The Shoe Inn - Winchester

We booked another family reunion lunch at the end of December 2023, the same as on previous years. I have to eat a limited diet , fried food or fatty high dishes like Pastry is not allowed. I was thus very disappointed they no longer offered the 'Buddha Bowl ' which used to be delicious and filling. I asked our Server whether they could offer me a mixed Salad but she said if it wasn 't on the menu , I couldn 't have it ! I find it difficult to believe the kitchen staff could not have put together a few chopped Tomatoes, Cucumber , Peppers and Lettuce ? As I had to 'stick to the menu ' I reluctantly had to settle on a main meal sized Goats Cheese salad. This consisted of 2 lumps of Goats Cheese, a big sprinkling of inedible Rocket, 3-4 meagre pieces of citric rind. As Goat 's Cheese is 'fatty ' I could only eat part of 1 lump and had leave the rest. The rest of my party enjoyed their lunch but I am afraid I was still hungry.

Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff. Poor choice of ales. Great bread/oil. Good mussels. Pork belly was dry. Wrap was soggy. Expensive wines considering the quality. Disappointing overall.

We visited for a Monday lunch with my wife’s son as a belated birthday lunch for him. I had the steak pie which was delicious although a bit difficult to get at with a square dish. We like the complimentary bread and balsamic vinegar while we were waiting for our main course. I had a cheese cake for desert which was a bit stodgy. The drinks were good and service too. The bill at £120 plus for the three of us which was a bit pricy for a country pub.

Had Sunday lunch with a party of 10 today. The food was perfect, the staff couldn’t have been more helpful and welcoming and it was very reasonably priced. It’s a ten from me! Thank you.

Stopped for lunch here on a busy Saturday. Staff seemed up against it but were responsive, friendly and efficient. The choices we made were standard pub grub but I’d like to go back and try some of the other dishes. My burger was great although serving it on a tray made it really hard to eat! We had a chocolate brownie for dessert which was gooey and delicious. Would like to come again. Thanks for looking after us.