The Idle Hour (Barnes)

Awful, AWFUL evening here with lack of beers and a totally regrettable food experience. The owner needs to learn a great deal about customer service, as we recieved none.
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1 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, September 23, 2011

We went for Sunday lunch. The choice was minimal: a' roast '(hot chicken or cold ham); a burger; or a pasta dish. We chose the chicken and the burger. The chicken itself was fine, but the accompanying 'roast' new potatoes were not roasted at all, just tossed in a bit of butter. The accompaniments on offer to go with the roast were all cold (i.e. salads) - there were no other cooked vegetables. Merely providing a roast chicken (to carve oneself and served in a cold dish) does not constitute a traditional 'Sunday roast'. There was only one waiter who was very pleasant but obviously overstretched - apparently the manager was upstairs asleep. The two course meal took three hours. There is very little that would induce me to return. The feedback on the 'award winning' burgers was not particularly good either.
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3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

First time ever to this pub having moved into the area. Order a salad and burger. We were first in the pub. It took 45 minutes to receive the food. The rare burger was over done and French fries in goose fat cold and re-heated. Despite sending it back, all I got was a plate stuck in the microwave and re-heated again.

My appeal to speak with the manager was rebuffed. He had just got out the bath and couldn't be bothered to come downstairs and speak to me. First night off since Christmas apparently. It's August!!

Manager proceeded to tell he made 300 burgers a week without complaint. He had had the same chef for 6 years.

All then awards for 'fine' service date back to 2006/2007. Speaks volumes.

Awful service, awful food and the response of the manager just topped it.

Shame. Quaint pub, lovely setting, let down by the above.
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Adam
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

After appearing to what looked like a very nice pub from the outside and inside, I was already put out when the bar tender ignored myself and my colleges even when free, having then placed an order at 9.15 for 3 very simple burgers with fries, we went and sat down upstairs where there was 2 other tables.

After an hour we got a bit restless but gave them the benefit of the doubt, an hour and half later still no food so we mentioned to the waitress who would find out for us, surprise she never did, 2 hours later now 11.30pm our food arrived!

The fries were freezing! The burger was ok but I wouldnt wait 2 hours for it! Only to find out later they had run out of fries and these were left overs from others..nice!

The table next to us never got their mains only 4 of them 2 missed out and the resturant appeared not to have noticed.

When leaving they truely expected payment for the food and was extremely rude when comfronted about why we should pay!

NEVER EVER EVER WOULD I GO BACK! APPALLING IN EVERY WAY!!!
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0 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, June 09, 2011

I have been sitting here for 2 hours waiting for my food. It is no busier than the number of tables suggests they expect. I'm starving.
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Hungry
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, June 07, 2011