The Fleur De Lys - Review

Fleur De Lys - Meet Nick and Ally your new 'local' Landlord's.

You may be familiar with the pop standard written by Allan Roberts and Doris Fisher originally, called 'You Always Hurt The One You Love' and rather than concoct a lengthy opener to this review, it would be easier to quote the following lyrics and tell you why they have plagued me for the past few weeks:

"You always hurt the one you love,
The one you shouldn't hurt at all.
You always take the sweetest rose,
And crush it till the petals fall.

You always break the kindest heart,
With a hasty word you can't recall.
So, if I broke your heart last night,
It's because I love you most of all."

The thing is, I went to The Fleur De Lys recently for a wonderful family meal, followed up by a Sunday morning 'locals lock-in rugby breakfast' and a subsequent 'off duty' visit the other day. Ever since that first evening, I have been trying to put into words my experiences in such a way as to do proper justice to my new friends Nick and Ally and their lovely family who have just taken it over. The problem is I've discovered that once you get too close to something, doing your day job doesn't get easier, it gets ten times harder. The same has happened to me on another review I have been meaning to do as well and call it writer's block or whatever you like, the net result is that Nick and Ally probably feel like I wasn't that impressed, when actually the total opposite is true and now this, which I so want to be brilliant may indeed not be. I should have done it weeks ago, but the more I tried, the harder it got. Finally, prompted by my son's new trainers, I've decided to 'just do it'.

So here goes...

The Fleurs De Lys has had its ups and downs and where the 'ups' was probably too far up and the 'downs' a sign of disinterest and neglect, along come Nick and Ally and just like that, hit the spot just right. (I say just like that but we all know the reality is always a load of hard work and sleepless nights) A brilliant 'local' pub, serving above average quality food and making you feel like part of the furniture. Actually more than that... true friends. Over the past few weeks, I have had a family meal there, done the father/ son full English watching the rugby and the Saturday night with the blond. Without exception a smile and a hug didn't feel like a wallet loosener, more a genuine pleasure in our company and a collection of already familiar faces demonstrated this has already become the local's favourite. Sauturday night with Jnr. at a disco no less, we went in on the off chance ad hoc and it was rammed. The welcome was as described but we were lucky to get in so if I had you at hello then make sure you book. Log fires in winter and all the great and good together having fun. A long time coming, but it is now the quintessential english village pub. Frequented by locals, but embracing visitors from near or far.

Nick is no pub amateur cook btw, he's a proper grown up Chef and having worked at some impressive establishments in the past, he has that rare talent of making even your favourite standards just that little bit more exciting and tasty, whilst also adding a good selection of dishes for when you want to step outside the box. That skill underpinned by Ally's natural warmth, affability and of course unflapability, makes them a special formula long overdue at this wonderful pub, which is steeped in so much history. I have added a link to the current menu below but suffice to say, I have had three different types of meal there now from a slightly more refined dinner from the specials board on the one hand, to a posh Welsh Rarebit and a Full English Breakfast on the other. There is only one other person I know that cooks as well as Nick for my tastes and she is my son's Godmother who is ex Good Housekeeping and about to launch a TV series in the US called Cooking with Mom. That is a huge compliment to Nick, because what I'm trying to say is that he's combined that feeling of home cooking with the added dimension, only years of experience and a dash of style can achieve. Mother's and Grandmothers locally are going to either love him or hate him for stealing their mantle, but to them I say take a break and kick back at The Fleur.

I can't wait until the summer either, when those fabulous gardens will also come into their own and I suspect Nick will astound his friends with barbeques and more, but in the meantime as the nights draw in and the temperature drops, don't waste time on Facebook pretending to be friends with lots of people, come to The Fleur De Lys and make some real ones. You have the added benfit of being fed, wined and dined, laughing, crying and being part of that rare commodity us English folk do better than most... local community. Oh! and I almost forgot... they do proper homemade pizzas to take away as well...

Nick and Ally, this is really late and I'm sorry. But it is true love if that counts for anything anymore...

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I wouldn't normally recommend Trip Advisor reviews, but as a testament to the above, you should check out what others are saying HERE!

For a sample menu & prices CLICK HERE!

Fleur De Lys
Pilley Street
Pilley
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 5QG

Tel: 01590 672158

Looking forward to replacing this with the updated version!