REVIEW: The Fox & Goose, Greywell (From Basingstoke Gazette)

REVIEW: The Fox & Goose, Greywell

12:00am Monday 11th June 2012 in Taste and Tell By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

The Fox & Goose

The Street, Greywell, RG29 1BY

01256 702062

Foxandgoosegreywell.co.uk

BEING presented with a creased, paper menu covered in food stains didn’t exactly fill me with confidence that The Fox & Goose was going to be a positive experience.

And when my partner and I sat down at a very sticky table, it added to the apprehension.

I had to go up to the bar to order, and having carefully studied the menu and selecting lamb shank for my main, I was disappointed to be told after ordering that it wasn’t available.

I felt rushed to choose something else and instead opted for beef lasagne with salad and garlic bread costing £9.45.

Our whitebait starter, which cost £5.45, arrived alarmingly quickly but it tasted nice, with a decent crispy bite to the breaded fish.

The waitress brought over various dishes meant for other tables, and was somewhat confused by the orders, shouting out to the kitchen to ask who the food was for.

When our main courses arrived, mine was accompanied by chips which were not mentioned on the menu.

The portion size was overwhelmingly large, and I pushed the unwelcome chips to one side to make room on the plate.

My partner’s lamb with mint sauce, mashed potato and cauliflower cheese was dull in colour and could have benefited from a selection of fresh vegetables. He assured me it tasted fine, although commented that the lamb was overcooked.

My lasagne was swimming in tomato sauce, which tasted very sweet and I suspected came from a jar. The cheese was barely melted, and the pasta was slightly soggy, but the beef tasted nice, with an added bonus of mushrooms.

The garlic bread appeared homemade and tasted delicious, but it was impossible to eat everything without feeling uncomfortably full.

For dessert, we shared spotted dick with custard.

I would have preferred something less heavy after such a big meal, but the choices were limited.

The delicate, subtle spices were an excellent combination and it was the only course we managed to finish.

I would probably return for a drink at this pub, which is ideally located for countryside walks.