Salisbury Life
Restaurant Reviews
The Walnut Tree Inn
Shaftesbury Road
Mere, Wilts, BA12 6BH
tel: 01747 861220
www.walnut-tree-inn.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8.30am-11pm; Sunday 11am-10.30pm
We visited: Thursday lunchtime
Prices: £3.25 –£9.95; mains £5.75 – £14.95
Do they welcome children? Absolutely
Vegetarian choice: Extensive
Disabled access: Yes
Wine list: A great selection of classics
Service and atmosphere: Friendly and homely
"Rather more full than we could care to admit, we had to give the pudding course a miss, despite the classic selection, with quintessential British puds such as bread-and-butter and syrup sponge, profiteroles and chocolate fudge cake to tempt us.
There’s a reason people come back time and time again to The Walnut Tree Inn. It’s run by a family who care about its customers and its wares. Food is wholesome and hearty, staff are charmingly friendly and everyone – from couples to families and 97-year-olds – seems to have a genuinely good time. What more could you ask?"
Reviewed: Issue 108
Published: Jan 10
The White Hart Inn
The BoroughDownton
tel: 01725 510408
www.whitehorseinn.co.uk
We visited: Thursday evening
Prices: Starters £5.95-£6.95, mains £8.95-£13.95, pudding £4.95-£6.95
Do they welcome children? They certainly do, also grannies and dogs
Vegetarian choice: Good
Disabled access: Good
Wine list: Good, but the beers are better
Service and atmosphere: Relaxed, friendly and lovely
"Kate’s monkfish was rather more delicate, but no less tasty. The fish was cooked to a T, melt in the mouth stuff, with a peppery sauce to add a bit of tang to the dish.
At Paul’s recommendation we shared a sticky toffee pudding, complete with home-made ice cream for dessert, as he regaled us with the local history. The pud was all he claimed it to be, quite the best sticky toffee pudding I’ve had in ages. As for the history, well, we’ve discussed that, and I think I’m just more disappointed than angry. So close Paul, so very close…"
Reviewed: Issue 107
Published: Dec 09
The Pembroke Arms
The Pembroke Arms
Shaftesbury Road, Fovant
Salisbury
tel: 01722 714201
We visited: Friday lunchtime
Vegetarian choice: Varied
Disabled access: Street level entrance and loos
Wine list: Surprisingly comprehensive and included all of my favourites from sancerre to New Zealand sauvignon blanc
Service and atmosphere: Informed and charming. Popular buzz to the place
Prices: Starters £5 -£9.60; mains £6.95- £21.95; dessert £4.75 - £7.95 (set menus also available)
"All in all it was fine lunch: simple pub grub executed with a healthy addition of gastronomic flair, served up by friendly staff – we were exceptionally well looked after by
the front-of-house manager Helen – in relaxed surrounds. If the Earl of Pembroke hasn’t already tried it, we’re sure he’d be as pleasantly surprised as we were"
Reviewed: Issue 106
Published: Nov 09
Thai Orchid
58a Fisherton Street
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 414778
www.thaiorchidsalisbury.co.uk
Opening hours: lunch: 12noon-2.30pm; dinner 5.30pm-10.30pm daily
We visited: Tuesday lunchtime
Prices: Starters £1-£7.50; mains £7.95-£13.50
Vegetarian choice: A good selection of starters, sides and main courses
Disabled access: there will be when the restaurant opens downstairs
Service and atmosphere: Surprisingly busy for a Tuesday lunchtime; friendly, lively
*Book a table after 5.30pm on 29 October and receive 20% off your total bill
"Perhaps unsurprisingly we were unable to finish the full six courses (despite giving it a good go), let alone contemplate the dessert menu. The Thai Orchid certainly sated my craving, and Joe’s now a convert – so job done. With food this good we’ll definitely be back and we can’t wait to see the new-look restaurant."
