There’s no puzzle over the secret to pub’s popularity
The manager of Farnborough’s Monkey Puzzle started working at the watering hole when she was just 13
GOOD value and traditional pub food is at the heart of Farnborough’s Monkey Puzzle.
The pub, in Ively Road, Southwood, is part of the Brewer’s Fayre chain and prides itself on being a family-friendly restaurant.
Food is served all day, with an all-you-can-eat breakfast starting at 6.30am on weekdays and at 7am at weekends, and a dining menu offered until 10pm.
The menu offers pub favourites such as smothered chicken, sausage and mash and steaks as well as new additions, including sweet chilli king prawns, bacon and mushroom pasta bake, grilled salmon salad and an all-day breakfast burger.
Manager Kate Hayden, who began working at the venue at the age of 13 and became manager in 2008 after a brief stint away, leads a team of 34 staff.
She said: “We do lot of functions, like weddings, christenings and big birthdays, and we put a special touch on them and don’t charge. Some of our staff have been here a long time, one lady has been here about 20 years, and others are quite new and we have young people here that go to catering college or are studying locally. I’ve been here 21 years so there’s definitely something in it. I have been all round the country and I came back to the pub in 2008, it has a very special place in my heart.”
Throughout the week, the pub runs a number of special offers including a two-for-£10 deal on selected mains which include chicken tikka masala, beef lasagne, scampi and chips and gammon steak; and two-for-£2.50 on selected desserts. A differentlythemed buffet is held every evening, from 5pm to 8pm.
Guests can enjoy all-youcan-eat Mexican; Italian; burgers and hot dogs; curry; or fish and chips – from Monday to Friday, respectively – for £6.99 for adults and £4.49 for under 12s.
Saturday is chicken feast evening, with a buffet of smothered chicken, barbecue roast chicken, spicy roast chicken and breaded chicken burger, all available with a range of sides and dips, and a Sunday carvery is available, from 12pm, for £9.99.
In the lead up to Farnborough Airshow, Miss Hayden is preparing for the pub’s busiest weekend of the year.
She said: “People like to come and sit outside and enjoy the garden.
“We will have two bouncy castles arriving next week and I’m getting new fencing done outside so the pub can look good for when the airshow is on.”
The pub will also be undergoing a short refurbishment on July 22, to freshen up the walls and floors.
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