The Hobler Inn- LDC Review

The Hobler Inn - No frills, understated quality! (We like................)

It's so easy to get stuck into a fixed dining routine when it comes to bars and restaurants and we equally have to confess to the other minor crime, which is to also put a venue to the back of your mind in a kind of 'one day never' type approach. The last time we went to The Hobler, it was a  popular local Pub in a more traditional guise and under the stewardship of the infamous Pip. Knowing then that the pub was going to be under new management, it was mentally parked as an aforementioned option for a rainy day.

What a couple of bananas we realised we were when we went to meet the gorgeous Manager 'M' and Simon the Chef recently over lunch. The place has not just had a facelift but a complete revolution. The atmosphere is part New York Private Club and part London Wine Bar with an emphasis on popular English food presented in an unfussy and really affable fashion. We had a twist on Welsh Rarebit called Buck Rarebit, which was refreshingly simple in style but still able to seem bettter than one I'd had in a long time if ever. Don't be put off by the way, by the tanned & stylish leather furniture and uncluttered environment; there's a children's menu as well and once you're settled around your table you will soon realise that just because we're so far from London, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy some towny cool now and then, with or without the sprogs! Yes; some reminisce about the way things were but in our humble opinion, change is usually good and in the case of The Hobler, very very good!

The Hobler is one of a number of Restaurants in the area within the Alcatraz collection. The latter includes, The John Barleycorn at Cadnam, The Old Beams Inn near Ringwood, The Alcatraz Brasseries in Poole, Bournemouth, Winchester and Camberley and the Alcatraz Club again in Bournemouth.

'M' and her team have mastered the art of making you feel that they are pleased to see you and are themselves relaxed and comfortable, together with maintaining a spotless restaurant and kitchens (I had a nose!), and very efficient service; whilst always attending to you in a really likeable and unhurried manner.

For want of a better ending, I can confirm that I'm booking for Sunday lunch with Jnr. age 5, to listen to some jazz in the garden and have a roast or a barbeque as the mood takes me.

For more information or to book a table, please contact The Manager on 01590 623944. For more information about The Alcatraz Group, please visit www.alcatraz.co.uk.