The Taverners, Godshill

It's only six months since Matt and Cat reviewed the former Cask and Taverners in Godshill, but it has undergone a couple of significant changes - a new name and a new chef. Enough for a whole new review.

Taverners, Godshill

If you want to read what M and C thought of the old Cask and Taverners, click here.

Encouraged to revisit this vast rural pub by james wilson and Mr Rutelo, Matt and Cat packed up the Ordnance Survey map and headed to Godshill. Unlike their previous visit, the summer sun was shining down on Godshill's narrow-pavemented street and the smell of cooking drew them to the rebranded Taverners.

Godshill is an odd place. It's always been the haunt of tourists, often by the coach-load, who stop off briefly on the way to or from somewhere else - they use the toilets, buy a cream tea and a postcard, and move on. In the winter it can be a ghost-town. So Matt and Cat were intrigued by what they'd heard. Had The Taverners, a big Godshill pub, abandoned the idea of churning out cheap bland food in volume? Would it be as friendly as before and would Cat's meal have any vegetables?

Review continues:

Entering through the courtyard door as before, the pub did not look particularly different despite the promise of a "famous top London chef". Matt and Cat were not sure what they expected; perhaps a moustachioed maitre d' presiding over a lectern and a leather-bound diary in which M and C's names would not appear. As it was a friendly lady stepped out from behind the bar to greet them with a big smile and a clipboard. Thankfully she wasn't canvassing for pub quiz contestants but proffering the menus. The bill of fare was a far cry from the dull offerings of the former pub. Every dish looked interesting and unusual. It was written in an informative yet very jaunty style, with snippets of humour amongst the worthy details of the locally sourced food. Starters included 'classic 1970s prawn cocktail with all the bits' and 'hand raised (ie odd shaped) free range pork pie'.

As well as plenty of clearly identified local produce there was an emphasis on what Cat described as 'man food' - pies, chips, chops and other red meat, perfect fodder for someone who has been toiling in a field all day. In fact, she overheard the man at the next table positively exclaim at the sight of (Moor Farm) ham, (double free range) egg and chips. And it had certainly been some considerable time since Matt and Cat had seen home-made faggots, mash, peas and gravy on any pub menu.

Devilled kidneys
Devilled kidneys

Although the food looked wholesome enough, it all seemed a bit stodgy for Cat and she rapidly scanned the menu for chicken. Alas, none was there. She later found out that chicken was available from Tuesdays onwards due to the slaughtering schedule at the nearby poultry farm.

Matt, however, was spoilt for choice, so unusually decided to go for the full three-course experience. He chose a starter of devilled lambs kidneys on toast (£4.50) and 'proper' beef and ale pie in suet crust pastry with hand cut chips and peas (£10.50). Cat, with her more delicate appetite, struggled to find anything that she really wanted to eat apart from the goats cheese soufflé with roast tomato and salad leaves starter (£4.50). However, help - of a sort - was at hand from a fellow diner. A hearty lady standing at the bar alongside the vacillating reviewer decided that Cat was going to try the home-made tagliatelle with lobster, tomato and basil. "Do you like sea food?" enquired the friendly woman. Cat had to confess that she didn't particularly. "Oh, but we live on an Island," the lady went on to explain cajolingly, "and we eat a lot of fish here". Cat, standing in a pub in a village which must be the furthest point from the sea on the Isle of Wight, found this a little patronising. But a glint in this lady's eye suggested that refusal wasn't going to be an easy option, so Cat ordered the lobster anyway: it was going to be a new experience and that's something she never shies away from.

The food ordered and beer bought - a nice pint of Ventnor Brewery's Undercliff bitter for Matthew, M and C sat back on the charming chapel chairs and listened to the crazy toe-tapping mash-up of French accordion music and dub reggae insinuating itself out of the bar's speakers. Cutlery arrived, swaddled in freshly-laundered linen napkins. The London influence was beginning to reveal itself.

