Monthly Meet

[prmoldoaks]

John & Ian

I notice on the PHEA web the Gardener's Arms, Tostock is still shown as our regular monthly meeting place, is this still the case?

I know at the Christmas meal and here talk was maybe a change?

I personally have no problems with either, but if I was pushed I must say the service, food and space at the christmas meal was a star above the GA.

Others may care to comment

Edited by prmoldoaks on Tuesday 8th January 23:21

[Simpo Two]

That's a useful reminder. Ian, you go first!

[Ian V]

This has been on my mind for a few days now.

I was also impressed with the Red Lion at Christmas. The only down side I see regarding a regular monthly meet there is the prices.

I have posted a typical Sunday lunch menu below for you all to have a look at.







I,m sure the food will be very good, but we are looking at £10 for one course and the Landlady also mentioned that there may be a bit of a wait to be served as its all prepared fresh. She suggested that we need to place orders as soon as we arrived (say 12.30) to minimize the waiting time. We would also need to give a very good idea of numbers.

I am happy to book this months meeting at whichever pub you prefer, so please have a look at the menu and let me know your thoughts.

Edited by Ian V on Wednesday 9th January 08:47

[Simpo Two]

I agree with that summary - however it remains a mystery why the Gardeners Arms, which started off so well, suddenly declined in service. Is the same landlord still in charge, and if so, and would a friendly shot across the bows bring him back to normality? I'm curious to know the reason.

[Naughty Magpie]

2 votes for the new place from me & Scott. I've always thought Sunday lunch does cost £10 & more for a really good one so that's fine with us. Plus, if we're broke, a bowl of chips at £2 sounds rather nice too.

The Gardeners Arms became too small for all of us & the food was getting worse every time, which is a shame for them as it started off being okay. From a PHer point of view, the car park's much bigger at the new one!

[Ian V]

Simpo Two said:

I agree with that summary - however it remains a mystery why the Gardeners Arms, which started off so well, suddenly declined in service. Is the same landlord still in charge, and if so, and would a friendly shot across the bows bring him back to normality? I'm curious to know the reason.

To my knowledge Stan is still the Landlord at the GA but never seems to be there anymore. My own view is that we were outgrowing the GA anyway, and that the lack of service is as good a reason for a change as any.

I have a contact number for the GA if you want to speak to them John, but I think the regular attendees need to make their choice of venue known first.

I,ll drop a email around our mailing list for 'thoughts' shortly.

[iluvmercs]

The new place gets my vote, too.
The choice seems good, and the Christmas dinner was delicious

Darren

[Bacardi]

I didn't make the Christmas lunch but the menu looks good. I'm always happy to pay more for good food. After all, It's only once a month (I can live off Pot Noodle in between).

[S6 ROR]

The new pace is fine with me and Sue, but to be honest we quite liked the Gardeners Arms as well. So, will go with the flow

[purrfect]

I thought the food at the Christmas place was awful.

[S6 ROR]

purrfect said:

I thought the food at the Christmas place was awful.

Stop sitting on the fence Anya, say what you really mean

[markCSC]

I like the Red Lion as it's just up the road from me

To be fair I don't think the Christmas meal was a true representation of what they usually do; normally it's much better.

Not fussed either way really but it would be nice if we fitted into the same car park.

Mark

[Simpo Two]

I thought the Red Lion was good for a major thing like the Christmas lunch (well actually dare I say the turkey looked a little microwaved?) but what we really need is a carvery or roast for £7.95. Quite why the Red Lion wants £12 for two slices of beef eludes me. Add a dessert and a drink or two and you're not far off £25 a head. We need good value, decent space (inside and out), and flexibility of numbers.

Having to book a room for a monthly meet is bad because numbers can vary between 5 on a miserable day in February and 35 on a sunny day in July. We can't predict numbers and don't want to introduce a formal booking system - the whole idea of PH is informality. So maybe we need a large pub where the catering staff are always there and the place is big enough to absorb 30 people without notice.

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 9th January 18:18

[purrfect]

[quote=Simpo Two]I thought the Red Lion was good for a major thing like the Christmas lunch (well actually dare I say the turkey looked a little microwaved?) but what we really need is a carvery or roast for £7.95. Quite why the Red Lion wants £12 for two slices of beef eludes me. Add a dessert and a drink or two and you're not far off £25 a head. We need good value, decent space (inside and out), and flexibility of numbers.


I agree. The food and prices at Tostock were good. It was also well placed through some nice villages and a good drive unlike Red Lion which was near RAF Lakenheath and not an enjoyable drive. Tostock seemed well placed for most. It is always difficult to get somewhere where there is good parking and they are flexible with good prices and don't need exact numbers (which is impossible to predict). I don't mind paying slightly more if it is worth it (but don't think Red Lion is)

[Ian V]

Simpo Two said:

I thought the Red Lion was good for a major thing like the Christmas lunch (well actually dare I say the turkey looked a little microwaved?) but what we really need is a carvery or roast for £7.95. Quite why the Red Lion wants £12 for two slices of beef eludes me. Add a dessert and a drink or two and you're not far off £25 a head. We need good value, decent space (inside and out), and flexibility of numbers.

Having to book a room for a monthly meet is bad because numbers can vary between 5 on a miserable day in February and 35 on a sunny day in July. We can't predict numbers and don't want to introduce a formal booking system - the whole idea of PH is informality. So maybe we need a large pub where the catering staff are always there and the place is big enough to absorb 30 people without notice.

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 9th January 18:18

Yep must say I,m in agreement with John on this. The Red Lion is just to expensive as a regular meeting place.

With John's comments in mind, does anyone know if there are any of the large 'family' type pubs in the area between Thetford and Bury St Edmunds. I,m thinking of the likes of Brewers Fayre or Weatherspoons, that type of thing. It maynot be as flash as The Red Lion but they are set up to cater for large amounts of people at short notice, and in my experience theres a good choice, and foods not too bad either.

Over to you !

[Simpo Two]

But not quite:

[sayerbloke]

Ian V said:

any of the large 'family' type pubs in the area between Thetford and Bury St Edmunds. I,m thinking of the likes of Brewers Fayre or Weatherspoons, that type of thing.

If you're thinking along those lines, I'm fairly sure there's a Hungry Horse in that area, which is a similar format. That said, I just tried to check their website and it looks like the whole chain is undergoing some sort of modernisation... they only mention about 7 pubs nationwide now

As for the others, it looks like no Wetherspoons, Brewers Fayres, Harvesters or Beefeaters near that area, according to their respective websites. Who else is there?

Edited by sayerbloke on Wednesday 9th January 20:54

[gtr-gaz]

I vote we send out an intrepid explorer, whose sole duty will be to visit all the pubs and eating places in that area.
All expenses paid, of course

[Simpo Two]

purrfect said:

The food and prices at Tostock were good. It was also well placed through some nice villages and a good drive unlike Red Lion which was near RAF Lakenheath and not an enjoyable drive. Tostock seemed well placed for most.

It was fine apart from one thing - the service suddenly became so slow as to be unacceptable. Well in fact two: the 'dining-room' was confined and stuffy; quite unpleasant on a good turnout.

[Wryka]

Hi all - This option for the monthly meet maybe a little not as central for the region as some others but I know that they would tick all the boxes listed above in the replies. Plenty of parking, plenty of space for group seating, best views around for sunny days in the beer garden and best of all - no chucking out on a sunday afternoon.

Try the link a see what you think. http://thatchersarms.co.uk/index.html

Wryka