Mark Roberts

Review of Packhorse Inn

Poor for Vegetarians and Vegans...

Poor for Vegetarians and Vegans...

We had two veggies, two vegans and two meat-eaters in our group - we'd called ahead (several days before) to check the a Vegan/Veggie roast could be provided. We were totally reassured and came in a large family group specially.... big mistake.

It turns out they what happens at this pub is that they massively over-promise - unusually they do mention vegan options on the menu - but what happens is they take the veggie option and remove the cheese... same cost, just, what was already an rather unimaginative cheese-heavy meal, now without cheese. Very poor.

The veggie Sunday roast was a meat-Sunday roast minus the meat - again, that would have been ok for a more typically basic pub, but, for a "gastro" pub who claims to understand a more modern diet, it fell flat on its face. There are some lovely vegan-friendly sunday roasts offered by pubs who know their stuff - trust me - I've had a few! Nut roast, vegan yorkshire, lovely gravy without meat juice, delicious steamed and roasted veggies... yum!

The other veggie option was meant to have Camembert... but actually had mozzarella! Quite different, I think you'll agree, but the "chefs" must have had a moment of confusion.

Even the pudding - chocolate mouse - marked as "veggie" we were then told had gelatin in it. That's a pretty stupid mistake to make these days, I'm afraid.

I would say that one of the meat-eaters really liked their traditional Sunday roast... so if only this place didn't try to pretend it was capable of more, then this review wouldn't be so bad, but as it is, this was an almost offensively bad meal concocted by people who clearly didn't have a clue, and for some reason that I can't quite fathom, wanted to pretend they did.

Steer clear.