Hampshire View Magazine

February 2012 issue

The beginning of February is an excellent time to forget recent demoralising promises and diets and step out into 2012 with a weathered eye on the spring to come. One of my favourite long walks in Hampshire has the added advantage of a rather good watering hole slap bang in the middle. This means that my constitutional can be interrupted once, twice or even three times, making a day that is particularly leisurely.

The Bear & Ragged Staff is easily located on the A3057 between Stockbridge and Romsey. Staff, used to walkers parking their cars, are happy to prepare a fresh coffee before explorers head off to enjoy views of rivers, historical Mottisfont and chalk downs. Split by the road,it is possible to halve the walk and stop for lunch (in the summer taken in the garden) then – some British staying power required here – continue the walk on the other side of the A3057, returning later for some further well-earned light refreshment.

The interior of the restaurant was revamped last May and feels fresh and more contemporary, although the 16th-century character of the property has been retained. Jonathan Salmon, who has been in situ since 2002, has created a comfortable atmosphere welcoming locals, travellers and walkers alike to enjoy the homemade food cooked on the premises,or just have a pint. The original building on this site was a priory, founded by William Briwere in 1201, who was a trusted advisor to Richard the Lionheart, King John and Henry III.

The Bear & Ragged Staff has an à la carte menu and daily specials available at lunchtime and in the evening, as well as snacks and a light-bite menu available from 12 noon. We both decided to start simply and continue with a robust main course. My starter of field mushrooms arrived promptly,and was honest, hot and flavoursome. John chose breaded brie with salad garnish,which he reported to be just right. Other choices were potato skins filled with cheese and bacon and served with a tomato salsa dip, whitebait with brown bread and butter and tartare sauce, or maybe homemade soup of the day.

Lamb shank, sticky with tomato and herb sauce,was warming and tasty and matched well with the dish of vegetables served separately. My partner’s layer pie – a generous portion filled with chicken, stuffing, bacon, sausage meat and spinach – was a delicious meal in itself and for the hungry walker (or so he insisted) the addition of new potatoes and fresh vegetables was essential. There were many other choices on the menu as well as on the specials board (which I tend to favour) and, indeed, this is from where I chose my main course. However, I could just as easily have been tempted by rack of ribs (pork ribs cooked long and slow until tender, covered in barbecue sauce),or perhaps whole local trout topped with toasted almonds.

Scott Clark, the enthusiastic young chef, uses a variety of layer pies during the course of the changing seasons to showcase the fresh local produce sourced whenever possible. That includes fresh Kimbridge trout, ice cream from New Forest Ice Cream, water from New Forest Water, free-range eggs from Claytons of Romsey, cheeses from Lyburn and Loosehanger, and game in season from local shoots. It’s great that in Hampshire we have a rich, diverse choice of local produce,and splendid that a small,locally based company like Marine Taverns Limited, which operates the Bear & Ragged Staff, is able to offer us this within their menu. I understand there is another pub in the company’s stable, The Fish Inn at Ringwood, which I am sure we will be investigating when our travels take us that way.

And so to pudding. Sticking to a fairly traditional theme we decided to finish on a light note with crème brûlée. It came with the best caramelized topping we’ve sampled in a long time,and was thoroughly enjoyed. There were many other choices for those with a sweet tooth and the space to indulge. No wonder this pub is notching up awards. V Our meal,without drinks,came to £42.30

Mid Hampshire Observer

Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness

Going out for Sunday lunch has always been a treat! With every penny having to be looked after, it doesn’t happen that often any more. So, it was with much anticipation we set out today for a meal at our favourite eaterie, The Bear and Ragged Staff at Stoneymarsh. A brilliant sun and a cloud free sky just added to the moment and feeling somewhat poetic , it made me think of Keats’ fond account of Autumn.

There are certain elements I look for when choosing a place to eat, pleasant surroundings, rustic charm, plenty of choice on the menu, friendly, welcoming staff and above all the joyous sound of diners savouring a hearty meal. In my opinion, The Bear and Ragged Staff ticks all of the above boxes and more besides.

