Advantages: Always one close by, quick turn out, children are welcome and catered for. Disadvantages: Toilets can be quite disturbing, not all dishes taste as good they are described.
Harvester RestaurantsRestaurant Reviewed: Stag and Hounds
Winchester Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
(next to Comet and Home Base)
The Harvester chain of Restaurants have over 2000 outlets across the United Kingdom and owned and operated by Mitchells and Butlers, who claim to be the UK's leading operator of managed pubs, bars and restaurants. Harvester claim to offer healthy eating, drinking and entertainment in one reasonably priced outlet.
**** Parking and Getting a Table *****
As with most of the Harvester's I have visited, there is usually ample free parking at the rear of the establishment. However on Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch times these places are heaving with customers, so avoid the crowds, go early and if possible ring and reserve a table. The Stag and Hounds is no exception but fortunately ...
about three months before we wanted to go and even then it was a bit hit and miss to if I would get a table or not. The first couple of dates I suggested I was given a table time of 10pm which was way to late but eventually I got a table on a Monday night out of season. The restaurant has its own dedicated telephone reservation line and details of this and all his businesses can be found at http://www.rickstein.com/Restaurants-and-Shops.html.
Even though the restaurant is right by the harbour it doesn't have spectacular views over the water which is quite disappointing. It actually overlooks the car park. It's a shame because there are a few tables around the side of the restaurant with nice glass floor to ceiling windows that you can have a drinka t before your dinner and it would be lovely if you ahd a nice view of the boats etc, but oh ...
Advantages: Wonderful fish and seafood Disadvantages: Very limited choice for vegetarians
round our chairs. We had two small pine tables, a little the worse for wear, pushed together. There was already a basket of bread slices and a not overgenerous serving of butter on the table. The paper place mats show photos of and give information about Loch Fyne's fishermen - it's good to see they get some recognition.
I immediately liked the feel of the place itself. Situated in the imposing Vulcan Building on the Canalside, the restaurant has a high ceiling with wooden beams painted white from which spotlights together with small lamps in wall brackets create a soft lighting. The whole of the back wall is in red brick. The theme of fish and the sea runs through a series of paintings on the walls. There is a bar behind which the collection of wines is displayed, and there is also a counter where you can see elaborate seafood dishes being ...
