The Wheatsheaf — Restaurant in Test Valley

We stopped here in our campervan for the night. It's a lovely looking pub with a nice garden and I was very happy to sit in the cosy dining area and drink a lovely glass of wine. Unfortunately, we arrived just after 8.00, and although we had phoned ahead to check food was available until 8.30, the kitchen was already winding down, probably because it had been a fairly quiet evening. However, we got the green light that we could order and so went for "catch of the day" and a standard "fish and chips." The latter arrived, looking fine and was deemed "ok," but my plate of sole was, I'm sorry, folks, absolutely horrible. I didn't want to spoil anyone's evening, so did my best to eat some, but left most on the plate. I managed to give gentle feedback on two occasions that I wasn't very impressed but got the feeling that everyone was a bit tired. I verbally expressed that perhaps I had just ordered the wrong thing. But, thinking back now on how awful it really was, I now wish I had refused to eat it at the time and sent it back. I would not want anyone to think that it was ok to serve such a plate, especially if you'd like a repeat customer. So although I think I did drop plenty of hints, here goes my actual feedback....Although the sole was meant to have been pan-fried, there were no indications of this, it smelt and tasted as if it had perhaps been badly microwaved. Slimy pieces of fish were heaped up in a pile, reminiscent of "let's use up what's left" rather than as an indication of generosity. The texture was gelatinous, full of bones, unseasoned, and did not smell very nice when placed in front of me. There were some edible pieces of crispy broccoli but no samphire. However, perhaps in mitigation, a copious amount of an utterly unfortunate cream based sauce had been tipped over everything, adding nothing but more slimy wetness to the experience. I actually feel queasy now when I think about it. My takeaway from this experience is not to be so bland and watery myself when giving feedback at the time. In the back of my mind, however, I do suspect that my meal was sent out knowingly substandard, and that is why I have written this review and why we...

I did previously enjoy the quiz nights and other meals ive had. Always had a warm welcome from the gentleman and serving staff. Tonight we were warmly greeted by the staff, who took our food and drink orders. Our food came as the quiz started, we'd been looking forward to it all day. 3 of us ordered off the specials menu, 2 off the normal menu. All the food arrived together but as I cut into my lamb shank the meat was cold. It was taken awa, with apologies and a freshly heated meal arrived after the rest of my table had finished eating. I also had to go to the bar to ask for more cutlery and mint sauce. Not to worry I thought, I'm sure they'll make it up to me. We had a round of mochas to finish whilst doing the quiz. It was not the normal quiz master, not a problem, we came for a nice meal, a bit of banter and a catch up. However, during the quiz the land lady ( who had stood in for quiz master) came to our area of the pub, saying loudly " one table is being very loud, shut up!" She looked at our table but when I later suggested this was not the way to treat customers she replied she'd looked at all the tables. Anyhow at the age of 57 I will not be treated like this. The atmosphere in the pub could be cut with a knife for the rest of the quiz evening. When we went to pay our bill I asked about consideration for my messed up meal. The polite barman said he'd have to check with the landlady. She came over, asked if the replacement hot meal was OK, which it was but I'd received it after my friends had eaten. She said you get 20% off but as we were at quiz we all got that anyway. She asked if I was satisfied I said not really but there you are. I also said I didn't like her tone of telling customers to "shut up" twice during quiz, there are more polite ways to speak. All the murmering afterwards agreed with me. The staff were clearly embarrassed too.

What a shame. I paid my bill but cannot recommend returning, I will go to places that value my custom. I work in hospitality myself and would not dream of telling a customer...

The Landlady in this pub has the worst customer service skills I have ever come across. We arrived for a pre-booked lunch and as it was a lovely day we asked the established Manager if we could eat in the garden, he said yes so we found a nice table in the garden near the play area where our 2 year old grandson could run around. After I ordered and paid for the food a waiter came out and said he could not serve our food in the garden on the grass as it was too far for the staff to travel!!!! We agreed to come back inside and eat, the waiter showed us to a table and we sat down with drinks and settled out young grandson at the table. The Landlady then came over and said we would have to move again as the table was reserved, we explained we had already moved from the garden but she insisted we would have to move again and told us the staff were new (well even if your staff are new you should have trained them). At this point we said we wanted to leave the pub and asked for a refund. The Landlady then started arguing with me and literally could not stop herself. I can honestly say this lady is very difficult and rude, I believe she must be seriously harming...