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Engine Room

Poundbury Garden Centre, Dorchester, England
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Ranked #60 of 77 restaurants in Dorchester
Cuisines: British
Dining options: Reservations
Most recent review
- 28 Apr 2013
Restaurant details
Dining options: Reservations
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17 reviews from our community

47% Recommend
    4
    4
    4
    2
    3
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
United Kingdom
1 review
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2013

Don't know what's happened to this place! We had to ask the waitress if she could take our Order after giving us menus 20 mins before. 25 mins later 3 drinks appeared with no toasted tea cakes. Waited 10 mins and asked where they were, the waiter checked the order and it seems that they Had forgotten.The restaurant was not... More

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UK
Top Contributor
61 reviews 61 reviews
32 restaurant reviews
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 March 2013

This restaurant, coffee shop, tea rooms has nice decor but is far from welcoming. Surly staff, not particularly warm and on a Saturday morning the selection of cakes and pastries were tired looking. We had a hot drink and toasted tea cakes and whilst the tea cakes were good, the butter appeared to be rationed. All a little pricey too.... More

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Maidenhead
Top Contributor
74 reviews 74 reviews
41 restaurant reviews
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 March 2013

Tonight, we have been to the Engine Room at Poundbury for a wonderful meal. We have been many times for an excellent lunch, but they now open on Friday & Saturday evenings too. The food is fantastic, and at £25 for 3 courses, it is punching well above its weight for quality and choice of food. Thoroughly recommended!

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Dorchester, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 March 2013

We booked late and were blown away by not only the world class presentational standards of the food but also the quality and taste. The whole experience is to be repeated. Poundbury is a delight to live on and to be able to frequent such a place by foot is a significant attraction. The CHEF's skills need to be experienced.

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Weymouth, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 February 2013

I will not be returning to the Engine Room until they have improved their Health & Safety standards. Last weekend their waitresses looked scruffy, wore dirty aprons, long hair that was not tied back, quite frankly the place was a mess! There was a long wait before we got the menus then another 15 minutes before our order was taken.... More

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Dorchester, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 January 2013

This is near to perfect meeting place from breakfast to afternoon tea . Food is of the highest quality large portions served with great taste. A joy to visit in a great locationnwith delightful staff

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dorset
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 December 2012

Went late afternoon and waited over 20 mins for 2 coffees, a coke, tap water and a brownie cake. The restaurant was not busy but the two more mature members of staff who were running the drinks side of things were hopeless. In 20 mins I watched 6 drinks come out made by a woman who looked under pressure, rushing... More

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Dorchester, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
8 restaurant reviews
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 November 2012

My dining experience was based upon a group reservation that had sole use of the Engine Room. The staff were polite and attentive, greeting guests with the agreed range of drinks. The layout of the restaurant made best use of the space to accommodate our group. The menu was chosen in advance and in my case the duck leg was... More

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Sherborne
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
11 restaurant reviews
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 November 2012

The food portions are large and the quality is good but there is little for vegetarians other than salads, omelettes and quiche.

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Dorchester, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
56 reviews 56 reviews
17 restaurant reviews
59 helpful votes 59 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 October 2012

large bistro cafe/restaurant in poundbury at the garden centre i have been quite a few times this year as it is local, but we have a lot of new places now so they need to up their game. BTW this place has 2 ranks on TA...engine room and THE engine room so TA should combine the 2 has they are... More

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