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Olive Tree, Jacobs Well

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user reviews of the Olive Tree, Jacobs Well

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

My point is, although the site is called Beer in the Evening, as the blurb says, it is also about eating and socialising . Some people go to the pub to drink. Some to eat. Some to get pissed. Some to merely socialise. Some to read even. It's not all about ale. There are many reasons to visit a pub , and those who visit are entitled to post a review. This does not necasseraly have to include listing all the beers on offer and their condition.


Tuna - 31 May 2013 21:10
Your point is Tuna ?????

Be appy.
anonymous - 31 May 2013 20:29
WELCOME TO BEERINTHEEVENING.COM
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Tuna - 31 May 2013 19:54
On a beer website it would be good if contributors could say what beers are served and how they are kept!
fellwalker - 31 May 2013 18:28
Food-based pub but you get regular drinkers early evening. Varied menu (changes slightly every day depending what is available). I know this pub quite well. They have two freezers, one for bread, one for chips, and everything else is fresh. Everything cooked to order including vegetables which is why the previous poster might have thought the service slow. Things like lasagne and stew cooked that morning, so things run out.

Worth mentioning there are two menus, the bar menu in the bar and (you guessed) the restaurant menu in the restaurant (which has the starters on it). Strange arrangement since you can order anything off either and eat it anywhere.

Also worth mentioning that if Rupe (the owner) is cooking, then be very insistent about how you want your steak cooked. Twice I've ordered medium-rare and got severely well done when he's been in the kitchen.

On the plus side, everything on the menu is just ingredients and not Brakes pre-packed, so (within reason) they will be happy to add/remove things from your selection, e.g. if you don't like minted peas, ask them not to put mint in them.

