Two courses for £4.99!? (Harvester Pub & Grill)

Member Name: ice_pink

Product:	Harvester Pub & Grill
Date:	03/07/09 (122 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, good selection of food, cater well for vegetarians

Disadvantages: Not the healthiest (but are healthy options!)

~*~ Harvester Pub & Grill ~*~

I try to go out a minimum of once a week just to keep myself sane, but a lack of funds often means that I am pushed to find different places to go. Since the weather has been so nice lately (and the fact that most if not all of these have good beer gardens!), I have rediscovered the Harvester chain of pub and grills and have therefore decided they are worthy for my next review!


~*~ The company ~*~

The harvester are a chain of pub and grills who believe that "Great value does not mean compromising great quality and flavour." They have restaurants scattered around the UK and it's unlikely that, wherever you are from, you will be too far away from one of these restaurants.

The chain offer a variety of pub classic meals as well as reasonably priced drinks, with most venues open until 11pm.


~*~ The menu ~*~

With every meal, you get access to unlimited free salad from the salad cart, which contains a variety of fresh salad, potatoes and pasta, as well as a selection of different bread rolls.

Restaurants have different offers on at different times of the day, but the menu is varied and caters well for vegetarians. To give you an idea of meals, starters include breaded mushrooms, melon, crackerjack king prawns and salmon and mozzarella fishcakes. For mains, a variety of differen chicken dishes and burgers as well as curries, salmon and fish and chips are on offer. Then of course there are the steaks!

There is also a good dessert menu, with a selection of ice creams, brownies and tarts.

Pub menu is also avaliable and includes a selection from the main menu of starters and mains as well as lighter choices such as jacket potatoes and sandwiches.


~*~ The prices ~*~

Obviously the prices will vary dramatically depending on what you choose, but to get a general idea:

Starters
Breaded mushrooms - £2.99
Crispy squid / Salmon and mozzarella fishcakes - £3.49

Mains
Simply pasta (wholewheat penne, tomato sauce and garlic bread) - £5.99
Spitroast chicken and chips - £6.99
Flame grilled salmon - £7.99

Desserts
Brownie skewers - £3.99
Profiteroles - £3.49
Apple pie - £2.99
Ice cream sundae - £2.49


~*~ The drinks ~*~

The chain offers a wide selection of beers, wines and spirits. Soft drinks - all the usual - are a bargain £1.25 for a regular, and homemade lemonade just £1! Cheapest wine is £2.20 a glass or £7.95 a bottle, and cocktails start at around £2.90. Cider starts at £2.50, lager £2.15. Nice and cheap!

~*~ Special diets - nutritional information ~*~

As I mentioned earlier, the restaurant caters well for vegetarians and all items on the menu that are vegetarian are indicated with a green 'V'.

The menu also clearly shows healthier options, which are lower fat and calories with a red heart. Nutritional information is avaliable for all items on the menu on the website. The harvester isn't the healthiest place to eat by far (well it is a grill!) but if you are calorie counting its worth checking out the menu before hand to see your options. Some of the dishes are extremely high calorie (BBQ stack burger meal at 1551!?) but the fish dishes are good, with the salmon and tuna coming in at under 550 per meal, including the sides they come with so you can eat healthy out! Steer clear of the brownie skewers (1286 calories!) if you are watching your weight!


~*~ The offers ~*~

Earlybird menu is avaliable every day of the week until 6.30pm (you have to order before this time) and includes a good selection from the main menu at discounted prices. With starters just £2.49 each and mains from £4.99-£5.99 you definitely grab yourself a bargain by going out that little bit earlier!

FREE ICE CREAM!

http://www.harvester.co.uk/voucher_page1.htm

If you use the link above you also get a free sundae best ice cream per person with every main meal ordered, including with early bird meals. One voucher can be used for up to four guests. Two course meal for £4.99? Sorted!


~*~ The verdict ~*~

The harvester is a nice little chain of family friendly pub/grills with very reasonable prices and good food. Ok, it's not gourmet, but what do you expect for that price! The chain caters well for special diets and there is something on offer for everyone - if your after a cheap meal for a fiver then great, but there are also more 'premium' choices such as grilled sea bass which have a more luxurious feel to them.

Definitely worth a go!

Summary: A good little friendly chain