Steak and ale pie
Steak and ale pie

After some time spent, as before, listening to the locals chatting at the bar, the starter arrived. A generous portion of piping hot freshly grilled lambs kidneys sat atop two pieces of extremely crunchy bread, drizzled with a surprisingly sweet reduction. More chutnied than devilled, but splendid nonetheless. The dish was garnished with what seemed to be deep-fried sage leaves; tasteless but crunchy things prepared for texture and colour rather than for their aromatic properties. Matthew was very pleased with this delicious platter.

Although the vast pub was pretty empty, the main courses took a bit of time to be delivered. But this is not necessarily a bad thing, indicating that the food takes more than four minutes at 850 watts to prepare. Still, it might be interesting to see how they manage when a few coachloads arrive on, say Mothering Sunday or the August bank holiday.

Cat looked at her plate of lobster tagliatelle with interest. Tucking into the fishy dishy, Cat was amazed how pervasive the taste of the slightly chewy lobster was. Torn basil leaves helped temper the flavour and tangy tomatoes finished off the rich sauce. The home-made pasta was a bit clumped together in places and Matt ate the thickest bits with gusto. Later, the lady who'd suggested the lobster passed by and asked how Cat had liked it. She was able to say that the dish was very well-made, and lobster was an interesting experience, but perhaps next time she'd try her lobster in a salad.

Matt's pie was fantastic - it was like no steak and ale pie he'd ever had before. The generous portion of meat was packed into real pastry - all the way around, not just topped with a dismal fluffy lid of air. The pie wasn't particularly big but then it didn't need to be. A meaty glaze on the top of the solid pastry lid gave the whole thing a really impressive taste and texture. The chips seemed to be double-cooked and this added to the crispiness.

Fried custard with flambéed banana and vanilla ice cream
Fried custard with flambéed banana and vanilla ice cream

Feeling like spoiling themselves, Matt and Cat ordered puddings. Again, these tended towards the cuisine Anglaise, bananas, custard and chunks of cake. Matt was very keen to try the intriguing-sounding fried custard with flambéed banana and vanilla ice cream and Cat chose the lemon polenta cake with lemon sorbet.

A vast wedge of the dense cake arrived with a welcome dollop of tangy sorbet. Matt's pile of bananas was covered in a sweet caramelised toffee syrup and the fried custard had a crispy coat to protect it from the deep-frying process. Again, the dish appealed to Matt, high in calories and with a big stodge factor. And fried custard! It seemed worth ordering this just to see what turned up. It did not disappoint in any way.

When the waiter came to deliver the coffees and chocolate chip cookies he stopped for a chat, and on enquiry, explained how the fried custard was made. He also wanted to let Cat know that he had clocked her taking some photos. "Is this going to end up on some review?", he laughed. "You'll have to wait and see..." replied Cat, mysteriously.

Matt and Cat's bill
Kidneys on toast £4.50
Lobster tagliatelle £11.50
Beef and ale pie £10.50
Fried custard & banana £4.50
Lemon polenta £3.95
2 x coffee 3.60

Now, it's worth pointing out that Matt and Cat rarely, if ever, reveal themselves as reviewers or give their names to restaurateurs - it's part of the deal. So at this stage it seemed pretty likely that their amiable host had an inkling of who he was feeding. It's also a credit to his attention to his guests, as obviously a keen eye had noticed the photographic activity - this almost always goes unremarked elsewhere.

Perhaps this suspicion led him to offer a little extra, because the waiter, who, it transpired, was indeed the 'famous London chef' and proprietor, took the time to show Matt and Cat around the venue. He explained his passion for locally-sourced food, and aspirations for a welcoming pub atmosphere rather than a stuffy restaurant. It seemed that your reviewers' expectations about the maitre d' and lectern couldn't have been more wrong. "I looked up this place on the internet before I bought it", he said chattily, "and saw it on that Matt and Cat website." Obviously fishing for Matt and Cat to step forward and throw off their disguises, Scooby-doo style. But although this wily chef seemed probably to be one of the very few who'd ever actually managed to spot your reviewers in action, they didn't confess their identities, and went on their ways with cheery goodbyes and sincere anticipation of a return visit.

