Morning Jonathan and Ronnie!.... Katie and I just wanted to say that we had an absolutely fantastic time at your pub yesterday!.... both of us had an outstanding meal (Katie had the ham, which she said was hands down the best she has ever had!.....and i had the pork which was simply sublime!!.) But also , and sometimes the most important, your staff were amazing. Friendly, attentive, fun and welcoming, they were a joy to be around and made our 'quick school run' lunch an even more pleasant experience!!.. we will be back!. Thank you ??
RalphDabizas
Found this stunning pub whilst on a lovely walk with a few friends so thought we would have a light bite to eat before continuing our journey. Everything was wonderful from the food to the service, we couldn't fault it. I recommend the bruschetta, perfection. Our only grievance was when we were approached by one of the staff members for a check back, there was a distinct smell of marijuana which wasn't very pleasant to smell whilst eating food. Still looking forward to another visit!
marci354
We visited The Foresters with family for a delayed Father’s Day meal. The Beef Sunday Lunch was amazing. Fresh vegetables , tender beef and lovely Yorkshire puddings. The chocolate brownie was freshly made and you could tell . The pub dates back to 1642 and full of character and charm. But list importantly you could tell the staff love what they are doing. It’s a destination pub and is well worth the visit. We will be back !
O1484MYtimothyt
As supporters of local enterprises we booked on a Saturday following a positive review in the local paper. The website is highly professional and inviting, booking on-line refreshingly easy, and nice email reminders of our booking belies Jonathan and Ronnies experience in other notable New Forest haunts. The menu oozes colour and culinary flair. Every item ends with "99p" of I am always wary, but pricing is a personal matter and it cannot be easy to be profitable in todays circumstances, where reliance on custom has to be ultimately on a coterie of locals and passing trade, even more difficult in a rural hideaway. Mine hosts and their staff are attentive and welcoming: the wine list extensive, with even carafes!! A pleasurable dining ambience is very difficult to achieve in old walls. We had the melon starters as a refreshing light starter. Then the recommended chicken supreme with truffled potatoes. which was tepid, bland and all totally flavourless. My guest had the cod and crab, which she found similar. I had the panna cotta which was beautifully presented, but custard-like, in a glass. It is always wrong to judge on a single dining experience, and I do not do so here, but I am surprised at the more glowing reviews. Nevertheless we wish Jonathan and Ronnie well in their new enterprise: advise the chef to actually taste what he cooks, and add the flavours which can tranform the simplest dish. I asked her whether she would come again. She said "no, the food is very expensive, average at best, hardly fine dining, and there is better quality and value elsewhere". On this experience, that says it all.
fredfD559NQ
Marvellous pub in lovely village setting. My wife and I visited on a Saturday evening and Pub was lively and busy. Very nice ambience and service was friendly and efficient. The menu was one that would fit all tastes form Family/Classics and Fine dining. My wife and I had Fine dining option with wife having Mackerel and Sea Bream for main and I had Scotch egg and Calves liver for main. Quality of ingredients,cooking and presentation was very good for pub/restaurant level and also there was a good wine list with good quality Sicilian white at £17.00 for 500ml carafe. Overall a very good experience and also very good value at £100 for 2 for 3 courses wine and coffees. Would recommend to anyone wanting a nice village pub with good quality food.
Harry Chapman
Great for veggies and meat eaters alike. Needed a stop off for lunch and the Michelin Guide recommended the Forester. It did not disappoint (pork tenderloin for reference)
Vicky Macfarlane
Very warm welcome and great atmosphere. We had Sunday lunch and it was alot nicer than the usual pub lunch. Puddings were very nice too. Lovely surroundings and pub garden. ?
Venetta Dudley
Nice pub as pubs go. Good was good - I ate vegetarian so can't say about the meat dishes. Friendly staff and just a sweet place to go and have a meal.
Johanna Barry
Super pub. Pretty thatched pub, lovely garden, very tasty food and a lovely environment. Really welcoming. Would definitely return.
Melissa H
We popped in here on our way back from Salisbury to have a drink and then decided to have have some lunch. Jonathon and Ronnie were very welcoming and the food was delicious. The lamb cutlets looked incredible and tasted even better. We will definitely be visiting again soon.
Restaurantji Recommends
R4844GJrebeccag
We literally stumbled across this on google for places to eat whilst on holiday .we had a long day at longleat and needed something a little extra,we definately found that here Starters were amazing . Poached eggs to perfection. Bruschetta pleasantly piled high and the Pate was amazing and for once i had enough bread ( rare ) the mains were beautiful. Risotto,sea bass and cod loin.all were fabulous. So much so i forgot to take pictures . Puds we had cheesecake . Rice pudding
stuartg1969
What a find!! Amazing food, best we have eaten in this area all week, truly awesome chef and some great beers. Highly recommended if you are into your food.
M7779UZianw
Lovely pub, great food and super cool waitress. highly recommend a visit to this rural establishment!!!
Meander155799
Went out to the Forester for a little wedding anniversary treat. We took our two small dogs and were all very warmly welcomed. The food was excellent and the chocolate bomb dessert to die for. Great atmosphere and absolutely delightful new owners with their equally delightful Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Soon due for a kitchen refurb but other than this open 7 days a week...we will definitely be back. Very highly recommended!
gillsE2687YP
I celebrated my birthday with 12 friends at the Forester Inn last night. We had a great evening. Delicious food - an extensive menu with all allergies and preferences well catered for. The ambiance was good, the pub really buzzing and busy but even so we were very well looked after. The one downer was a risotto that was late arriving but the landlord immediately offered not to charge for that meal. He knows how to keep a party happy! Well done all and we look forward to returning soon.
