Basingstoke and Deane
Jekyll And Hyde Public House

Jekyll And Hyde Public House

Hartley Wespall, Basingstoke and Deane, United Kingdom

Wine • Steak • Cheese • British


"Had a family gathering at this pub to celebrate my daughter’s recent birthday. We all ate and had drinks there. Service, politeness and helpfulness of staff was good. Being a party over a certain number we had to pre book our starters and main course which wasn’t a problem, but I found this establishments food and drinks way over priced, both food and drink. Large white wine £9.90, firstly ferret pint £5.90. You can view the price of the meals on their website. I just had a burger which came with chips. It was quite nice but quite average. Before I started eating it the bottom half of the bun was soaked in burger grease and was mush. The chips I wouldn’t be surprised if they were McCain’s straight frozen or possibly some other brand, but not fresh made. Holding the burger together was a wooden skewer and placed on top of the burger was two slightly cooked onion rings which I would say also come out of the freezer. I have eaten better burgers from McDonald’s or Burger King for half the price. My wife had Dover Sole and said the fish was nice, but over priced. For a sweet four of us had baklava. It’s was a fair portion of baklava, but rated about a 6.5 to 7 10. As we left the pub I only counted 4 people in the pub, perhaps there were more that I couldn’t see, this was at approx 18:30 on a Saturday evening. The inside of the pub is nice, shame about the prices. My wife asked me would I come here again, I replied I wouldn’t choose to come here, and she agreed. It wasn’t my choice to go there for this visit. The quality of the food doesn’t warrant such high prices."

The Bolton Arms

The Bolton Arms

91, The Street, RG24 7DA, Basingstoke and Deane, United Kingdom

Pubs • Steak • Drinks • British


"SOGGY BOTTOM! I had a craving for pie! After surgery the previous week, I needed comfort food as any form of distraction from my pain. After a long time searching on Google for lunchtime venues to eat what I wanted, I decided the Bolton Arms would be great for lunch. My husband and I had not been there for a number of years where we previously had a fabulous dinner so it was time to visit again. Also, I didn’t want a corporate chain run group of pubs/restaurants bulk buying produce to ‘turbo’ in giant ovens. No, I wanted homemade real food. Reading the present menu homemade pie was advertised so I rang the Bolton Arms to confirm this item would be available and it was. We went for lunch. Drinks were ordered at the bar which we took to our table, then after a little longer than would have liked our food order was taken. Our food arrived after quite a long time. My pie steaming hot … but where’s the meat? I was presented with a solid hard topped pastry shell with just a minimal of ham hock meat (I was advised it was ham hock) which was drowning in an indescribable grey/white sauce and accompanied by soft carrots with an odd perfume aftertaste. The cabbage resembled a food stuff my grandmother would have boiled for two weeks! Cutting into this, the pastry base disintegrated leaving a pale soggy pie bottom. Nothing was seasoned. I guess the Chef had the day off! Please see two photos of pies I would expect and the pie I received. I think anyone reading this will distinguish the difference. A couple arrived after us and also ordered the pie. Watching over my husbands’ shoulder, each fork was heaped full of meat with a plate of steaming fresh vegetables. I have been short changed! Being hungry distorts immediate reactions and therefore a complaint at the time was not made. My husband just had a sausage sandwich which was nice – thank you. But for someone who never comments, did tell me he thought my food was pretty dreadful. The Bolton Arms is a traditional pub and listed building. The interior is dark and in desperate need of a little more comfort that would benefit modernising even simple fabrics and décor, but please put the heating on. I know it was lunchtime and only 4 tables were sat but to put my coat back on to keep warm is unacceptable. This pub felt cold, dusty and totally uninviting. Would we return. NO. But in a few years to see if changes have been taken on board. Yes. Good luck for your future The Bolton Arms."