Reviewed: Issue 104
Published: Oct 09
The Beckford Arms
Fonthill Gifford, Tisbury
Wiltshire
Tel: 01747 870385
www.beckfordarms.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-11pm. Sun 10am-10.30pm
We visited: Friday lunchtime
Prices: Starters: £4.50-£6.50; Mains: £9.50-£16; puddings £5
Do they welcome children? Absolutely
Vegetarian choice: varied
Wine list: local ales, quality lagers and an interesting and varied wine list
Service and atmosphere: really good service, friendly but not overly fussy, with a pleasingly chilled out atmosphere
The Beckford Arms has attention to details down to a ‘T’, even down to the wonderful-smelling hand soap and moisturiser in the bathrooms that are made especially for them locally. They have cosy movie nights on Sundays, a private dining room that would certainly make you feel the part of Lord of the manor and enough rooms to accommodate a shooting party. Food – check. Ambience – check. Drink – check. This place has it all.
Reviewed: Issue 103
Published: September 09
The Old Mill Hotel
Town Path,
Harnham,
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 327517
www.theoldmillsalisbury.com
We visited: Friday lunchtime
Prices for lunch menu: Starters £5.25-£10.95; mains £8.95-£14.95; desserts £5.25-£5.95
Vegetarian choice: Good
Disabled access: A few steps to negotiate
Wine list: Extensive wine list with a large whisky selection
Service and atmosphere: Friendly and efficient while the 12th-century restaurant is not short on features
On the way out we noticed the huge beergarden with views over the river and out towards the cathedral. The Old Mill certainly ticks all the right location boxes and unlike so many places it ticks the food box too. I’m just thankful that we made it to the right hotel.
Reviewed: Issue 102
Published: August 09
Salisbury Seafood & Steak House
206 Castle Street
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 424110
We visited: Friday lunchtime
Prices: Starters £3.95-£7.50; mains £9.50-£21.95
Do they welcome children? They do
Vegetarian choice: Surprisingly good
Disabled access: Excellent
Wine list: Fairly comprehensive
Service and atmosphere: The charming and thoroughly professional staff really know their onions, meatwise
"Of course a steak on its own is rather like King Arthur without his knights: a little lost and lonely and unable to complete its role in life. Here the supporting cast of chips, tomato, meaty mushroom and bearnaise sauce gave sterling support to the principal. The béarnaise sauce was particularly good, but so fine was the steak that I was loathe to disguise the taste with even the greatest sauce. Instead it served as a handy dunking device for the crisp chips. Pudding was offered and declined (though the cheesecake looked amazing), replaced instead by an enlivening espresso – the perfect end to an excellent and highly recommended meal."
Reviewed: Issue 101
Published: August 09
La Mollina
18 Butchers Row
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 555888
www.lamollina.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 10.30am-late; Sat, 8.30am-late; Sun, 10am-4pm
Prices: Tapas comes in at about £3.95 per dish and double-size raciones are available. Paella to share is £18.95, but the menu is extensive!
Do they welcome children? Yes
Vegetarian choice: Good
Disabled access: A couple of small steps to negotiate
Service and atmosphere: Friendly and efficient, with a relaxing, buzzy atmosphere
Friendly, laidback and attractive, La Mollina is a top little coffee house/restaurant, whether you’re on your own, dining with friends or just looking for a pitstop to feed the kids while shopping. For that café society feel in an ideal location and for a great price, we’ll definitely be back.
Reviewed: Issue 100
Published: July 09
The King John Inn
Tollard Royal
Salisbury
Wiltshire
Tel: 01725 516207
Opening hours: Lunch 12-2pm, dinner 7-9pm
We visited: Wednesday lunch
Prices: Starters £5.23-£5.95; mains £8.50-£13.50; puddings £5.25-£7
Vegetarian choice: Reasonable
Disabled access: Good
Wine list: Enormous, comprehensive and very fine indeed
Service and atmosphere: A cut above your usual country pub experience
If this really is Mr Ritchie’s local (Salisbury Life does have its spies everywhere but we could have been misled), he’s chosen well. Which is lucky for him really, as unless his next film grosses a little more than the last he’ll be spending a lot of time there. Perhaps he’s on the lookout for a talented scriptwriter? I’m very reasonable, did I mention that?
