Rockingham Arms - Test Valley

My wife and went with two friends to The Rockingham Arms yesterday for Sunday lunch and it was excellent. The Staff were very friendly and professional. The food was great and the welcoming atmosphere all added to a great meal. Well done Jake, Hannah and the team! An all round great pub.

Having been a couple of times before, we booked for a Sunday lunch to celebrate a birthday. On this occasion I’m afraid we were disappointed. The food was OK, (apart from the grease proof paper which was served along with the nut roast), the portions were large and almost hot enough, but the service was very poor. We waited a long time for everything. One of the starters didn’t turn up and when we asked for it we were told, in rather an off hand manner, that they had run out. The bread sauce, which should have been served with the roast chicken didn’t turn up until asked for. No sauces like mustard or apple sauce were offered and we had to ask several times for a drinks order to be taken. We only ordered two desserts and they managed to forget one of them and when we chased it up it was served without any cutlery to eat it with! I should have read the more recent reviews before booking this time. I gather that the restaurant is under new ownership and sadly it is now not a patch on how it used to be. We won’t bother going back.

How disappointing, not a patch on previous visits. Service was very poor. Food was ok. Won’t be going back.

I can not believe my experience this evening!!! Having been recommended by a friend to go to this pub for a meal and travelling for 45 minutes to get there, arriving at 8.05 pm. I asked for a table for 3 of us and we were told, although it was only 5 past 8 they were sorry but finish at 8 pm and where they are busy, although there were 3 tables we could of sat at , they were unable to serve us. I am disgusted .

We dined at The Rockingham on Christmas Eve and it was amazingly busy on entering the pub. Our tables were full of customers but the landlady apologised and said they will be clear soon and sorted us out with free drinks…a nice touch… I have to say the beef Sunday dinner was one of the best I’ve ever had and a 1000% better than before the pub had been renovated… My dessert was also to die for. There was a great atmosphere around the place and not just festive vibes. Can’t wait to go back on our traditional visit Boxing Day. Long may “THE NEW ROCK” continue!!