The Bald Faced Stag

I visited The Bald Faced Stag with a friend yesterday for lunch. We received a very friendly welcome at the bar, and the same on going through to the restaurant. There was a varied menu, but the chef was perfectly happy to make one of the starters into a main for me. I enjoyed both courses and so did my friend. We were offered the pudding menu, but declined in favour of coffee. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and shall go again.

By the way, a previous reviewer commented on the chef using his hands. Those of us who are of the Old Guard were probably taught that this was anathema, but you have only to watch TV cookery programmes to see that nowadays the practice of using your hands is widespread and probably more efficient than any other method. We can assume that the chef's hands are spotlessly clean, so we had better get used to it. On this occasion I personally did not see the chef using his hands, but then, I wasn't watching. I do feel that seeing an open plan kitchen gives one a feeling of confidence.
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10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 27, 2011

My husband and I thought we'd treat ourselves to Sunday Lunch at the Bald Faced Stag today.

Our first impressions of the restaurant were good. It was nice and spacious and seemed very family friendly. We ordered the Spanish sharing platter as a starter which took a while to come but was quite nice. Then waited a long time for our main course (the roast chicken).

From my seat I had a good view of the kitchen and was more than a little concerned to see the cooks serving food with their bare hands (is that allowed nowadays?). After some considerable time our main arrived. It was ok...but definately not deserving of the high price tag. My husband ordered another beer...which just failed to materialise.

When a waiter came to take our plates when we had finished our main course we were not offered the dessert menu's or asked if we would like a coffee. We waited and waited...and no-one came.

In the end we asked to pay our bill. We declined the 'optional' 12.5% service charge, explaining that this was because my husband's ordered drink hadn't arrived and no-one had offered us desserts or coffees. Poor service...and we definately won't be returning.
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Debbie
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 27, 2011

I really want to start with the positives because this pub could be so good.

The food was on the whole very good - we had starters, the fish & chips and roast beef and some desserts and were pleased with all.

Unfortunately the service was absolutely shocking. It was 30 minutes after sitting down before our order was taken and some of the drinks were forgotten. The main course didn't arrive for another 45 minutes, which we polished off in 10 mins.

Perhaps foolishly we opted for dessert and although this arrived within 15-20 minutes, we did not manage to pay until 2 and a half hours after arrival. We were constantly ignored, had our orders forgotten and our waiter seemed to be left to manage most of the restaurant by himself while others stood around.

Our complaint to the manager about the service was fobbed off by poor excuses.

Now, I've been in restaurants where they've been busy and things have gone wrong - things happen - but the best places always keep you informed on progress and try to lighten the mood a little. Sadly, the bald faced stag failed miserably in this area.

Terribly disappointed.
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Warren Brompton
4 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, September 19, 2010