A firm thumbs-down for the Vineyard after a weekend Gastronomic Break that was ruined by tired and threadbare accommodation and shoddy service all topped off by “bill shock”. Foodwise, the Vineyard didn't do much wrong. My wife and I found the A La Carte menu on Friday night as impressive as it gets outside London, while the tasting menu on Saturday was up there with the very best. Highly imaginative and skillfully executed modern eclectic fare that draws proudly from the very best local produce. But if ever an entire establishment was “carried” by the Chef, then this it it. Our catalogue of discontent included being charged nearly £70 for a meal we never ordered; charged for post-dinner drinks we never had; charged £36 for a bottle of Bandol La Suf when what we actually received was one glass of Califonian Rose; charged for chocolate selection that we never received; a cream tea we we assured was included in the weekend package… and on and on it goes. It is clear that the one thing the Vineyard does with aplomb is charge, and it does that very well indeed. It charges like a wounded buffalo.
Attention to detail was woefully lacking. We were seated for breakfast and endured a 25-minute wait without tea, coffee or anything else at all before I was forced to aproach the restaurant manager requesting service. Even a humble club soda is beyond the grasp of the Vineyard. An explanation to our waitress as exactly how to prepare this drink was met with a blank expression, followed by a flat refusal by the bar to mix the drink. On night two, my wife's request for a Bailey’s coffee was met by blank faces and another blunt refusal, even though a bottle of Baileys stood in plain view behind the bar.
Correspondence further to our disastrous weekend resulted in the Vineyard's management team offering us 50% off our next visit. Now why would I spend further money at The Vineyard so it can prove to me that it can do its job properly? Good food, but an experience that leaves a sour taste in… More