Well, reading some other positive reviews of this place I think either I am living in cloud cuckoo land or some people are very easily pleased. We arrived at mid-day on a very cold November morning to a cold bar, with a log fire nicely LAID in the large hearth but not lighted. Pointed remarks did not result in any warming gestures from the staff.The pre-lunch drinks were mega-expensive for what after all is a country pub and the hoped-for bonhomie from mine hosts was conspicous by its absence.. We were a largish party and were ushered to our long table pretty quickly, I suspect to clear the bar in case other customers appeared. This resulted in a wait, whilst sitting, of at least half an hour for our starters, (pre-ordered) which arrived spasmodically and were handed across other lunchers with little or no ceremony. Some of us had therefore finished ours as others were just receiveing theirs!
The main courses (also pre-ordered) arrived in similar fashion again after a longish wait. We were all loath to purchase more drinks, on principle against the silly prices more than because we could not afford them, and received the requested water twenty minutes after asking for it, it was never offered.. The rest of the food was only OK – pub-grub at best, nothing special and with the risotto swimming in sickly cream, which displeased one or two of us.
At no stage were we asked if we had enjoyed our meal, if everything was alright etc. Probably just as well…
On our way out, we noticed about six other lunchers in the restaurant and one chap in the bar – the fire remained obstinately unlit!
We too found the service from the staff “tentative” as another reviewer has remarked elsewhere – although didn't they mean to say “attentive”?!…We shall not return…