It's to be hoped that Godshill is able to support such an ambitious venture, very different from anything else in the village. Eating at the Taverners was a bit like being in a parallel universe. The venue looked exactly the same as it had done in November 2007 and the locals were still as friendly. All that was different became clear from the board outside "New chef, new menu, new beer, new owners, welcome".

PermalinkPublished: 17th June 2008
6598 views
Categories: We like, Pub Grub, Family friendly, Ventnor area, Local produce

42 comments

Comment from: kj
simply love it

nothing more to say
17/06/08 @ 16:13
Comment from: mjl Email
My wife and I have just returned from the Taverners. We certainly do not share your enthusiasm for the place. I ordered the pie; it was ordinary, certainly far from the best pub pie that I have eaten. Despite the claims about local, home prepared produce, the peas with my pie were frozen petits pois. My wife had macaroni cheese. This was served without any accompaniment such as crusty bread, none was offered as a side order. It was mediocre. Generally we found the menu uninspiring. There are many much better pubs around. We shall not be returning.
20/06/08 @ 19:36
Comment from: SLF(Local)
I have to say that I have eaten at The Taveners twice in the last three weeks and both times found the food to be different,very well thought out and delicious.
There are so many pubs on the island churning out the same frozen rubbish that it is wonderful to be able to go somewhere as a family and enjoy restaurant quality food.
The children were able to choose from a homecooked menu that suited them instead of having to have 'something' and chips again!
I would very highly reccommend to anyone who enjoys fresh cooked local food!
21/06/08 @ 15:54
Comment from: Nick
We had a fantastic Sunday lunch at the Taverners this weekend. The Island rib of beef was so tempting we all had it, so we didn't get to sample the diversity of the fairly traditional menu. It was gratifying to see a lot of locally sourced ingredients however. Puddings were absolutely great, my treacle tart had a great crust and a nicely flavoured centre with a hint of lemon. Service was very efficient and friendly. Highly recommended!
23/06/08 @ 15:18
Comment from: CC
We had heard on the grapevine that the Taverners had a new London chef, so whilst we were visiting the Island at the weekend we popped in for a bite to eat.

...the food was to die for.
What a great evening…! The place was buzzing, service was excellent and the food was to die for. We had the local duck with cherry salad, which apparently are from the cherry orchard across the road. An excellent dish and well recommended. Cottage pie was superb, simple yet very tasty and the desert of bread and butter pudding was to die for.

We'll be down from London more often and will be definitely popping in for the food. Unfortunately we were too late for the Sunday roast dinner the next day as it was sold out...!! Gutted!! I've heard it does the best one on the Island...!!

Good Luck to the new management, and good on you for providing good quality, local grown food. We’ll be back soon…..!!
23/06/08 @ 17:46
Comment from: Lois & Pete
We went down for Saturday lunch. I was most inpressed by the use of local produce throughout the menu. I had macaroni cheese and we asked for salad, which was very 'Bistro' freshly picked the day before - not an iceberg lettuce in sight - great!

Pete had the shephers pie which he thought was lush : )

The Taveners is doing exactly what I have always dreamed of doing with an island eatery - using locally available produce and changing the menu to suit whatever fresh food is available. No laminated menu that consists of nothing but mass produced food, I don't care for huge choices of pap, just quality even on a small menu. The sauces and dressings were served in dishes with spoons - not a ketchup pouch in sight, even the napkins were REAL!

If you enjoy fresh, local and good food this is definitely the place to come. The only minus point was the limited availability of vegetarian food on offer.
29/06/08 @ 19:32
Comment from: ghostmoth
Although the menu was very meat based the food was tasty, seasonal and clearly home cooked but Mr ghostmoth and I both felt that a dessert was a necessity not an option. I liked the refectory feel of the restaurant including menus on clipboards and bar cloths for napkins, the waiting staff were very friendly and the food reasonably priced.

