You can’t fault the décor of this pub, it’s really cosy with
wooden beams and low-lighting…not forgetting a crackling fire! Really great location,
situated just off the Southampton Common. A perfect pit stop after a walk in
the park.
We went on a Sunday and my, was it busy! Next time I’m definitely
booking. We decided to sit outside, but of course it started to rain (typical,
having one of those days as they say) so we propped ourselves up at the bar and
waited for our roast sharing platter…whilst drinkers took up the tables…
The Cowherds is a typical pub where you have to order at the
bar and pay beforehand etc etc...Not that that’s a problem, normal procedure I
guess, just I prefer to sit in my seat and not move, I’m not a diva, I promise.
Anyway a waitress wonders by shouting out a table number
holding a roast platter…it must be ours I said, wrong table number. So we
carried on sipping our drinks and finally a table becomes free…I honestly did
some barging to get this! Did not fancy eating a big old roast at the bar,
especially as it was a sharing platter, otherwise I wouldn’t have minded.
Two hours later…still no roast. I hate complaining and asking
where food is when I can see a restaurant is busy, having worked in one myself
it is really aggravating and there’s not much you can do when a restaurant is
heaving. Patience is the key…but in my opinion two hours was a bit much. We went
to investigate and discovered the roast that wondered past earlier was in fact
ours and they had put our order under the wrong number, or given us the wrong
spoon.
When the roast did arrive, it was lovely! Great size for two
and a great selection of meat (beef, pork, turkey) and the roast potatoes where
golden, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside! Just how I like them. The
only improvements I’d suggest is a thicker gravy (we all love a bit of Ahh...Bisto, but I can do that at home), more stuffing…my ball was the
size of a thimble, and finally for the condiments to left on the table. The waitress
gave us a spoon full of horseradish and that was it. Although, we were given a
free round of drinks for the delay in having our meal, which was nice, but I was driving and a free coke doesn't really make up for much. I guess
next time we’ll just have to book!
We didn’t mind the wait too much as we were busy chatting
away, but no waiting staff came to check up on us or see if everything was
okay. Yes it is a pub, and they were busy, but simple waiting standards were
slightly dropped and these can make a good meal an excellent meal.