Reviewed: Issue 99
Published: June 09
The Forester
Donhead St Andrew
Shaftesbury
Tel: 01747 828038
Opening hours: Food is served Mon-Sun 12-2pm and 6.30-9pm Mon-Sat
We visited: Wednesday lunchtime
Prices: Starters £4.50-£9, mains between £7.50-£17.50, puds £4.50-£8.50
Do they welcome children? Absolutely
Vegetarian choice: Three starters, mains limited
Disabled access: Yes, but you would need to ring and reserve a table
Wine list: Extensive
Service and atmosphere: Relaxed but efficient staff with a buzzy, local pub vibe
"We may have been ravenous when we arrived, but even with our best intentions to be in for the long haul, we really couldn’t find a single bit of room to try the delights of the puds; vanilla crème brulee with raspberry sorbet (£6); an artisan cheeseboard (£8.50) or the classic Bakwell tart with vanilla ice-cream (£5.50).
It’s time to call off the search for the elusive perfect country pub; we think we’ve found it.
"The only thing that I don’t love about this place is that it’s not closer to Salisbury. But I assure you, the drive is more than worth it."
Reviewed: Issue 98
Published: June 09
Gastrobistro
17 Salt Lane
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 414926
www.gastrobistro.co.uk
Opening hours: Open seven days a week
We visited: Tuesday lunchtime
Prices: Starters £4.50-£5.65, mains £7-£14.80. They also do some very good lunch deals, while on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights you can bring your own wine
Do they welcome children? Yes, there’s a children’s menu
Vegetarian choice: reasonable
Disabled access: Good
Wine list: Excellent
Watching her polish it off, I had to smother a pang of envy, but consoled myself with the thought that I can have it next time.
Because we will be back. To have a bistro this good in the centre of the city and not go again and again would be a criminal waste. It’s reason enough not to have to go abroad this summer! After the eggs I’ll go for the Toulouse sausages, then the cassoulet, then perhaps the seafood brochette. Vive le France, I say.
Reviewed: Issue 97
Published: May 09
The Greyhound
31 High Street
Stockbridge
Tel: 01264 810833
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-2.30pm, 7pm-9.30pm. Sunday 12pm-2.30pm
We visited: Thursday lunchtime
Prices: Bar menu £4.20-£15. Main menu £5.50-£20
Vegetarian choice: Good, a couple of choices per menu
Disabled access: Good
Service and atmosphere: Warm and welcoming, but really friendly staff
"...But it was the pork, oh the pork, that was the real triumph. Pork belly is naturally fatty, something that gives it its wonderful taste, and here the fat has crisped and bubbled on top, while remaining gelatinously sweet – nutty almost – within, the meat below flaking off at the touch of my fork, moist and full of flavour.
"It was perfect pub lunch: filling, tasty, eaten in lovely surroundings. Yes readers, it’s another great Salisbury pub for you to visit. What are you waiting for?"
Reviewed: Issue 96
Published: April 09
The Lamb Inn
Hindon, 
Wiltshire
Tel: 01747 820573
www.lambathindon.co.uk
Opening hours: lunch; Mon-Sun 12-2.30pm; and Mon-Sat; 6.30pm-9.30pm; Sun 6-9pm
We visited: Thursday lunchtime
Prices: Starters from £4.75-£9.50; mains from £7.50-18.95, puddings all £5.45
Do they welcome children? Yes – there is a separate children’s menu available
Vegetarian choice: Very good
Disabled access: Yes
Wine list: excellent, broad real ale selection and rumoured to have the largest whisky menu in Wiltshire
"As far as the campaign trail goes, it’s obvious that the Lamb at hindon doesn’t need our help – it has after all been up and running for around 800 years. Full of nooks and crannies, from the whisky & cigar bar to the sitting room and the more formal dining room, this is a pub that’s as much about the character of the surroundings as the food: and thankfully for us they both live up to expectation."