While we were there we earwigged on another table who asked their waitress if Matt and Cat had reviewed them yet. You'll have to go out in disguise soon!
30/06/08 @ 21:09
Comment from: Tracy
Gammon hot pot! to die for, see this on the specials list, just do it!
Can't wait to go back there
20/07/08 @ 00:56
Comment from: Michelle
We are local to the village and are delighted that after many years our local pub has re-established itself as a place to meet and greet friends and to enjoy an excellent home cooked meal using local produce. Credit to Roger and Lisa our new landlords.
21/07/08 @ 11:00
Comment from: Simon
Popped in with friends over from the mainland to have a pint and some lunch last week for the first time since ownership changed. I have nothing but praise for the place. The greeting we received on arrival was warm and friendly, the beer was excellent and the food was fresh, home made and tasty. It is in a great position in the center of Godshill and has a really nice feel. Perfect if you want to walk the dog in the local countryside then pop in for a drink. This is a fantastic Pub/restaurant, head and shoulders above the Griffin, and no I do not work there!
25/08/08 @ 09:28
Comment from: Geoff
My wife and I were walking the Stenbury Trail from Shide to Ventnor on 25/08 and Godshill was the obvious place for a break. I must say I wasn't looking forward to lunch much, expecting ordinary stuff for the tourist trade, but we were pleasantly suprised. An interesting menu using local produce where possible -we'll go for a 'proper' meal.
PS - no paper napkins -real linen ones!
28/08/08 @ 15:17
Comment from: kj
went tonight...nice and busy with no Queues, had Line caught sea bass, 10oz rump and beaf & Ale pie between us and have not had a better meal on the Island EVER
30/08/08 @ 01:03
Comment from: kj
not that I'm a creature of habit, more that the wife demanded a decent steak, we went back to te Taverners tonight, (2nd time in 4 nights) A lot aparses on the people front, i.e. nobody in the back bar at all, but who cares. Staff are really nice and good at their job and we had a choice of tables. This time we took some friends over from the North Island. I had the (posh) Lamb burger, wife had ...steak, friends both had braised lamb.

We are now ringing around our friends to see who wants to come out on Thursday.

Forgot to add, that both times we took our four year old( who is very well behaved) who is expecting to come next time as well

If we ever have a mediocre meal here we'll let you know
02/09/08 @ 23:51
Comment from: Son of Caulkhead Email
My wife and I popped in on Friday for a quick bite at lunchtime when we were down on the Island visiting relatives. She had the bacon sandwich, which she loved, and I had the 'bucket of chips'. These were actually served in a small metal bucket, and were the best chips I have ever had. (Sorry mum!) All washed down with a very nice pint of Undercliff. If we had been on the Island longer we'd have gone back for an evening meal, but we'll have to save that for next time.
27/10/08 @ 23:58
Comment from: Peter and Sally
The Taverners is a real find. Recommended by the chef at the Hambrough (which has to be a great commendation) we went along for a new year's eve dinner. The food was fantastic (and I am known as being very hard to please) and the service was charming. Great food comes from carefully prepared, high quality ingredients and this reborn pub has to be a fabulous example of how to do this right.

We were at the Red Lion in Freshwater a couple of nights before and the Taverners is at least as good. Keep it up!
01/01/09 @ 19:04
Comment from: Mike
I came past today and it was closed.Is the norm.for out of season?Hope so because I'm supposed to be going there for a meal tomorow.
09/01/09 @ 17:31
Comment from: kj
it is definately open in the evenings all week. Maybe closed daytimes during the week this time of year

