West Meon Hut - Caffeine & Machine
Discussion
So gave it another go yesterday, had a friend down from Scotland so thought we’d try the food.
Turned up to a focus RS meet in the lower gravel car park, I said I hadn’t pre booked and unlike last week where it felt busy I wasn’t asked to pay. Sent straight to the main car park in front of the pub and next to another Yaris. There was only about 5 cars in the main car park (I assume in the hope something nice will arrive).
Quite busy inside with good atmosphere but despite all the staff a bit confusing if it was table service or up at the bar, no menus, no table numbers staff walking around with iPads to take orders but just ignoring us every time we tried to get attention. Found some menus at the bar and ordered there but no payment as they come to the table??
Food came quick although drinks came mid meal and would give it an 8/10 for food, although they left of my mates extra bacon that he asked for 3 times when ordering for his burger.
Then the wait to pay, a gent nearby our whole meal had been trying to get someone’s attention to pay, they reminded him they would come to the table, he ended up paying at the bar and after a 15min wait of no empty plates being collected we did the same.
So good food let down by disappointing service whilst the venue was half full.
So with that my 3rd trip since opening I think it will be my last.
Turned up to a focus RS meet in the lower gravel car park, I said I hadn’t pre booked and unlike last week where it felt busy I wasn’t asked to pay. Sent straight to the main car park in front of the pub and next to another Yaris. There was only about 5 cars in the main car park (I assume in the hope something nice will arrive).
Quite busy inside with good atmosphere but despite all the staff a bit confusing if it was table service or up at the bar, no menus, no table numbers staff walking around with iPads to take orders but just ignoring us every time we tried to get attention. Found some menus at the bar and ordered there but no payment as they come to the table??
Food came quick although drinks came mid meal and would give it an 8/10 for food, although they left of my mates extra bacon that he asked for 3 times when ordering for his burger.
Then the wait to pay, a gent nearby our whole meal had been trying to get someone’s attention to pay, they reminded him they would come to the table, he ended up paying at the bar and after a 15min wait of no empty plates being collected we did the same.
So good food let down by disappointing service whilst the venue was half full.
So with that my 3rd trip since opening I think it will be my last.
Was there this morning, turned up at about 9:15 without a ticket (didn’t fancy paying in advance if it was empty) and didn’t get asked to pay.
My lad enjoyed himself and the food and coffee were good. Wandered over to loomies to see the bikes too. Nice couple with the delorean were inviting people to sit in it, which is always nice.
At any one point, there were only maybe 6-8 “nice” cars there and a few other enthusiast type cars. Didn’t feel like a car meet, which must be the vibe they are going for. Needed 4x the customers I’d have thought to get the car meet feel going. Nice venue, but hasn’t picked up as a destination yet.
My son took the photos, so excuse the thumbs
My lad enjoyed himself and the food and coffee were good. Wandered over to loomies to see the bikes too. Nice couple with the delorean were inviting people to sit in it, which is always nice.
At any one point, there were only maybe 6-8 “nice” cars there and a few other enthusiast type cars. Didn’t feel like a car meet, which must be the vibe they are going for. Needed 4x the customers I’d have thought to get the car meet feel going. Nice venue, but hasn’t picked up as a destination yet.
My son took the photos, so excuse the thumbs
Edited by jimmy156 on Monday 27th May 13:42
It's really weird about the numbers. I think I have been 3 or maybe 4 times, and there were more people than that each time.
All have been specific evenings, though, and one random Saturday afternoon.
Agreed regarding the food and coffee, quite a lot better than you get from some places in the area, and slightly cheaper than most pubs. My daughter had a pizza and chips for £6, and it was pretty big too.
All have been specific evenings, though, and one random Saturday afternoon.
Agreed regarding the food and coffee, quite a lot better than you get from some places in the area, and slightly cheaper than most pubs. My daughter had a pizza and chips for £6, and it was pretty big too.
Went on Fathers Day for breakfast.
Couple of nice cars there at 10am, they put the clubman right outside, because well, its clearly very cool
Food /drink was lovely, when it actually arrived ... just over an hour for 2 coffees, two fry ups & pancakes to turn up was a bit daft. None of the staff seemed to know what they were doing and ordering kept being given to the wrong people. Needless to say, trying to keep a 2 year old and 4 year old entertained for that long was interesting. As a positive, they knocked both fry up off the bill as an apology - apparently the kitchen printing wasnt working properly, which makes sense as it was chaos in there.
I'd happily go again as on a sunny day - sat outside listening to the music and watching the world go by was nice and the kids loved playing in the field.
Would just buy drinks from the bar though.
Couple of nice cars there at 10am, they put the clubman right outside, because well, its clearly very cool
Food /drink was lovely, when it actually arrived ... just over an hour for 2 coffees, two fry ups & pancakes to turn up was a bit daft. None of the staff seemed to know what they were doing and ordering kept being given to the wrong people. Needless to say, trying to keep a 2 year old and 4 year old entertained for that long was interesting. As a positive, they knocked both fry up off the bill as an apology - apparently the kitchen printing wasnt working properly, which makes sense as it was chaos in there.
I'd happily go again as on a sunny day - sat outside listening to the music and watching the world go by was nice and the kids loved playing in the field.
Would just buy drinks from the bar though.
Max M4X WW said:
Fairly consistent comments about servie, apart from the wait! Did they say anything during that hour wait or did you chase it up? Like you say that is quite a long time!
As I have said before here, our 4-year-old really enjoyed her pizza; she still often mentions it!
I chased it up after an hour as my youngest was definitely about to run out of patience As I have said before here, our 4-year-old really enjoyed her pizza; she still often mentions it!
No one came to check on us before that though, daft really as there was maybe only 5 tables being used in the restaturant area at that point.
Gassing Station | South Coast | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff