Pub review: Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay

Other people find fun in collecting footballers’ names and building them into a team; I like reading menus (any menus, all menus) and choosing what I’d have if I happened to be eating there.

It’s most fun when you actually do happen to be planning on calling in and tasting whatever dish has caught your eye.

When we wandered through the old town and along the quay this particular fine evening we were in the mood for seafood, which is quite lucky as there’s so much on offer in Poole, and so many places in which to eat it.

Prices and venues vary from cheap and cheerful fish and chips to top-price cuisine. We had a fine time reading many, many menus (well, I did – my other half tends to start looking a bit glazed and desperate after a while) before arriving at the Portsmouth Hoy.

The Hoy, one of several proper old pubs on the quay, drew us in with the promise of a “seafood mixed grill”. What a fantastic feast those words conjured up – and the reality didn’t disappoint.

The pub’s interior is extremely welcoming, with wooden tables and a real fire for the winter. It’s popular with both locals and tourists and has a comprehensive menu and real ales.

Seafood we wanted, and seafood we certainly got. As well as the mixed grill we ordered the seafood platter, and between them they made a fantastic and varied shared feast for two.

The mixed grill was made up of tuna, salmon, seabass and king prawns, served with salad and chips. The fillets were generous, the prawns huge and everything was very tasty and hot.

The seafood platter is a cold selection which can be ordered for one or two people.

Our plate for one included prawns, king prawns, smoked mackerel, smoked salmon, crab and smoked trout, again all in generous quantities and served with dressed salad and granary bread.

It was a simple, delicious meal – set off by a bottle of white wine and a pint of beer – which hit the spot entirely and we left as very happy customers.

The bill came to £44.25.