Matt and Cat respond: We went there this evening, in the hope of eating something. It was closed. We asked in 'The Griffin' (of which more anon) and they thought the Taverners had been closed all day and all evening in the last few days - perhaps a post-Christmas holiday? Guess they've earnt it.
09/01/09 @ 21:45
Comment from: lk
closed for annual holiday until 19th January
11/01/09 @ 17:44
Comment from: rob
great food, great atmosphere,great beer need I say more
12/02/09 @ 12:54
Comment from: Cari
Went for an evening meal a couple of weeks ago - could not fault any of it and then returned for lunch this week and had a bowl of the best mushroom soup ever. Can't wait to go again
20/02/09 @ 20:56
Comment from: samiam
Went along expecting the usual over hyped, over priced 'gastropub' fare, and was completely knocked out. Staff were chilled and friendly yet efficient, and the overall ambience unfussy and genuine.
What's really remarkable about the food is that we should be so surprised to find stuff of this quality at this price - its seems so obvious to select really fresh, seasonal local produce and cook it simply with an obvious care about what ends up on the plate, but so many times one finds pre-cooked, frozen or overdressed fare, usually smothered with oven chips and groaning off the table.
These guys have got it spot on - razor clams with garlic butter worth the trip alone, steak and oyster pie and pork escalope perfect. You could tell just by the side salad that you were on to a winner. Other pubs on The Island should be shamed by what The Taverners have done here, and at prices that are fair (not cheap, just fair.)
Please keep it up - you're a beacon of hope for anyone who loves real food!
07/03/09 @ 00:38
Comment from: Bushy
Purely on the basis of the review and comments on this site, we made a last minute booking for lunch for four yesterday, and were all very impressed. Good quality ingredients, imaginative vegetables, a good vegetarian choice, excellent wine list and friendly service - Excellent!
09/03/09 @ 09:54
Comment from: Twoveggies
A must for vegetarians. Something different so don't expect the usual IOW offering (veg lasange and garlic bread). You are in for s super treat. If you prefer a less crowded pub do check if there is a private function and everyone is crammed in the front of the building
30/03/09 @ 14:00
Comment from: JA
I love going somewhere wanting to love it, but this time I feel all the more let down.
Now by no means did I feel this the worst of Island eateries, far (FAR!)from it..... but I did unfortunately find it the most disappointing. What we hoped for tonight was somewhere up to the hype, or at least up to the 20 odd positive reviews here. 1st impressions...... Trading beer for produce, funky, if a little dangerous should your untraceable produce ever poison someone.

If we'd stopped at starters, we'd have forgiven the fact that thin asparagus was steamed with fat asparagus resulting in a limp stiff combination no fluffer could rectify. What I cannot forgive is a 15 minute wait for starter plates to be cleared or near 50 minutes wait for main courses. The underside of my plate was filthy, like Russell Brands memoirs. Luckily I was the only possessor of such a plate. My bland duck, but STUNNING lentils, was replated (I assume the old plate was clean on top!) And we continued. Sharing the dining experience, I traded a morsel or two with my companions, duck for pork. I think. I couldn't tell the difference. Pork belly should only really be crisp on top, not all the way round.

We did get some corkers for the staff and owners: The replies: "Sorry our plates are a little grainy." (read filthy) "Our chef worked with Gordon Ramsay" (I'll continue my comment without MY 3* name dropping) and "Our chef got called away, thats why your food has taken so long." (Where'd he go!?)

Effort A+: Performance: D- Could do better.
Shame, we could have / SHOULD have........ loved it.
13/04/09 @ 23:48
Comment from: Roger Serjent Email
We would like to sincerely apologise for the poor experience that JA received on bank holiday Monday. We can offer no excuses for failing to meet your expectations and are deeply disappointed with our performance. We have unfortunately become a victim of our own success and the were unable to maintain our usual quality over such a busy Easter weekend. We are quickly reviewing our operating procedures to allow us to serve the quality of food we would wish to be served ourselves regardless of how busy the pub is. We do hope you will give us another chance and would encourage anybody who's expectations we do not meet to let us know on the day so we may address the concerns immediately.

I would also point out I have never worked for Gordon Ramsay, and unfortunately I did have to step out of the kitchen as a colleague had badly sliced her hand and needed first aid.

Thank you
Roger
16/04/09 @ 16:59
Comment from: louise
Ventured out with the kids on Easter Sunday as heard the good reviews and wanted to try somewhere that went the extra mile and produced good honest food.

Me and the kids had Roast Pork very nice indeed, fresh veg were good and the sprouting brocolli was delicious.

The choice of napkin was interesting still cant make my mind up about the 'tea-towel' napkin still think I prefer either a crisp freshly laundered napkin or the disposable napkin, however the tea-towel did prove most useful when the waitress knocked my glass of wine into my lap!!

Even with the unfortunate wine incident overall it was very good and nice to see an effort being made so many places think they can serve what they like and get away with it, we will definetley be back. Note to Roger maybe the tables could get cleared down quicker the waitresses just seemed to walk past and then past again without even noticing anything untoward.

