Master Builder, Bucklers Hard

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xcw

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I have always thought the food in the Master Builder to be awful but on a recent visit to Bucklers Hard I thought I would give it another try as surely it must have improved? I was wrong; it was truly the worst chilli I have ever eaten in my life. The guy I was rafted next to said that he chose sasuage and mash on the basis that they couldn't mess - they did!

London prices, school canteen quality. AVOID!
 
Unless you are using the proper restaurant in the hotel we have found that it is definitely better to eat on board! Incidently, last time we used the restaurant Salman Rushdie was at the next table.
 
With both kids staying at home, for the first time, swmbo and I tried the main restaurant last August Bank Holiday. It was our shared opinion that the menu lacked imagination and our cassoulet (sp?) seemed to rely heavily on salt for its flavour. Although, I must say a great deal of thought had gone in to the bill which, IIRC, for the two of us, topped the ton. We will try again at sometime other than a main holiday though, just in case we picked an off night.
 
The quality of food in the pub at the Master Builder is depressingly, consistently poor and surpassed only by the standard of service, which is dire - mainly, no doubt, because you never see the same faces behind the bar twice. I had always thought that the restaurant was better, until StugeronSteve mentioned his experience to me last August.

This must be one of the greatest wasted opportunities in the Solent: the setting is magical, the building is full of character and there is a ready clientelle of thirsty, hungry yachties (though, of course, their pockets are empty, having paid their mooring fees /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif). I suppose the owners consider that they have a captive audience - and they are right - so why try harder? Pah!

Monty's Brasserie at the Montague Arms in Beaulieu is much better and the walk back to Buckler's Hard afterwards will get rid of some of the calories ingested there.
 
At that price in my book they get but one chance only to get it right!

We paid a similar price at the George in Yarmouth for an anniversary special and were similarly underwhelmed and the two places I believe have a common connection. I think I remember too that an old rocker of note is a part owner. The George part of the association isn't 'bad' just not in the right league for the price tag IMO, priced to match the Chelsea Weekender Set that the Hotels target as customers.
 
East End Arms, at, believe it or not, East End. This place is also under co-ownership, though not co-management, with the Master Builder and George Hotel, and is much better run. The East End Arms seems to be popular with locals, which has to be a good sign.

I have to agree with Jhr that the Master Builder presents its owners with a seriously missed opportunity. The staff are often disinterested, the bar food is not suited to the clientelle and yet the building and setting are ideal, what a shame!
 
Yeah, couldn't agree more with the words "avoid". I like to travel that bit further to Bragazzis in Southampton - most amazing Italian deli. Serves mecurial food and coffee.
 
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