3 /5 Zoe B: We ate here on Saturday afternoon. Having worked in hospitality myself, I feel fairly well placed to offer some constructive feedback.
When we arrived, we weren’t greeted. Three members of staff were chatting behind the bar and only acknowledged us once I mentioned we were there to eat. We were then seated at a nicely laid table, and the more senior member of the team was very knowledgeable about allergens, which was appreciated as a few of us had dietary requirements.
One person at our table ordered the Camembert, which unfortunately arrived still in its Président wrapper. I completely understand buying produce in and marking it up, but it would be better presented if it were transferred to a dish or ramekin rather than served in the original packaging. It felt a little like paying restaurant prices for something we could easily prepare at home. That said, the focaccia served alongside it was lovely and tasted homemade.
The mains were a bit mixed. The fish and chips were excellent and the Caesar salad was good, but the burgers and fillet steak felt fairly average for the price point. The lemon posset was tasty but the portion was quite large and might be better served in a martini glass or similar to elevate the presentation, as it currently felt similar to how I would serve it at home (in a very basic bowl).
Our s’more unfortunately arrived with a hair in it, though the team were quick to replace it and were apologetic, which we appreciated. We did have to ask for it to be removed from the bill, I would have expected this to be done automatically as a gesture.
The service overall felt a little inconsistent. Some staff were friendly, while others seemed less engaged and could benefit from some additional customer service training. A few team members were wearing old/dirty trainers as part of their uniform, which slightly cheapened what we had been hoping would feel like a special treat.
When we left, no one said goodbye or thanked us, which is something I would consider a basic standard in hospitality.
The setting itself is lovely, and I would happily return in the summer for drinks, but based on this experience I probably wouldn’t choose to dine here again.