By the way seeing the Griffin offering meals for £3.95 is so off putting, just makes you wonder what they are serving ...........
18/04/09 @ 16:31
Comment from: Mike
Never been in the Taverners so can't comment but I have been in the Grifin.Why is it offputtinng just because the meals are cheap? Cheap does not nescessari;y mean bad.Sample it yourself before making ill formed judgements. The same comment made about the "stars"on some establishments applies here.Never judge a book by its cover.
18/04/09 @ 20:38
Comment from: louise
OK Hands up I have not been in the Griffin so sincere apologies to them however, I have sampled some of the other £3.95 establishments and my experience has not been particularly good, so yes to ME and quite possibly a sweeping generalisation on my behalf these £3.95 signs are off-putting. My goodness how I wanted these meals to be good who doesn't want to pay £3.95 for a meal? Hey, I have also paid well over £10 for many a bad meal too, my point being it was refreshing to find somewhere providing good food for my hard earned money we eat out regularly and sometimes get fed up with parting with cash for trash.

We paid £8.95 for our roast at the Taveners not hugely expensive and a reasonable price I am prepared to pay for a good, fresh and not mass produced meal, a meal which was most enjoyable and where the meat was not plastic.

Some restaurants/pubs I'm sure will be feeling the pinch at the moment but I think they are doing themselves an injustice by these menus. Maybe I will try the Griffin and will let you know and hope they can prove me wrong .......


18/04/09 @ 22:14
Comment from: Lou
Went mid afternoon a while ago and can only assume the top chef was off as the food can only be described as mediocre pub food. Food and service was slow but they were not busy. No childrens menu offered. Such a shame as I had heard great things from people including one who says it's the best place on the island at the moment and she's been numerous times and never had a bad meal there. I believe I must have caught them on a bad day. However the desserts were great!
11/05/09 @ 08:59
Comment from: kj
I've been looking for an excuse to go back to what is the best pub for food on the Island...settled for it being a Wednesday
10/06/09 @ 18:53
Comment from: trixie
My husband and I went to the Taverns last night and after all the positive comments we heard and read our expectations were high. However, I cannot follow the glowing reviews it had. As a starter we shared white bait which was nice. As a main I ordered a special from the daily's board, 'pigs plate', which was badly cooked. The red braised cabbage was greasy and far too sweet, the organic sausage was burned, the gammon with leek was overcooked, very dry and almost crunchy. The pork belly had a nice crackling but lagged seaoning. The sweet potatoe puree was ok, but the amount of pineapple chutney on top was too much and made the hole dish look badly presented. My husbands chicken and duck pie was nice and rich, lots of meat and the chips were nice. The runner beans it came with were fresh but had no seasoning but butter. Overall an average experience and I possibly chose the worst dish of the day.
10/07/09 @ 09:13
Comment from: ACW
Wasn't all bad was it?
10/07/09 @ 23:59
Comment from: Tracy
Nah, only the spelling! Sorry, couldn't resist!

We ate at The Taverners, the evening after Trixie it seems, probably the 10th time we've visited, maybe more, we've stopped counting now!
And................ we still love the food as much as the first time we visited!

If maybe, .... there is a complaint to be made, it would be that the portions have got larger, oops no sweet order again, rats !

Ask me for my fave thing ever? It's gonna Pickled watermelon, which certainly sways my choice from the menu, I'll have whatever it's served with!
11/07/09 @ 01:13
Comment from: David
We had lunch there yesterday. It was superb.

I had the lamb chops with roasted cherry toms and baked polenta and crisp tender green beans. The perfectly cooked chops were fragrant with rosemary and thyme and the cherry toms perfectly complemented the dish. I liked the golden baked polenta and I'm trying to recreate it at home this morning. The other half had the grilled lamb tongue with potato salad and watercress. It was gorgeous.