As always, we were given a warm welcome on arrival, a very important aspect of any dining experience as it relaxes you straight away. Coupled with the picturesque ambience of this beautiful, charming country inn, our little treat couldn’t have got off to a better start!

On sitting down at our table in a tranquil corner, I noticed a change to the norm. As opposed to walking to the specials board to see the menu for the day and sometimes being slighted crowded doing so, the entire specials menu was placed in front of us. It was another simple personal touch but it was much appreciated. It was also noted that simple yet filling meals such as Ham, egg and chips have been included on menu to further the choice whilst not detracting from the tantalising delights such as Tempura prawns that are firm favourites. Despite the subtle changes, the prices are all designed to provide fantastic value for money.

Thinking of our tummy lines, we opted to share two starters between 4 of us ( one hungry 7 and 4 year old included). The Tempura prawns in batter with a spicy chilli dip were to die for, simply melting in the mouth. These were complimented by my favourite starter bar none, brie wedges in batter with cranberry sauce. As ever, I found it incredibly difficult to keep the smile off my face. Even though we arrived at midday, by the time we had finished our starters, most of the tables were taken, the true sign of a popular restaurant.

With taste buds still tingling, the mains were brought to our table by a new smiling waitress, a common theme at the Bear. My son feeling all grown up chose the roast beef, my daughter went for the chicken fingers, my wife opted for the award winning ( well, it should be anyway!) steak and Guiness pie with Cajun potatoes, and I went for fish in salt and vinegar batter with chips and mushy peas. The portion sizes were magnificent considering the prices, and we all tucked in with gusto. My son loved the beef and kept sticking his thumb up in the air to show his appreciation, a potential food critic in the making!! My wife adored the pie which I had recommended and I absolutely loved the golden fish that adorned my plate, again it simply melted in my mouth. Considering the size of portion, I felt slightly greedy to have cleaned my plate, but I just couldn’t help myself, nor could my wife!

I ruled out any notion of dessert until the specials board arrived at our table. Instead of politely refusing to the waitress, I went for the bread and butter pudding in a fit of madness. All I can say is what a slice of decadence, absolutely perfect for a cold, Autumnal day to warm the cockles. My wife went for her favourite, the lemon cheesecake and the children went for Chocolate ice cream and the doughnuts respectively.

4 empty dishes later and our dining experience was complete. The Bear had surpassed all expectations yet again. This was my 5^th visit in as many years and each time the standard has improved although I am not sure how. Along with good, old fashioned, honest home cooking, it is amazing how much difference a smiling face and friendly service can make to the whole experience.

I can only recommend the Bear and Ragged Staff yet again, hundreds of returning customers can’t be wrong. Book today, think of Keats and prepare to be blown away.

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Review from Hampshire Society

The Bear and Ragged Staff, Michelmersh

Every now and again you come across a pub where you feel so relaxed you could be in your own home.

The Bear and Ragged Staff, with its roaring fire and cosy feel during the winter, large outdoor patio for summer and year-round friendly staff and atmosphere, is a rare find.

I can assure you though, the food is a great deal better than any served in my house!

A friend and I visited the lovely country pub, sister establishment to The Fish Inn in Ringwood, on a chilly Thursday evening.

We pored over the chalkboard for ages, unable to choose between such delights as fried whitebait and barbecue chicken wings to start followed by mains such as steak and fish.

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Review from On The Menu Hampshire

With a fresh new look, and an added touch of class, The Bear and Ragged Staff is more inviting than ever this summer. Whilst the character remains, the intermingling of stylish soft furnishings and the removal of blackboard menus has really given a restaurant feel to this popular dining pub.

Now printed and conveniently situated on the tables, the menus may have changed, but you can still expect to see the traditional and worldly favourites that this pub is famous for. There is also a daily specials selection, from which I chose the Twice Baked Cheese Soufflé. Simple in its presentation but packed full of flavour, this was a great way to start. Lara began with the Calamari, and enjoyed dipping those lightly battered squid rings into the accompanying tartare sauce.

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