Morning Jonathan and Ronnie!.... Katie and I just wanted to say that we had an absolutely fantastic time at your pub yesterday!.... both of us had an outstanding meal (Katie had the ham, which she said was hands down the best she has ever had!.....and i had the pork which was simply sublime!!.) But also , and sometimes the most important, your staff were amazing. Friendly, attentive, fun and welcoming, they were a joy to be around and made our 'quick school run' lunch an even more pleasant experience!!.. we will be back!. Thank you ??
Found this stunning pub whilst on a lovely walk with a few friends so thought we would have a light bite to eat before continuing our journey. Everything was wonderful from the food to the service, we couldn't fault it. I recommend the bruschetta, perfection. Our only grievance was when we were approached by one of the staff members for a check back, there was a distinct smell of marijuana which wasn't very pleasant to smell whilst eating food. Still looking forward to another visit!
We visited The Foresters with family for a delayed Father’s Day meal. The Beef Sunday Lunch was amazing. Fresh vegetables , tender beef and lovely Yorkshire puddings. The chocolate brownie was freshly made and you could tell . The pub dates back to 1642 and full of character and charm. But list importantly you could tell the staff love what they are doing. It’s a destination pub and is well worth the visit. We will be back !
As supporters of local enterprises we booked on a Saturday following a positive review in the local paper. The website is highly professional and inviting, booking on-line refreshingly easy, and nice email reminders of our booking belies Jonathan and Ronnies experience in other notable New Forest haunts. The menu oozes colour and culinary flair. Every item ends with "99p" of I am always wary, but pricing is a personal matter and it cannot be easy to be profitable in todays circumstances, where reliance on custom has to be ultimately on a coterie of locals and passing trade, even more difficult in a rural hideaway. Mine hosts and their staff are attentive and welcoming: the wine list extensive, with even carafes!! A pleasurable dining ambience is very difficult to achieve in old walls. We had the melon starters as a refreshing light starter. Then the recommended chicken supreme with truffled potatoes. which was tepid, bland and all totally flavourless. My guest had the cod and crab, which she found similar. I had the panna cotta which was beautifully presented, but custard-like, in a glass. It is always wrong to judge on a single dining experience, and I do not do so here, but I am surprised at the more glowing reviews. Nevertheless we wish Jonathan and Ronnie well in their new enterprise: advise the chef to actually taste what he cooks, and add the flavours which can tranform the simplest dish. I asked her whether she would come again. She said "no, the food is very expensive, average at best, hardly fine dining, and there is better quality and value elsewhere". On this experience, that says it all.
Marvellous pub in lovely village setting. My wife and I visited on a Saturday evening and Pub was lively and busy. Very nice ambience and service was friendly and efficient. The menu was one that would fit all tastes form Family/Classics and Fine dining. My wife and I had Fine dining option with wife having Mackerel and Sea Bream for main and I had Scotch egg and Calves liver for main. Quality of ingredients,cooking and presentation was very good for pub/restaurant level and also there was a good wine list with good quality Sicilian white at £17.00 for 500ml carafe. Overall a very good experience and also very good value at £100 for 2 for 3 courses wine and coffees. Would recommend to anyone wanting a nice village pub with good quality food.
Great for veggies and meat eaters alike. Needed a stop off for lunch and the Michelin Guide recommended the Forester. It did not disappoint (pork tenderloin for reference)
Very warm welcome and great atmosphere. We had Sunday lunch and it was alot nicer than the usual pub lunch. Puddings were very nice too. Lovely surroundings and pub garden. ?
Nice pub as pubs go. Good was good - I ate vegetarian so can't say about the meat dishes. Friendly staff and just a sweet place to go and have a meal.
Super pub. Pretty thatched pub, lovely garden, very tasty food and a lovely environment. Really welcoming. Would definitely return.
We popped in here on our way back from Salisbury to have a drink and then decided to have have some lunch. Jonathon and Ronnie were very welcoming and the food was delicious. The lamb cutlets looked incredible and tasted even better. We will definitely be visiting again soon.
Restaurantji Recommends
We literally stumbled across this on google for places to eat whilst on holiday .we had a long day at longleat and needed something a little extra,we definately found that here Starters were amazing . Poached eggs to perfection. Bruschetta pleasantly piled high and the Pate was amazing and for once i had enough bread ( rare ) the mains were beautiful. Risotto,sea bass and cod loin.all were fabulous. So much so i forgot to take pictures . Puds we had cheesecake . Rice pudding
What a find!! Amazing food, best we have eaten in this area all week, truly awesome chef and some great beers. Highly recommended if you are into your food.
Lovely pub, great food and super cool waitress. highly recommend a visit to this rural establishment!!!
Went out to the Forester for a little wedding anniversary treat. We took our two small dogs and were all very warmly welcomed. The food was excellent and the chocolate bomb dessert to die for. Great atmosphere and absolutely delightful new owners with their equally delightful Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Soon due for a kitchen refurb but other than this open 7 days a week...we will definitely be back. Very highly recommended!
I celebrated my birthday with 12 friends at the Forester Inn last night. We had a great evening. Delicious food - an extensive menu with all allergies and preferences well catered for. The ambiance was good, the pub really buzzing and busy but even so we were very well looked after. The one downer was a risotto that was late arriving but the landlord immediately offered not to charge for that meal. He knows how to keep a party happy! Well done all and we look forward to returning soon.