The Royal Oak

My friends and I went to the Royal Oak on sunday and we were treated to the Worst customer service we have ever come across.

After 45minutes we had to ask for someone to take our order as were conscious they wanted the table back after 2 hours, when the food finally arrived after 1hr and 30mins, it was fairly good, although 2 of the pork belly were not cooked correctly- the crispy skin was actually plastic, so chewy that they couldn't eat it, the meat itself was undercooked, we knew they needed the table back in 30mins so didn't complain, just ate the other sides.

At the end of the meal the waitress came over and said "done"? We said yes however just a small criticism - the meat wasn't cooked, she went to get someone else who came over and started ranting about nobody else had complained, (it was early in the day- how much had they served?) she asked why didn't we tell her, I said that nobody had come to ask us how the meal was and we didn't have the time to wait for more food to be cooked- she then proceeded to rant that no other gastopubs ask how the food is (has she ever eaten out before???) I said that she didn't need to be so defensive and we didn't complain sooner as quite frankly what could she of done as we were due to be kicked off soon.

She then ranted about the fact that she had worked there 7 years (7 years too long) and she knew what she was talking about as if we were idiots that know nothing about cooking.

I told her we were merely making a remark and she should not EVER talk to her customers like that, we are doing her a favour and paying her wages by being there.

In the end she walked off, gave us the bill and said "well I've taken the food off anyway"- we didn't care about paying for it- we did however have a problem with paying service charge for the abuse that she gave us, so we didn't pay the service and we walked out.

Horrendous- the management need to stop thinking this pub will run on location alone- the staff are the worst we have ever come across- I will never eat there again!!!
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 10, 2011

We have been to the Dining Rooms a few times and have to say they have been becoming worse with each visit. The last visit, on a weekday night was the poorest so far. Apart from the 'waiter' who seemed inconvienenced by actually having to serve someone (which is somewhat strange, as I would imagine that is actually his job!), the food was bad. We ordered the fish and chips, and the chips seemed to have been fried about three times over. They were pretty much inedible. The fish itself was ok. In fact upon reflection, they were probably cooked at lunchtime and reheated. To add to that, the small spoonful of mushy peas were very cold. It is a real shame as The Royal Oak used to be good. Not anymore. Shame. I guess without people wanting to eat there though at least the waiter has more time to do nothing.....
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Glenn Kiernan
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, October 03, 2010

We were here on a Sunday afternoon after the flower market. We sat upstairs by the window which was great. The food was very good, I had the sea bream which was very well cooked whereas my friends settled for a massive serve of fish and chips and a Sunday roast beef which both looked good.

Prices were typical gastro pub prices but the food was very well cooked and the services was excellent. Would go again if I was in the area
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Annie - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, July 05, 2010