chance, and were welcomed at the bar straightaway. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful floral wallpaper, that is complimented by the low lighting and accented by the pictures. The decor is beautiful!

After sitting outside for a little bit, we went into the conservatory area to eat some food. We had already discovered the ability to order through the website, but it was nice to see a QR code on the table. The decor in this area is also beautiful - I love how the wall colour and tiles seem to compliment each other and help create a modern, sleek and relaxing look. It really looks like someone took the time to make sure everything went well together!

We had already ordered via the website, but the staff were super attentive and came to our table to ask if we had ordered, and offered a jug of water. Ordering via their website is super easy and streamlined. The food came promptly, but not too quickly - a good indication that it is all cooked to order. Both me and my partner went with the calamari and we really enjoyed it. The sauce was delicious, as was the spice on the calamari. The only drawback to this part of the meal is that they'd forgotten our drinks, but when I went to chase it up, the young member of staff was super lovely and apologetic. She didn't need to be - it was no big deal, but I appreciated her manner. Absolutley loved the cider too; a big thumbs up for Hawkes Dead and Berried!

We then both had the steak, shin and pale ale pie. The clotted cream mash was to die for! Such a wealth of flavour. It really took my breath away! The pie was beautiful, too - flavourful meat and lovely pastry - nice and sturdy too. It didn't flake away when you tried to eat it. The cabbage was spot on, and really tied the whole dish together.

I'll list some more good things, for length's sake: Toilets were well-decorated, clean and fresh-smelling. There were real flowers on the tables! The staff are all really attentive. We sat near a family, and it was nice to see the staff offering them the opportunity of ordering with them, and also making conversation. The decor was stunning. I know I've already said it, but I absolutely loved it! The price of food is great for the quality (which is amazing!), and the portions are good. Their website works very well, and is clear and easy to understand. (From what I could tell) Free parking at the rear of the pub, as long as you register your reg with them. Within walking distance of the Basingstoke Canal, and less than a mile from the Canal Centre.

We both left contented, full and surprised. We had originally planned to go elsewhere, but I'm so glad that plan didn't work out, because going to The Rose and Thistle was easily the highlight of the day. This is a pub that I'd love to bring family to. We certainly...

Bank holiday Monday for an early tea. Great seating outside and really helpful staff getting us sat down and then moved because the sun was quite strong and we had a little one.

Drinks were perfect, came out really fast. We ordered pasta for our little one first and that came out fast aswell which was lucky as she was getting hangry.

By this point in the day, there was limited choice on the menu. 3 of us ordered mains, burger came out quickly and we were told ours would follow soon. We had to wait another 20 mins before ours came by which point our friend had finished her burger. Which looked delicious.

I’d like to say it was worth waiting an hour for but it was quite poor quality really. I had the seafood linguine, with the pasta being completely overcooked and the whole dish quite watery and tasteless. The tomatoes looked like they had been taken from a burger, cut up and chucked in. I was disappointed to wait an hour for a meal I could have cooked better at home. If this wasn’t my first meal out in 15 months, in the sunshine after 2 beers I might have said something.

My wife had the steak, which looked ok but there was a lot of fat and wasn’t the juiciest cut I’ve seen. The sauce she said tasted funny, we think it was bernaise but tasted like a packet mix. For £21 you expect better.

Unfortunately, a waitress didn’t return to our table after serving our mains so we couldn’t give any feedback and then our little one was getting a bit loud so we had to make a quick exit.

Next time we come back, we’ll probably come earlier and maybe stick to a burger, or maybe...

Visited here yesterday (Thursday at 7ish)and brought along a friend and wife to eat. Firstly the one star is for some good drinks however they didn't have cranberry juice?? There was some level of difficulty ordering a coke..but hey ho.

Secondly the food arrived pretty quickly but instantly I could see there was little effort put into the food. Pie and mash, mash looked and tasted old, pie was was bland and this was topped off with zero effort slop on your plate boiled veg. Lazy lazy lazy effort. The fish and chips were bland full stop. The burger was ok chips just ok. There feedback.I The BIG problem with all this is the ridiculous pricing you have for the quality of food? Half the price wouldn't cut it.

Genuinely I feel the prices paid was a robbery considering my wife and I have eaten out in many local establishments. We are more than happy to pay for good food. This simply was way way off the mark.

Thirdly who is manageing the staff? Checking that at least minimal service is provided would go along way. Food comes, then wait for cutlery, then missed some cutlery, salt grinders dont work ! No servietes given. Not asked if we are enjoying it, BUT did ask at the end. We ate because we were hungry. Come on guys the place looks the part. Chef needs a shake up and staff some service and communication training...