You Said....

Posted Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Visited Fri 23 Sept. Very disappointed in food order. Hot sausage & onion sandwich ordered. Cold sausage with uncooked onion with two slices of less than fresh bread. Chips were OK
Trish

Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2011
After returning from what should have been a lovely experience, we are somewhat disappointed to say the least with this pub... When we checked in, there was no welcome we were just given the key to our room with directions of how to get to it - no one showed us. Then found out that the table we'd booked with this reservation wasn't in their diary - so had to re-book. This luckily wasn't a problem as the restaurant wasn't too busy on this occasion. Food was ok, but not brilliant. Then we settled down for a good nights sleep, bearing in mind that we could hear the rowdy noise of the bar below us and at 1.15am we were very rudely woken by the fire alarm. So we dashed out of bed in a panic (I am disabled) so this panicked me even further, got dressed ready to leave the room, only for the alarm to cease. No one came and checked that we were ok by asking through the door, so we were left to go back to bed. In the morning after a average breakfast, we checked out and spoke  to presumably the Manager. He apologised and kept making feeble excuses that it was a group of Uni students making the most of their last night out before returning that had set the alarm off with lighting Sambucas under the sensor. He then told us that the bar stays open until 1am which we were completely unaware of or we would have asked to move rooms because the noise below us was extremely loud however the Manager advised us that as this is a pub we should expect to hear noise and we boy did we, until the fire alarm went off and then for some time afterwards. Unfortunately this has completely tainted our experience of this pub so will not be returning or recommending to anyone else.
Mark and Debbie

Posted Friday, July 22, 2011
'Poor Management and dreadful customer service - Avoid !
Sadly my experience on Sat 16th July 2011 was similar to another review on here posted way back in Dec 2009 and to me underlines the ignorance of how the manager dealt (or rather did not deal) with a complaint last night.
Their were four of us and three meals though a bit pricey were fine. My meal was not fine however. The pub was only half full but the dip bowl for the prawns I ordered at a very overpriced £14 came half way through the meal which meant the carcases remained within my dish becoming quite messy. When I complained to the manager about the dip bowl coming too late and the service, it was like 'wading through glue' in getting him to listen. His apology came after an irrelevant monologue of how satisfied all the other customers were in the restaurant and a long drawn out story of how good his restaurant is. Nothing I said resonated with him or interested him resulting in a most empty and unfeeling apology. He did not offer any discount or responsibility and at one point was leaning over our table even asking my wife to be quiet when she politely suggested he was not listening to me and was encroaching our space in an aggressive stance. He even suggested my meal enjoyment could have been affected by me ordering a coffee with it which he described as 'strange'...this surely is the choice of a customer and is a most bizarre and inappropriate remark. I also ordered scones which were stale and dry and that was completely skipped over and ignored. This gentleman was rude, obnoxious and totally unproffessional and after going once before and having a good experience I left actually wanting to warn my friends and family not to go there because of the manager's patronising and condescending attitude.
This is the first ever negative critique I have posted on a restaurant and feel some consolation that I am not the only customer to have my complaint ignored. How businesses like this can service with such a poor attitude is beyond me in a credit crunch.
I am voting feet and never returning unless the current management leave which I think will be inevitable given their total lack of respect for customers opinion.
Avoid.
Antony Owen

Posted Monday, January 31, 2011
Fantastic food, great prices, what a lovely atmosphere since the changes. Everything a good pub should be. I read all the reviews before visiting and must concur with the positive ones since the pub changed hands. (I think that Michelle must have been in a different pub judging from her review !!!!) Shall definitely be visiting again for the best fish I've eaten in a long time (and a great real ale or two !!)
Paul Hammond

Posted Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Disgusting overcooked school dinner food.  I have eaten here many times before it changed hands and have always had a wonderful meal.  I went there last saturday (first time since) the change in management and was very disappointed in the selection.  The only starter I could chose was the soup and this tasted canned definitely not home made.  The main came with a few prawns, hot food on top of a salad (ug!) and the vegetables were cooked to death, they were near a mush and certainly not al dente as they should be.  When over the road you have Hampton Manor which does not cost that much more why are people still eating here.  It is such a pity for what was once a lovely restaurant.  The puddings were also probably bought in and not freshly prepared!  Please do not waste your money.
Michele

Posted Monday, November 22, 2010
Ignore comments prior to September 2010.  This Pub has been taken over by a great fun loving and clearly commercially astute couple.  They know exactly what has been largely missing in the Pub market for so long - great atmosphere; great beer and wine, fairly priced; great french influenced food served in an informal but comfortable environment; in short a proper pub!! Great for locals and visitors alike.
Andrew Finch

Posted Monday, November 8, 2010
This lovely old pub has thankfully been recently taken over by a super couple who understand what good food and beer is all about - ignore the previous negative comments, this pub is on the up!
Richard (RLP)

Posted Monday, November 8, 2010
The White Lion Roars Encore! Ignore all the old comments.
Popped in on way back from NEC and WOW! Its now totally refurbished very tastefully and not the usual identikit gastro pub found nearly everywhere else in the area! The new owners Chris and Francois and their team have very quickly created a lovely atmosphere with a nice touch of french "Je ne sais Quois" With the back restaurant opened up it's perfect for both big family gatherings or a quiet clandestine meeting in the snug! We loved it !! Tres Bien!!
Simon