Reviewed: Issue 95
Published: April 09
The Fox & Hounds
The Green,
East Knoyle
Wiltshire
Tel: 01747 830573
Opening hours: Food served 12noon-2.30pm and 6.30pm-9.30pm
We visited: Tuesday lunchtime
Prices: Starters £4-£6. Main £6-£15. Puddings £4.50
Do they welcome children? Yes
Vegetarian choice: Very good
Disabled access: A few steps in the porch
Wine list: Good, but the beer is the real attraction
Service and atmosphere: A proper country pub
"The curry that might have been was swiftly forgotten when her second fishy plate was brought out, this time in the guise of a pie (£12). Generous hunks of perfectly-cooked cod, salmon and haddock interspersed with prawns were immersed in a creamy yet not-too-rich sauce, the whole dish topped with crisp, golden crumbs and a sprinkling of fresh herbs.
"We followed these with sticky toffee pudding that was the real thing; a properly good sponge in a great rib-coating sauce. If all country pubs are as good as The Fox & Hounds, then STOP could be dead in the water. I, for, one won’t be complaining."
Reviewed: Issue 94
Published: March 09
Charter 1227
6/7 Ox Row,
The Market Square,
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 333118
www.charter1227.co.uk
Opening hours: Lunch; Mon-Sat 12 noon-2.30pm; Dinner; Tues-Sat 6-9.30pm
We visited: Monday lunchtime
Prices: Starters £4.95-£6.95; Mains £9.95-£13.95. Pudding; £4.95. lunch/pre-theatre set menu; 2 courses for £10, 3 courses for £12.27
Do they welcome children? Yes
Vegetarian choice: Good
Disabled access: The restaurant is on the first floor, so quite a few steps
Service and atmosphere: Warm, friendly and efficient in relaxed surrounds
“After a brief dalliance with the idea of the sea bass fillet with smoked paprika potato and fennel buerre blanc, I too, opted for something robust; the slightly odd-sounding combination of pan-roasted duck (£13.95). I was presented with a plate of food that looked like a very tasty piece of art, and despite my initial naïve reservations, this was a flavour combination that really worked.”
“Mr Bozic hasn’t lost his touch.”
Reviewed: Issue 93
Published: Feb 09
Chutneys
22 Salisbury Street
Shaftesbury
Tel: 01747 852585
www.chutneys.com
Opening hours: Lunch 12-2.30pm. Dinner 6-11.30pm. Weekends 6pm-12am
We visited: Tuesday lunchtime
Prices: Starters, £2.55-£5.95. Chef’s Specials £7.25-£12.25. Mains £5.15-£12.25
Vegetarian choice: Excellent
Disabled access: Good
Wine list: Surprisingly comprehensive
Service and atmosphere: Hard to judge, going as we did at lunchtime, but rumour has it that it’s buzzing in the evenings
"My acharr gosth proved a revelation: tender strips of beautifully cooked lamb, tossed in a tomatoey sauce full of garlic, coriander and ginger. While there wasn’t much in the way of a kick to it, the combination of favours rendered any need for chillis redundant. A very gratifying choice, this dish has definitely made it onto the favourites list.
"We left feeling remarkably buoyant, with none of that bloated, weighed-down feeling that can overwhelm you after the usual curry-and-a-pint fest. To be honest, I’m contemplating making the lunchtime curry a bit of a regular routine from now on, which if adhered to will doubtless have me looking like a pleasingly on-message 21st-century John Bull in no time at all."
Reviewed: Issue 92
Published: Jan / Feb 09
Wagamama
8-10 Bridge Street 
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 412165
www.wagamama.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm; Sun 12noon-10pm
We visited: Tuesday lunctime
Prices: Sides £1.30-£4.85; mains; £6.20-£10.05; puddings £1.50-£4.50
Do they welcome children? Yes and there is a special children’s menu available
Vegeatrain choice: Comprehensive
Disabled access: Flat entrance – no steps or ramps
Service and atmosphere: Informal, relaxed and buzzy with very friendly staff
"So Wagamama may not be the place for a lingering dinner à deux, but for well-priced, well-cooked, fresh food in a no-frills atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed."
