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Harvester: Excellent Bar & Grill.
Harvester Pub & Grill

Member Name: ReviewMe
Product:
Harvester Pub & Grill
Date: 01/11/10
Rating:
Advantages: Excellent Food
Disadvantages: None
LOCATION (10/10)
Apparently there are loads across the country, however the only one I have seen or been to is the one in Leeds, just round the corner from the White Rose Centre. Therefore my review will be on this particular establishment and not the company as a whole.
It is easy to get to, I was showed the way once and every other time I have been able to find it myself without getting lost (if you knew me you'd know this is a great achievement).
FIRST IMPRESSIONS (10/10)
My first impressions of the place were cut, they have a regular car park and what I would consider an overflow car park. The first time I went it was pretty empty and the second it was packed but with available spaces.
Both times, I walked in and was greeted by a waiter asking how many were in our party. This restaurant etiquette immediately made me think this establishment was better than a regular pub.
The first time I was shown straight to my table and given menus and asked what we'd be drinking. I asked for a couple of moments to decide and the waiter did not seem taken aback like many do when I don't know what I want to drink immediately.
The second time, they were very busy so they took out name and asked us to go to the bar and sit in the seating area. I thought it was great that they had an area for "drinks only" it meant that we were not standing on our feet waiting for a table to free up, which personally makes me awkward and unwelcome. We only had to wait about 10 minutes until we were called to out booth.
THE DRINKS (10/10)
I have had both a latte and a refillable soft drink. The latte comes with an ample about of sugar sachets to suit everyone's taste. The bottomless soft drink machine has Pepsi Max (my favourite) which many establishments don't. It also offers pepsi, diet pepsi and lemonade. My friend got some tea and they bring it out in a tea pot, which is a lovely touch, it also means you control the amount of milk and sugar.
Since this is a pub, they do offer alcoholic drinks, but being the driver I have never had one. However, I have noticed that they keep some wines in barrels, which I think is a lovely touch and adds to the atmosphere and image of the pub.
THE FOOD (10/10)
I have tried the cajun chicken burger, bbq chicken sandwich and fish n chips (stole some of my sister's, it looked so irresistible). All three meals were very nice and very filling. If you do have a larger appetite than myself then there is a salad bar, which is free with every order. I love the bread rolls and could happily eat 2 or 3 while waiting for my main meal to come. The salad bar has pasta salad, potato salad, bacon bits, croutons and traditional salad such as lettuce, peppers, tomatoes etc.
PRICE (8/10)
I would say the menu is reasonably priced, not as cheap as a lot of your pub lunches which offer 2 meals for £5, but this is a bar and grill after all. The dishes that I have tried are all around the £5/£6 and definitely worth the money. However, there are dishes that are more expensive (knocking the £15 mark) if you want to push the boat out. This is still not bad considering a lot of restaurants offer that sort of price for their cheaper dishes.
SERVICE (10/10)
As I have mentioned throughout this review, the service I received was fabulous even when the restaurant was busy, we only had to wait 20/30 minutes for 3 meals and considering there is a salad bar to entertain yourself with this is not bad. When the pub was less busy the food came in half the time. The second time I visited they forgot to bring the sauce out with my meal, but the waitress happily went and got it for me.
ATMOSPHERE (10/10)
This pub has a definite country theme, a modern country theme not a farmer's with muddy boots theme :) You can see chicken being spit roasted by the open kitchen, the decor is predominantly wooden with wooden barrels holding the wine as previously mentioned. The seating is comfortable with both tables and booths being on offer.
Summary: A great place to go for an upmarket pub lunch.