Posted Friday, October 29, 2010
Wow! What a change! The pub has been done over and is fantastic. My wife and I had a great meal on Saturday night, good food ,fair price and fab service.
Graham Hollway

Posted Monday, July 26, 2010
Last night visited the pub (22/07/2010) - Fantastic evening.  Food was poor and over price - cheap pie and cold chips for £8 and run out of all but one beer!! Barmaid Steph or Sophie made up for it - beautiful and friendly with a pure evil streak for making punishment drinks!  Great girl!
Paddy

Posted Monday, March 8, 2010
I took a party of 11 on Saturday 6th March 2010. We had a terrible evening. The food was absolutely disgusting. We asked to speak to the manager but he was not there. We then asked to speak to the chef who was also not there either. I wonder who was doing the cooking? The plates were cold the food was raw, the meat was tough. The risotto looked like a tin of rice pudding.  The service was terrible. Needless to say I will not be going again. Prices way over the top for the quality of the food. Total rip off. I will be writing to the manager.
Liz

Posted Monday, December 7, 2009
Avoid at all costs. Visited this pub after seeing it in the good beer guide and seeing their website. First disapointment was finding only two real ales, never mind came here to dine anyway. Moved out the back to the restaurant, got a table no problem, the restaurant was barely half full on a Saturday night, alarm bells should have rung. Menu seemed overpriced, a lot more than their sample menu on their website. Went ahead and ordered lamb shank on rosemary mash with red wine jus and confit of duck in orange sauce, both at £15.95. Sounded good. We were told if we wanted any vegetables there would be an additional cost. Declined the veg, thought that if this was needed it would have come with the dish at that price.
When the food arrived there was no rosemary in the mash, just plain old mashed potato, the red wine jus appeared to contain no red wine and seemed more like a gravy made from granules with no flavour to it, certainly not a jus. The confit of duck was just a roast duck leg, I don't think the chef understands the term 'confit'. The orange sauce resembled the gravy on the lamb shank but with some orange segments thrown in for good measure. It was all edible but not what it was claiming to be. It was just simple pub fayre and should have come with a price to reflect this. I made my complaints known when asked after the meal and was told my observations would be passed on to the chef/cook, I received no comeback.
I won't even start on the cleanliness of the toilets.
Andy May

Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Terrible service if you are a customer, excellent if you are the bosses friends. We waited over 45 minutes, they waited 15!
Trevor

Posted Thursday, May 8, 2008
The foods not bad here but the staff, not all but some think there doing you a favour by letting you eat or drink in there. Its got that your in someone else's house feel and my God its dated inside! I rang up one night and said what time do you serve food until please? they told me so I got ready and turned up with 10 mins to spare and they said, "Oh sorry we cant take anymore orders were just too busy!!" Could of gone else where but had been told on the phone before I would be OK.  Worse part is they know I'm a local so don't hold much hope for people passing through.
Dave Spears

Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A fantastic venue for any occasion, great food and what a wine selection !! One of the best I've seen. Highly recommended.
E Whitehill

Posted Monday, March 31, 2008
Much improved in recent years, full of character and characters - our regular Sunday night haunt - good food, good beer and good people.
Martin Bissell

Posted Monday, July 31, 2006
Crap. Absolutely rubbish!  Food cold. Beer Warm. Barmaid too interested in her text messages. Avoid.
Ben Portly

Posted Monday, April 10, 2006
Visited the pub on recommendation from a work colleague. didn't know what to expect but were hugely and pleasantly surprised. restaurant was excellent - food great.
Rob

Posted Monday, January 23, 2006
Had a very pleasant stay at the White Lion while attending the Autosport Show at the NEC last week. Excellent food, and the Black Sheep and Old Hooky ales were in top condition.
Mark Farrington

Posted Friday, August 19, 2005
Beautiful old pub.  Every time I visit Coventry, I make a special trip to Hampton just to have a pint in the White Lion.  Quintessential English pub
Eric Mueller

Posted Thursday, June 23, 2005
Lovely setting and great new menu.  Staff are excellent - especially Andy and Hanna who worked really hard
Drew Peacock


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Posted Monday, November 22, 2004
I think The White Lion is absolutely fantastic. In the bar, the decor still remains traditional and cosy, whilst the restaurant has more of a light contemporary feel.  The food is absolutely superb and the staff are wonderful, always friendly. They could not be more charming. This place is a Definite Must if you are in the area.
L. Addison

Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Who's the hunky waiter Andy, anyone know if he has a girlfriend?
Sexy Lady

Posted Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Stayed one night whilst visiting friends. Liked it so much we stayed an extra night. Did not get to eat in the restaurant but the breakfast was superb.
An excellent weekend was had by all. Get ready for the England and Kiwi final.
Lee Sandys

Posted 11 October 2002
Just returned from vacation, stayed in Hampton-in-Arden. I ate 3 times at the White Lion and found the food absolutely fantastic. Excellent service too.
Dan Danaher

I have lived in the village for nearly a year and use the pub on a regular basis to both eat and drink. Everybody is aware that changes are about to happen as the pub has new owners. However, nobody appears to know exactly what these changes are likely to be. There is a fear that the village will lose it's traditional pub and be replaced with a modern eating establishment. Does anybody know what the new format will be ?
Mike McCannon

This page is part of the Solihull Online Pub Guide and is not connected with any of the pubs and bars listed.