Royal Oak — Restaurant in Test Valley

My whole experience here was awful. I ordered Sirlion steak with mash and garlic and mushroom sauce. They didnt have any left so i opted for Rump steak.My dinner was served with chips instead of mash, so was sent back. Everyone else in our party of 5 was eating their food. When my food arrived back, I tried to cut into my steak, which took me some time. A waitress asked if everyone was ok with the food. I didn't answer as i had not started mine yet. The steak wasn't medium rare that I had asked for, it was raw. I sent it back for a second time. I eventually got my meal, took one mouthful of steak and spat it out. I tried another piece and did the same. I also noticed that there was no tomato orrocket, as advertised, on my plate. I had mash, steak, sauce and 2 onion rings, which I gave my mum. Put it this way, it was the mist expensive mash potato I have ever ate. I didn't have the will to complain again. I tucked the steak into napkins and decided to keep it for my dog. I decided to order a pudding as I was still hungry. The first one I asked for had run out, so I had Sticky toffee pudding with extra custard. I started to eat the Sticky toffee and said to my mum it wasn't very warm. I took a second mouthful and quickly spat it out. It was still frozen. I took it to the bar and asked the barman to feel my pudding, he did and was shocked it was still frozen. By then I wanted nothing else. A young lady, who I presume was management came over to offer me a refund. When I told her of my whole experience ,she said she saw me eat my steak, so I pulled it out and showed her it. Clearly a lie. Even offered her to weigh it. Her attitude was disgusting, and she continued to lie. She hadn't watched me at any point as I had a serious Asthma attack which warranted me using my nebulizer and oxygen mask. If she had seen that, she would of asked if I was OK. She accused me of being rude to her members of staff. I asked who, so I could apologise. She couldnt answer. She rapidly made an excuse they were very busy. My daughter and her partner own a bar, restaurant and nightclub in Liverpool and That gets busy without issues, so I know the process and procedures for Hospitality. I got a refund for the pudding, and the member of staff kept apologising. I told him it wasn't his fault and he didn't need to apologise for someone else's error. The whole experience was awful. And for someone who regularly eat there, I will never do again. Shocking...

This quickly became our go to pub when we want to treat ourselves to a decent meal out. I've been about 10 times in the last 18 months with my wife and 3 children and every time we leave we are speechless at the level of service we are provided. The food is always delicious, and comes out astonishingly fast. The staff are always happy to help and tend to your needs. A special thank you to Alana- it might be because we usually sit at the same table but oddly, Alana always seems to serve us! Always service with a smile and laughing and joking with my children. We had a right laugh the other day as my wife ordered mushy peas with her cod and chips and when it came out the pot was on the plate for mushy peas, but with nothing in it! My family and Alana all envisaged together the kitchen staffs confusion on that one and had a proper giggle about it. (This is the only mishap we have ever had here) but Alana was swift to sort it. The most friendly, inviting atmosphere of any pub you will frequent, and to top it off, fantastic food and service. Visit this pub! You will not be disappointed. Unless...

Great food, slow service however was made aware of this when booking due to several large parties.

Not family friendly in the slightest, was made to feel awkward and embarrassed for breastfeeding my son by the two older female members of staff working. I received some awful looks from these ladies & what looked like sniggering and talking about myself behind the bar.

I was feeding discreetly as I’m not very confident as am only 8 weeks in and was dining with my dad and brother. I felt very stressed, and embarrassed due to these ladies that I took my son out in the heavy rain to feed him in the car.

The baby change toilets were disgusting, they were very dirty, bin overflowing, nappy sat in the toilet and just a mat to change a child on the toilet floor.

However we did receive good service from the young waiter, very courteous and polite young man, nothing was too much trouble.

Won’t be eating here again as I’ve worked/working hard to gain confidence feeding my son, I don’t need two old ladies making a young...