Pork And Prawn Dim Sum
The Jolly Farmer

The Jolly Farmer

Farleigh Road, RG25 2NP, Basingstoke and Deane, United Kingdom

Pubs • Thai • Full • Lunch


"Joined two friends here on Friday evening for an impromptu meal and drinks. As it is one of the local pubs that we visit occasionally in villages surrounding our own we thought that there would be no need to book a table if we arrived early (7:45pm). We went to the bar to order drinks and pick up a menu before sitting down, where we were served by a very welcoming young lady behind the bar. Whilst being served a lady came in and waited behind us making a comment to the girl behind the bar that “it was nice to find a queue at the bar for a change”. As the lady was waiting to be served we took our drinks and went to sit down before ordering food. As we looked around all of the tables bar two had reserved signs placed on them, with only two couples sitting at tables. As we went to sit down at one of the two tables without reserved signs we were stopped by the Landlord and told that we couldn’t sit there and would have to go out to the back of the pub if we wanted to sit down. This we did, however the seating area at the back of the pub is a dirty, damp plastic covered extension that is not exactly the sort of place you would expect to eat in. Anyway, we complied and I then returned to the bar to ask the Landlord if they could cater for us if we wanted to eat, as it looked like they were going to be very busy. I was almost grudgingly given a single menu and returned to my friends. We decided to all order Scampi Chips, as that would be easy for the kitchen to prepare and serve if they were going to be busy. The food turned up in a timely manner and was well presented, although the Scampi was not real Scampi but probably processed fish as it resembled little potato croquettes being all the same size and shape. However, the food was fine and there were no issues other than the sarcastic comment from the Landlord about our choice of food when they specialise in Thai Curries. Well guess what sir, we would have ordered some of your specialty dishes if we had felt welcomed and not made to feel like we were an inconvenience to you!! We finished our meals, drank up and moved on to another local pub where we knew our custom would be welcomed. As we left I noticed that all the reserved tables we had seen in the main bar area were still empty as well! As a consequence to our experience I will not be returning and I very much doubt my two friends will either."