The Horse & Groom, Alresford — Restaurant in Winchester

Visited this establishment to try their food. I had the burger, sounded good but had some issues.

First the buger was served on a wooden tray with no barrier between the food and wood. Unless you wanted to pick the burger up this left eating options limited. I did ask the server for a plate and was given a side plate. I only had a small amount of chips in the metal container, compleatly different from my friends who had fuller portions. Everything was served in separate containers which I get could be a nieche thing for them but eating wise was not practical.

The sauces were then also delivered in small container. It seemed they are causing themselves so much more work with no reward. Give me a plate and a bottle of sauce any day.

To the actual food. It was cooked well and was tasty. Sadly a friend had the fish and chips and the fish was very overcooked.

The servers in general were polite and helpful although communication seemed lacking between them.

It was a classic dark pub feel which was ok once eyes adjusted. There was a flickering light above our table but was able to re direct the light from us thankfully.

My suggestions Get rid of the wooden trays unless your going to put some greaseproof paper between the wood and food. Get rid of all the extra holders for everything, it's not economical and if you watch your customers you'll see most would rather all on the same plate. Check your frying time as burnt batter is not enjoyable.

The food and presentation was not worth the price paid. Correct these simple things and I'd happily try...

We decided to visit this pub for lunch as a chalkboard outside promised 20% off your total bill if you ate there, which is a bonus for January! So we have lunch; 1 pork roast, 1 beef roast and 1 fish and chips. Both roasts were dry and a bit bland. We got a dessert each and all three were naff. Crumble and sticky toffee pudding were tiny and microwaved within an inch of their life. Chocolate tart was ok but how bad can a chocolate tart ever be?

I had planned to just leave and chalk it up to another average pub however, we got our bill and it was full price. I asked the waitress and she said that I should have a code. A bit confused as I'd never heard of this pub before so why would I be on the email list and the chalkboard outside said nothing about a code or an email. I explained this to her and she said "oh yeah the chalkboard. I'll go and add the code for you now." This was a bit strange but then I realised multiple other tables started to question their bills after I had said something as they all also expected the 20% off to be automatic... as suggested by the advert outside the pub door.

This strange tactic of luring people in for a cheaper lunch and then never giving the discount offered is awful business tactics and actually against government guidance for consumer law.

The food was edible, service was ok but morality was low so I wouldn't recommend unless you enjoy an awkward chat over the bill after you...

This review replaces one that said how I'd had a lovely couple of visits.

Not this time: terrible pie! Not inedible, but I'm not sure who thought it was acceptable.

So the game is you don't actually make pie - you stick stuff in a dish and cover it with a pastry lid - as it was here.

An unlikely large, slightly too pale pastry lid turns up with a Ginsters-sized ceramic pie-dish underneath half full of watery carrot and a few bits of beef.

I should of course have sent it back - but having arrived an hour before serving started I was rather hungry. I should perhaps have photographed it too.

But I've done the most British of things, complained weakly and apologetically at the time and now having let it annoy me all the way home, am now complaining long-and-loud to you dear reader.

ABSOLUTELY NOT worth the £18 they charged me for it and I'm annoyed with myself I didn't kick up a fuss and actually paid up for it.

I think I know what happened to the contents of my pie though - my dinner interrupted by a meat-raffle.

My guess is it won't be the only complaint they get about this offering this evening.

So third and last visit today. Don't bother...