New Forest
Cafe Aroma

Cafe Aroma

25 Southampton Road, BH24 1HB, New Forest, United Kingdom

Steak • Vegan • Coffee • British


"We decided to go out fro breakfast and Cafe Aroma was the first place we came across. The place was busy when we walked in so we sat at a small table opposite the kitchen. We ordered 1 tea, 1 coffee, 1 Maxi Breakfast and 1 late breakfast without tomato. The drinks were served promptly. They already had added milk to the tea which is unfortunate as people like to take it differently and this was not to my taste. While we were waiting for our food we witnessed several plates being returned as items had been added that had not been wanted. I witnessed the cook move other items on to another plate and sending them back out. This could have had severe consequences if the customers had requested the items not be included due to an allergy. When our food was served it seemed to be excessively greasy, items such as the fried bread had been cooked in oil. Obviously I did not eat it. A waitress came over and asked if I was finished (while my partner was still eating) and I told her of the problem. Her response was oh really in a disinterested tone. She took the plate and did not report the issue to the kitchen and more importantly did NOT apologise. I also noticed that a Mr Muscle bottle had been reused for a different substance (Mr Muscle is not dark green) which is a Health and Safety No no! This had been intended as a treat for my partner and I. However, we left with a bad taste in our mouths for a number of reasons."

The Crown Stirrup

The Crown Stirrup

12 Clayhill, New Forest, United Kingdom

Meat • Steak • Chicken • Desserts


"After all of the Celebrities chefs raising awareness on British cuisine, we have gone all the way backwards. What a disappointment the Crown Stirrup was, I came from Bournemouth to enjoy a good and traditional Sunday Lunch in the New Forrest. Did anyone tell the owner its post COVID so get your garden cleaned up. The place looks closed, and it was quite and the reason could be the food the most disappointing area served by staff that have their trousers hanging around their thighs exposing underpants and buttocks to the customers while they ate. I ordered Whitebait which were as big as sardines, so big they were coated in breadcrumbs and placed on top of the tartare sauce (not freshly made) small side salad no lemon. Whitebait are sprat, small about an inch long coated in milk and seasoned flour served with a vessel of tartare sauce and side of lemon, can have sprinkling of paprika or Cayenne. Oh but the main course was something else, overcooked beef with rubber roasts peas and carrots coated in flavorless packet gravy, glossy and shiny awful, and the red cabbage same watery purple liquid finished off with supermarket horseradish sauce. All through lunch some music blaring through what seemed like a transistor radio. Just when you thought it was safe to venture out for Sunday Lunch there is the Crown Stirrup in Lyndhurst. Close up not good for british pubs and its culinary scene."

Pilgrim Inn

Pilgrim Inn

Hythe Rd, SO40 4WU, New Forest, United Kingdom

Steak • Salads • Cheese • Coffee


"We had a family lunch here yesterday and was to be a happy occasion catching up but was hampered by really bad service. We ordered 5 Sunday roast plates. Were given only 1 gravy dish serving for 2 person. Would have thought it’s easy maths when it’s 5 roasts at least bring 2 or 3 gravy’s worth. Told the waitress we needed 2 more as everyone does love gravy and it took about 20 minutes before we got the second gravy by which our beef roasts had turned cold. We ordered chips but was given purple cabbage instead so told the waitress who took our order and attended to our table. The chips arrived about 15 minutes later. Asked what happened to our third gravy which by this time we have given up and decidedly thought we are not going to even be bothered with ordering puddings and just want to get out of here soon as we can. Too frustrating as we only communicated with this one waitress who seemed not to understand or know what to do. Finally third gravy arrived with the manager as we have requested to speak with and she explained that that’s the last gravy dish and that they had made a big pot that day plus gravy should have been on our roast when served. We explained that we were served with no gravy on our plates hence the ask. She seems at lost on what to do and said that’s not how they usually serve their roasts. I have a photo of my roast plate without gravy here. I then suggest that the manager talk to the kitchen staff as it’s clearly something they need to sort internally. We saw another table earlier on where two person having roasts were given 2 gravy dish! And we were 5 people. Overall food was delicious but not coming back for the terrible service though to be fair they did give us a 10 percent discount and we did pay for the purple cabbage which we hadn’t ordered but eaten anyway."