Basingstoke and Deane
The Star Inn

The Star Inn

Newbury Road, RG20 5TR, Basingstoke and Deane, United Kingdom

Pub • Steak • Vegan • British


"What a horrendous experience. I really don’t know where to start, we work hard all year and finished work on Friday 22nd so booked to go to the star on Saturday to start our family Christmas celebrations. Were had a dreadful year and were looking forward to a nice meal out. Firstly when we arrived the waitress came within minutes to take our order. I asked if we could order drinks and just give us a few minutes to look at the food menu. My son ordered a regular Coke, I ordered the Christmas cosmo cocktail and my husband the zero alcohol peroni. My god this was hard work , firstly I was told they might not be able to do the cocktail, my son was brought a pint of Coke and my husband a pint of peroni? He queried if it was correct as shed checked at least 3 times before what he wanted and was assured it was. However a few minutes later the waitress rushed over to advise it was in fact alcohol!! She then didn’t come back to take our food order for over 30 mins (I’d point out at this point the restaurant was more than half empty) When taking the food order we ordered the cheesy garlic bread , chorizo bites and olives to share as a starter. We were advised they didn’t have any cheese , so the bread would just be garlic bread. We agreed that would be fine. My husband ordered the duo of lamb, sorry no lamb was the response ! Eventually after another long wait our starters came out and omg ! The garlic bread was burnt to a crisp ! Black ! My husband took this back to the waitress and told her to take it back and take off our bill. How on earth any self respecting chef let that leave the kitchen , or a waitress bring that to a customer’s table is insulting. When the mains came we were at the point of giving up. Both my husbands main and my main were cold !! Stone cold. We decided to just eat what we could and get out of there. So we asked for the bill. We waited and waited and waited. All the time all three members of staff were huddled around the til. Obviously having an issue. But instead of coming over and apologising for the wait we were left sitting there. Eventually after calling IT they resolved the issue. On the way out my husband did express how bad the experience was. The manager offered to deduct something off the bill. But that would make no difference to our ruined lunch out. The food is below par, the prices were an absolute rip off!! Nearly £30 for a burger with a pig in blanket screwed to the top. I will not be returning here. It was a shame because 13 months ago we’d had a lovely meal , but this experience was horrendous. Never again"

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."