Last night 3 mains (rump steak, chicken, leek and ham pie, and something else) plus 2 desserts came to �48.
Gzornenplat - 25 Nov 2011 15:34
More of a resturant than a pub.
Food was well cooked, but the service was slow.
Family parties were the norm at lunchtime.
jbsjazzer - 23 Nov 2011 10:08
My husband and I visited here for a celebratory meal on a Thursday night. We were one of the first customers to arrive and we were put at a small table in the doorway, overlooking the entrance to the kitchen and some stacked up chairs. Why, when the rest of the room was nearly empty? We asked to move to a more discreet table with better positioning, which they did, but we got the impression that they weren't keen as it meant moving us to a table set for 4. Our waitress (a student on her holidays?) got confused at the concept that we'd like 2 glasses of Prosecco to begin with and then a bottle of wine with our meal. Also, she brought out the olives and bread she'd offered for whilst we were waiting, at the same time as the starter. The staff then seemed confused when we asked for a gap between our starter and our main, as we felt we were being too rushed. The end result being that another member of staff came to our table to ask when exactly we wanted to eat. Also, I ended up having to ask for the bottle of wine to be provided to our table, as it was forgotten. Overall, the food was very good, particularly the fish which was cooked well...but the management really need to focus more on training up the waiting staff on the basics of restaurant service. As in our case, the service really did detract from the whole experience.
Lou30 - 20 Sep 2010 13:25
Pricey but a really nice venue and great quality food so overall good value for money. There are very few nice places to eat and drink around Woking - totally worth trying out. But it is a restaurant really and not a pub and not great for kids. You'll have much more fun as a couple or with friends.
motherof3 - 31 Aug 2010 19:05
I've known the owners since they ran the Jolly Farmer in Worplesdon and what a tight ship they run. The fish is first class, most of the meat comes from the best butcher in the area (Fulk's of Pirbright) and Rupe is a great chef (as are his varied team of accompanying chefs). Yes it is a foodee pub and if you want Mitchells and Butler packet food do not come. If you want all main courses under a tenner as Fuller's allegedly stated when they took over the Jolly, don't come. Everything that should be is prepared freshly and as it runs out it is struck off the boards (as should happen in any decent restaurant). As for comparison with the West End (whatever that means), I was entertained in a newly converted meat restaurant near Smithfield where they took great pleasure in telling us the provenance of each piece of meat and its age. Shame is they were all as chewy as Biltong as corporates are afraid to hang their meat.
MDG - 18 Dec 2009 07:35
Bought my wife to Olive Tree for her birthday. Had reserved table for two. Table a bit sticky and strangely laid out with places diagonally set and not opposite each other, so we rearranged. I thought staff seemed cold and unfriendly and didn't seem to like being asked questions. Young waitress never smiled, older girl stressed-out. We both ordered starters and main courses, mussels and scallops. Mussels were cold and sauce smothered in butter, however scallops were good according to wife. Steaks arrived but were cold. Desserts expensive but nothing special. Total came to �85, including wine so not that cheap. Main complaint would be that the staff seemed a bit off.
Rialtas - 14 May 2009 20:36
The thing about this place that people don't seem to get is that The Olive Tree is a resturant, not a pub!! Don't be surprised that the only places to sit are the bar stools or the sofa (and thats only when those areas are not being taken up by 'pre-dinner drinks' customers.
Summer is a much better time of year to visit this place if you want a pint as you can sit out on the patio.
regular100 - 1 Apr 2008 11:53
Interesting 'pub'...
Popped in to meet a few friends for a couple of drinks. As soon as I walked through the door the staff wanted to know why I was there, when I walked through the pub to see whether my friends had already arrived I thought they were going to shout at me to return to the bar and explain my actions.
After getting a drink I advanced towards a vacant table when again the staff behind the bar questioned me, wanted to know if I was eating and when I said no they pointed to the only 2 soft chairs in the whole pub (all the tables were made up with plates & cutlery), however as I was meeting friends they had to let me take a table. There were loads of free tables and it was a Wednesday night, this did not appear to be a problem.
Needless to say, felt very unwelcome and won't be going back. Not even for food - looked at the menu, very expensive!
Erdingerfan - 14 Mar 2008 19:21
Went here last Friday for a meal. The food prices were very very high, but as we have just moved in to the area we thought we`d give it a go. What a mistake.
We had mains of Fish and Steak. The fish was not fully cooked and slimy and I asked for my Rump steak medium but gt a charcoaled/burnt piece of what must have been meat once. Complained to the staff who looked bewildered and did nothing. Will never go again, way better restaurants in Guildford for half the price.
harrisr9 - 19 Jun 2007 11:06
Jacob might be well,but he`d be broke if he eat and drank in here.
Guildforddrinker - 15 Apr 2007 13:49
First thing to hit you when you look at the menu is the price of things,i thought i had walked into a top class restaurant in the west end of London,walked out and checked no i was in Sutton Green,went back in and had a beer (average) nothing to eat though if i want to pay these price`s i would go to a top class restaurant.
brnwz4 i see from your comment you must be one of the staff ( or used to be )or just plain rich.
Totally agree with PubRealitycheck last comment.
anonymous - 16 Feb 2007 19:35
Bit posh but if you can get over that the beer is good. Would say it is mainly a place where people come to eat though
Will2 - 15 Feb 2007 21:45
A trulely fantasic pub. very well furnished and very comfortble. always welcoming and warm.
great beers and good ales.
food is amazing and i'm sure the chefs are working 110% to keep it that way ! but dont just take my word for that try and book a table at the last minute or pop in on a friday night , IT'S PACKED ! this is one pub that i have always found to be busy which says only one thing ! IT'S GREAT !!!
bmwz4 - 29 Dec 2006 17:21
dgcarboni get it right Jolly Farmer Worplesdon & just as expensive as that place used to be!!!
anonymous - 8 Sep 2006 16:24
Hmmmmmm.....Got to pub and were disgruntledly met by hurried staff seemingly not knowing what direction to turn to next. We ordered drinks and sat at our booked table for some time before drinks arrived then we were asked if we were ready to order food before even seeing a menu or being told where it was!! Finally found busy chalkboard which was plastered with Fantasy "Fresh Fish" options and not much else really!
I opted for the 'Roast Sirloin of Beef' (as it was Sunday) which I thought no Chef could do any harm to but guess what!!!! It had happened. Not only was it very over cooked but it was also cold! to me this certainly didn't reflect the �15:80 price tag. YES �15:80 I HEAR YOU ASK YOURSELF!!! accompanied with this luke warm meat and thin bisto led gravy were two almost cooked roast potatoes and some raw veg! (about 2 mins from al dente) Anyway I was paying for this meal and I was determined to enjoy it but unfortunatly I couldnt... My better half opted for the roast pots & veg minus the meat..not bad at �13-50!!!!!!!!!!! it was the only veggie option.
Note to Pub; GET REAL! mug punters wear thin quickest
PubRealitycheck - 16 Aug 2006 02:06
Cracking place, my favourite pub. Love the desserts - the Banoffee pie is the best I've found in Surrey (the guys in the kitchen were formerly at the Jolly Farmer in Bramley). The food is lovely for a special evening out, the decor pleasant and the staff are friendly. I think it's probably the best bar/restaurant in the area
dgcarboni - 20 Jul 2006 17:11
Could not have put it better than review on the 2nd April by Nick Davies.If you have the money find some where else to spend it not good value here im afraid
anonymous - 4 Jun 2006 09:29
Externally rather suburban given the semi-rural setting, internally it has suffered the standard gastropub refit, wood panelling painted pastel shades, bare floor, horrid sofas. If you're a Pretentious Tosser it's home from home. Only pretentious tossers would pay nine quid for ham egg and chips....but the beer's fine, Harvey's and Landlord, though if you just want a drink you'll be pushed to find a seat away from the noisy PTs and their screaming kids. Not worth a diversion, let alone a special trip, but if you must go its not easy to find, follow the sign for Sutton Green from Jacobs Well.
nickdavies - 2 Apr 2006 17:45
As per my own discerning tastes, this is the place to go if you fancy a brilliant meal and the right setting to get utterly rat-arsed in. It is not cheap. I had lunch there with me missus on Thursday and it set me back 72 knicker, but I say Carruthers, what good is earning it if you can't spend it? Dave is a good bloke, which is quite sad really when one remembers he follows Woking FC. What on earth did he do in a previous life to deserve this? The best boozer in all of the area, though I would wish to know of similar, though I doubt better!
BoozerFC - 21 Oct 2005 16:49
Fantastic country pub & eating house Food always wonderful, (especially on my Birthday!!) wide selection & lovely fresh fish . Warm & friendly staff. Thoroughly recommend a visit!
Ozzy01 - 15 Jun 2005 16:59
Fresh fish to die for, bar food is great as well, all served by people who seem to actually care about their job.
anonymous - 9 Feb 2005 03:03
Superb eating house, great decor and staff. Gets v. busy so is advisable to book.
anonymous - 1 Feb 2005 17:29
Brilliant pub - both for drinking and eating. Stylish decor, great staff and Jill is an outstanding chef!
Louise Ellett-Carty - 15 Nov 2004 10:29
This is a fantasic pub. The staff are great, the food is good, the decor is attractive. There is a really cosy bar area and a largish restaurant which serves a good choice of starters and main courses, many of them being fish. Really very nice all round.
James - 8 Nov 2004 13:06
Recently renamed from the Fox and Hounds to The Olive Tree. This pub is used as a landmark on maps so it's best that they make the name change well-known quite soon! If you don't have a car, you will spend most of your time trying to get here, though there is a bus service of some kind.
Will - 3 Sep 2004 19:58

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