Reviewed: Issue 91
Published: Jan 09
Da Vinci
14 Castle Street
Salisbury
SP1 3TS
Tel: 01722 328402
Food freshly prepared with Italian passion and served in a stylish surroundings.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 12noon – 2.30pm. 6pm – 10.30pm. Saturday: 12noon – 2.30pm. 6pm – 11pm. Sunday: CLOSED
Prices: starters from £6.50. Mains from £8.95. Puddings from £4.50
Vegetarian choice: Yes
Do they welcome children? Yes
Disabled access: Yes
Reviewed: Issue 90
Published: Dec 08
The Angel Inn
Upton Scudamore
Warminster
Wiltshire
Tel: 01985 213225
Opening hours: Midday to 2pm, 6pm to 9.30pm (last orders) daily
We visited: Wednesday evening
Prices: Lunch menu £10.95 for two courses
Do they welcome children? Welcome is well-behaved
Disabled access: No access to loos
Wine list: Varied; champagne by the glass £6
Service and atmosphere: Excellent service, not very busy the night we were there
Reviewed: Issue 89
Published: Nov / Dec 08
"Not only is the food superb here, with a wine list featuring both European and New World wines and local beers on tap, but the atmosphere is too. The staff are all smiley, swift and professional, the interior pristine with the bar open to the rafters, deep terracotta walls and checked curtains, and next door a dining room painted in neutral colours with an eclectic mix of art on the walls. Tables are scrubbed pine, flooring polished planks of wood and the whole place has a buzz about it.
"Yup, the Angel is my idea of heaven."
The Somerset Arms
Chruch Street
Maiden Bradley
Tel: 01985 844207
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 12-2.30pm, 7.30-9.30 pm, closed Sunday evening, Mon evening bar food only
We visited: Tuesday evening
Prices: Tue-Fri 2-course lunch menu £9.95
Do they welcome children? Of course
Vegetarian choice: Enough alternatives
Disabled access: Possible
Wine list: well considered
Service and atmosphere: service could be better, atmosphere in bar hoppin’ and jumpin’
“The Somerset Arms successfully walks the fine line between somewhere to go for a quick beer in the bar, settle in with the papers in the comfort of a large sofa, or enjoy an excellent dinner and, even better, it’s great value for money.”
Reviewed: Issue 88
Published: Nov 08
Anokaa
60 Fisherton Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP2 7RB
Tel: 01722 414142
Opening hours: Mon-Thu lunch midday-2.30pm; dinner 5.30pm-10.30pm, Fri-Sun 5.30-11pm.
Vegetarian choice: Plenty of choice
Prices: Starters from £3.55, main courses £9.95-£14.55, puds
Children: Welcome
Disabled access: Accessible
As special as it proclaims, a culinary twist to the usual Indian menu and everything presented with panache. Waiters couldn’t have been more charming, yet weren’t intrusive.
"It certainly wasn’t the usual crowd one expects in a curry house on a Saturday night…what credit crunch? The couple next to us were drinking Taittinger champagne – yes, the tables are somewhat close together, but it does encourage people to chat to their neighbours – and everyone looked prosperous and happy."
Reviewed: Issue 87
Published: Oct / Nov 08
The Alice Lisle
Rockford Green
Ringwood
Hampshire BH24 3NA
Tel: 01425 474700
Opening hours: Drinks: 11am – 11pm, Food: Mon-Fri midday-2pm and 6pm-9pm; Saturdays midday-9pm; Sundays midday-8pm,
Prices: Starters from £3.95, main courses from £7.95
Our verdict: Great place for families at the weekends, and not half bad in the evenings either.
‘It’s a funny thing, but when you have children things change. No, I don’t just mean the sleepless nights, dwindling bank account and the inability to spot baby sick on your shoulder: or is it more that I am sooo tired I just don’t care anymore? No, one of the other things is your world starts to shrink. There are places you used to frequent happily that are suddenly no-go areas. I’m thinking of peaceful gardens, quiet churches and…decent pubs…
‘…Now I am not holding The Alice Lisle up as a shrine to Heston Blumenthal, but it ain’t half bad and they are making a big effort to make things even better.’
Reviewed: Issue 86
Published: Oct 08
The Oak Inn
Pinkney Lane, Bank
Lyndhurst
Hampshire
SO43 7FE
tel: 02380 282350
www.fullers.co.uk
"Neat, clean and tidy with scrubbed wood tables, stripped wood panelling, milk churn bar stools, beamed freplace, candles and just the right amount of nic nacs to be interesting without being fussy and cluttered. Bit surprised to see spears on the ceiling though."
