The Rose & Thistle

I had this on very high recommendation, my parents went on a mini break at Fordingbridge. They dined here twice as they said they liked the menu so much that they couldn’t just go once and wanted to sample more of the menu.
When we came back to this area on a family holiday they said they had to take me here.
The pub was a bit tricky to find and we relied on sat nav, located in a small village its only slightly out the way. The exterior and interior is lovely with the traditional countryside pub reflective in even the traditional ivory looking handled cutlery. The massive fireplace was slightly modernised with white pillar candles that looked warm, cosy and elegant.
I like a menu that is one page and this one was. I was immediately drawn to the Steak served in a garlic, oyster mushroom and tarragon sauce and knew I had to try it. It was amazing! The steak I ordered as rare and it was cooked perfectly, the meat was very tender. All are mains came with a side vegetable selection including a perfect potatoes dauphinoise, buttered carrots, grilled courgette and cooked beetroot. The vegetables were almost as good as the steak!
I had a traditional Queen’s pudding for dessert which I’ve only ever had once or twice at home. It was delicious and I was completely impressed by the meringue on top as it was huge and fluffy — making it very fun to eat

Not just a pub — an establishment! Locals tell me it’s always enjoyed a reputation for good food and our lunch held up the tradition.
The menu is extensive (sole, veal, pheasant, salmon, plus the usual suspects) and rich (in sauce as well as money). We ordered from the specials board: dover sole in spiced butter and manor farm pheasant in red wine gravy. Both were excellent and my only complaint is that the sole was drowning in the butter sauce. This seems to be a trend with English cuisine — dousing the food with tons of sauce, whether it’s gravy or butter or curry.
We didn’t have room for dessert (oh, sorry, pudding, as they call it here), but we ordered one anyway — the panna cotta was light and delicate. And then we got humbugs with our check. That’s mint candies, Yanks.
The dining room is tiny and popular so do book a table in advance. If it’s wintertime, ask them to hold the one by the fire for you — very romantic.
This place is down the road from some delightful thatch-​roofed homes and English cottages, and horses share the road, so if you sit in the garden, you might see them. When I think of England, this is the kind of place I think of. If you’re driving around aimlessly or on your way to Salisbury, this is a good choice for a pit stop.