What we like about the Taverners is that the chef is constantly changing the menu, so you go back looking forward to tasting something new and always, always brilliantly cooked.
07/08/09 @ 15:44
Comment from: Dave
It's taken me a while to write this review. Whilst on holiday in August we had a fairly dissapointing meal at the Spyglass in Ventnor and I was determined not to get caught out again so I trawled the internet for reviews and found the Taverners. What a treat!

In the main the reviews were excellent and I have to say we weren't let down. The food was excellent, as someone said the portions are quite large, so once I'd polished off my yummy burger and chips I moved onto my daughters steak, my wifes pie and my daughters pie. Needless because of my now immense size I skipped on the deset but found room to try a taster of the communual lemon maringe pie! Needless to say it was delightful!

Nice friendly staff, lovely locals, a good atmosphere and reasonable prices left me wishing we could have gone again. Oh well, my Mum and Dad are there this week and I've told them to go!
03/09/09 @ 18:25
Comment from: Nick Churchill Email
Delighted to see that the Taverners have now been included in the 2010 Michelin Eating Out in Pubs guide, I must confess that I haven't sampled their wares myself but from reading the review and comments this is well deserved.

See County Press article.
16/09/09 @ 16:18
Comment from: judy and barry
Definately the best fish and chips we have ever tasted.Although we had not booked the friendly staff offered us a table barside and in next to no time the food had arrived.It was hot and delicious.The staff were extremely professional and asked us at various times if our meal was ok.The tartare sauce was out of this world!
01/11/09 @ 21:48
Comment from: twoveggies
"No we can't reserve a place on our car park for a disabled person we are expecting a party of 20, its first come first served". When your mother has been given a 50% chance of living thorugh a brain operation and she can't walk far, you expect some compassion. We feel absolutely disgusted. Profit before people is the order of the day here it seems!!! Poor Show. How can a pub gain an award with such a bad attitude towards diasabled people?
27/12/09 @ 16:53
Comment from: kj
They have about 5 spaces in their carpark and a pre-booked party...what do you expect them to do?

There is a large public car park 50 yards away

We take our disabled aunt who is always really well looked after and they thoroghly deserve their award
27/12/09 @ 17:45
Comment from: Natalie
The two times that I've eaten at the Taverners the food has been superb and my only complaint was that I wished I had room for a pudding the second time!
28/02/10 @ 20:42
Thanks to the many splendid references above 8 of us visited the Taverners on Sunday last.
It was absolutely fabulous - lovely-looking pub, friendly people and utterly delicious food.
The Whitebait was wonderful: http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsaboyd/4395206988/
The great thing is in my humble opinion that they do a relatively short (but more than enough for all tastes and persuasions) menu extremely well rather than going for a list so long you've forgotten it all half way down and it all looks and tastes the same anyway.
Thank you M+C and reviewers above for sending us there. And thank you Taverners too.
02/03/10 @ 20:12
Comment from: Sean
As regular users of The Taverners we are always impressed, and so are people we invite. I think recent comments have been spot on, the menu is not the biggest but the specials board is always interesting to see what is seasonally on offer, and the use of local ingredients is in abundance here. We often try the specials, and if you are a fan, the liver and bacon is the best ever; it’s without doubt my favourite. Not just homely fair on offer, there is a range of various dishes and seafood and they are all very high quality. Never difficult to find a dish; I know I can always have the beef and ale suet crust pie À la Matt, while my wife says the ham egg and chips or macaroni cheese are both very tasty, they certainly look it and theres never any left for me to try! I believe the good menu philosophy is rather than offering pages and pages of passable food ensure everything you do is not just a pass but a credit, even a distinction!
We rarely manage 3 courses unless very very hungry, so decide when arriving whether to go starter or dessert, and the ‘my nans lemon meringue pie’ normally wins as it is fantastic, a real zingy treat, this alone warrants a trip. The ’hand raised’ (i.e. a bit scruffy) free range pork pie with homemade piccalilli is much tastier than the one I tried at that ‘F’word blokes pub in London, and at a much better cost, and here the famous london chef actually is in the kitchen. With The Taverners great food, atmosphere and service it makes this place a real gem. Well done and please keep up your very high standards.
03/03/10 @ 08:18

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What colour is an orange? (Don't use any capital letters in your answer)
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