“The staff must have art O-levels – the puddings were a work of art”
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 11.30-3.30pm, 6-11.30pm Food 12-2.30pm, 6-9pm Sat: 11.30am-11.30pm. Food midday to 2.30pm, 6-9.30pm, Sunday: midday to 11pm. Food midday to 2.30pm, 6-9pm,
Prices: Starters from £4.75, Mains from £6.95
Reviewed: Issue 85
Published: September 08
The Ship Inn
Burcombe Lane
Burcombe, Salisbury
Wiltshire SP2 0EJ
Tel: 01722 743182
www.theshipburcombe.co.uk
“We spent a good five minutes just feasting with our eyes”
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11am– 3pm; 6pm – 11pm Sunday and bank holidays: 12 – 3pm; 6.30pm – 10.30pm.
Vegetarian choice: Yes
Prices: Starters from £6.85, mains from £11.95, puddings £5.75
Children: Welcome
Disabled access: Yes
The George
14 Bridge Street
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
Tel: 01425 652040
"One agreed to take my drinks order when I asked, but then lost 10 points when she asked whether I wanted soda water or lemonade in the spritzer. AAAAAh!"
Opening hours: Week days 10am – 11pm Food served 12 – 3pm. 5.30pm – 10pm. Weekends: Food served 12 – 10pm.
Prices: Starters from £4.95. Mains from £5.95. Puddings from £4.95
Vegetarian choice: Yes
Children: Welcome
Disabled access: Yes
Reviewed: Issue 83
Published: August
Après LXIX
9-13 St John Street
Salisbury
Wilts
tel: 01722 340000
"Sharp shards of what looked like a decoration" on a Philip Treacy hat"
Opening hours: Mon-Sat midday to 2.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm; Sun midday to 3.30pm
Vegetarian choice: good selection of interesting-sounding dishes.
Children: no particular provision, ie special menu or high chairs.
Disabled access: possible.
Reviewed: Issue 82
Published: July
The Mulberry Restaurant
Bishopstrow House Hotel & Spa
Bishopstrow
Warminster
Wiltshire
tel: 01985 212312
Bishopstrow is an imposing Georgian mansion set in acres of grounds some five miles from Warminster.
Should be better than it is for the prices charged – excellent food in places, but let down by carelessness in the detailing.
Opening hours: lunch 12–2pm; dinner 7–9pm
Vegetarian choice: excellent, but turn the page of the menu to find it
Prices: à la carte: two courses £32, three courses £40, coffee/tea £3.95
Children: welcome
Disabled access: ramp available
Reviewed: Issue 81
Published: June
The Cross Keys
Lyes Green
Corsley
Warminster, Wilts
tel: 01373 832406
An evening meal with friends at this country pub found Nicola Cunningham enjoying the atmosphere and food. A gastropub with villagey atmosphere, serving good food, with a choice of surroundings – trad or contemporary. “Enough fish to keep a piscivore as happy as a sole could be, Pam pointed out that I had actually ordered monkfish tails”
Opening hours: Food served Mon-Sat midday-2.15pm, 7pm-9.30pm; Sun midday-2.30pm, 7.15pm-9pm
Vegetarian choice: good choice
Prices: on the steep side
Children: over 14 only and not on Fri or Sat evenings – dogs always welcome . . .
Disabled access: difficult
Reviewed: Issue 80
Published; May
The Bell
High Street
Wylye
Wiltshire
tel: 01985 248338
A real village pub that caters for locals and people looking for a takeaway pizza or something more, says Nicola Cunningham. “All just as a village pub should be: flagstone floors, not over-decorated”
For a village pub, this is perfection: nothing too poncey, a fine old building, and food that is honest and may yet improve. “The chef had decided the loin of cod wasn’t good enough”
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-11.30pm; Sun 12-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm;
Food served: Mon-Thur/Sun 12-2.30pm; Fri/Sat 12-2.30pm, 6pm-9.30pm
Vegetarian choice: yes
Prices: starters from £5.25, pizza from £6.45, puddings from £4.25
Children: welcome
Disabled access: yes
Reviewed: Issue 79
Published: April
Paprika
32a George Street
Warminster
tel: 01985 212064/215558
There’s nothing like a curry on a cold Monday night, so Nicola Cunningham and friend ventured out into Warminster.
