The Fox - Basingstoke and Deane

We enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Fox. Good service and delicious food. There is also a very nice quiet garden with some play equipment for kids and plenty of parking.

Party of 7 arrived on time, for Sunday lunch. We were pointed to our table. 10 min wait for menus, then 1 hr wait for mains. “I have checked and it was 57 mins so you have two free drinks” was the response to our comment on the delay. “We had a table of 8 that we had to serve before you, that’s the reason for the ‘slight’ delay.” Surely this was accounted for when taking bookings? Possibly it was the new manager we were talking to but whoever it was her attitude needs improving. Why not explain the delay when we arrived to give us the opportunity to sit in the sunny garden with drinks/nibbles while we waited? Unfortunately the lukewarm meals were not worth the long wait.

We made a reservation for my Dad's birthday, so there were four adults and a two-year-old in our party. The staff were all friendly, and the menu has not changed much since the new owners took over, which is appreciated by many of the regular customers. The restaurant is well-known for its delicious cheese souffle, which can be ordered as a starter or a main course. The venison dish was exceptional, and I personally enjoyed the fish pie. The desserts were all great. However, I do feel that the children's menu is a bit pricey for a two-year-old. It would be nice if the ice cream scoop was complimentary or if there were options for smaller portions, as the Mac and cheese was £8 for the little ones. Despite this, the restaurant now has a new children's play area and a lovely pub garden, making it a great recommendation for families.

I would highly recommend this pub/restaurant. We nipped off of M3 on way home from the eurotunnel, to enjoy a break and four fantastic meals Sunday roast beef, beef and ale pie and burgers. Great service and the meals were huge, delicious and fab service too. Even the dog was given a bowl of water without having to ask! The only down side was that we were all too full to enjoy any of the desserts from the menu that sounded amazing!! Only 4 mins drive from M3 with loads of parking.

We stopped at this restaurant on the way to a party and both decided to order the sea bass. The dish arrived quickly and looked fantastic. The portions were generous, and even though I didn't think I could finish it all, the meal was so delicious that I ended up eating my husband's potatoes as well. It was too good to leave any bit uneaten! This was probably the tastiest meal I've ever had at a pub, and it even surpassed many restaurants.