A friendly local takeaway and restaurant that delivers sustaining food in an intimate and pleasant atmosphere. Prices are pretty good too.
Opening hours: Midday-2pm, 5.30pm-11pm, Fri to Sat 5pm-11.30pm
Vegetarian choice: Plenty of choice
Prices: Cheap and very cheerful
Children: Welcome
Disabled access: Possible
Reviewed: Issue 78
Published: April 11th
The Beckford
Fonthill Gifford
Salisbury
SP3 6PX
tel: 01747 870385
www.the-beckford.co.uk
Nicola Cunningham enjoys a mid-week lunch at a traditional hostelry in
Fonthill Gifford – once she manages to find the door, that is . . .
A comprehensive and seasonal menu with home-cooked lasagne and fine gourmet food. Like the food, the décor is a mix of traditional and modern, a bit of everything. Staff lackadaisical (but friendly enough), with no-one seemingly in charge.
Opening hours: 11am-11pm daily
Vegetarian choice: Good – there’s a separate menu
Prices: Starters approx £5-£7, mains approx £8-17
Children: Yes, as long as they’re well behaved
Disabled access: Unfortunately not
Reviewed: Issue 77
Published: March 20
The Spread Eagle Inn
Church Lawn, Stourton
Warminster, Wiltshire
BA12 6QE
tel: 01747 840587
A return visit to a favourite local turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for Nicola Cunningham. “I felt like Eeyore on his birthday: a bit short-changed”
A change of hands has brought with it a distinct lowering in the standard of cooking, but the building is beautiful and no doubt the tourists will buoy up trade in the summer months.
Opening hours: Daily, lunch 12-2.30pm, cold food until 3pm; dinner 7-9pm
Vegetarian choice: limited
Prices: Starters from £4.50, main courses from £9.95, puds from £3.95
Children: welcome
Disabled access: Listed building so not easy, but can be done
Reviewed: Issue 76
Published: Feb 29
Gastrobistro at the Pheasant Inn
19 Salt Lane
Salisbury
Wilts SP1 1DT
Tel: 01722 414926
Bistro within trad pub serving unpretentious but seasonal food – pleasant atmosphere and staff
The idea of the gregarious Gallic owner of the Gastrobistro at the Pheasant Inn drew Nicola Cunningham and daughter in for dinner. “Cabbage that would have won the approval of my mother-in-law”
Opening hours: Daily, lunch from 12-2.30pm, dinner 6-9.30pm; Sat & Sun breakfast 11am-2.30pm; Bar open midday to 11pm
Vegetarian choice: limited
Prices: three courses + wine £60 for two
Children: welcome (special menu)
Disabled access: yes
Reviewed: Issue 75
Published: Feb 8
The Trough
The Ginger Piggery
Boyton
Warminster, Wilts
tel: 01985 850381
Pigging out at a café serving locally-sourced food saw Nicola Cunningham happy as a pig in clover. A relaxed café where meat takes centre stage and puddings come a close second. Everything is sourced locally, within 48 miles of the Piggery.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm. Lunch from midday to 2.30pm
Vegetarian choice: Not a huge choice, but there are salads and quiches
Prices: Excellent value
Children: Welcome
Disabled access: Easy access
Reviewed: Issue 74
Published: Jan 18
The Bath Arms
Clay Street, Crockerton
Nr Warminster
Wiltshire
BA 12 8AJ
Tel: 01985 212262
With some reluctance, Nicola Cunningham reveals the identity of one of her favourite pubs and what attracts her to it. “A wonderful confection of soft meringue and griottes in brandy”
Opening hours: 11am–3pm, 6pm–11pm; food served midday to 2pm, 6pm to 9pm daily
Vegetarian choice: Always something available
Children: welcome
Disabled access: accessible at the back
Reviewed: Issue 73
Published: Dec 28
