Queen's Head

I feel it is my place to add a review on here for the Queens Head - not something I would usually be party to or even bother with. However, after reading the comments below from Peter, I feel I really must disagree. I, along with my partner, also dined at The Queens on Valentines evening, and what an evening we had! We were seated upstairs, as we hadnt requested any particular table. I was pleased with the way we were greeted from a very friendly waitress, who showed us straight to our table and took our drinks order straight away. The upstairs of this beautiful pub was stunning, with a great atmosphere and a gorgeous open fire, roaring away which both my partner and I commented on whilst enjoying our bottle of champagne!
I can admit that we waited perhaps a few minutes longer than we would have liked for the main meal, but to be honest, I was enjoying my company, the champagne and also the banter from a table of 4 diners sitting near to us - we all ended up having a jolly old time!
The food was unlike anything I had ever tasted, truly superb.
We booked our table this evening on the recommendation of friends and how glad I am that we did!

Sorry that they don't do minus stars.

Went last night for Valentines Evening Meal – having booked 3 weeks ago (Tuesday 25th Jan) and asked for a specific table (that usually seats 4) and were advised at the time of booking that no-one else has reserved the table, but if a booking of four was needed then we would have to move – perfectly understandable.

I said that we wished to eat in the bar and not the restaurant.

I was told that as it was a Monday they didn’t usually open the restaurant anyway (I said I was surprised as it was 14th Feb and then girl whom took my booking said she was likely to be wrong but would note my table request and check – hence she came back and confirmed what I wanted and that the table was available). I was also advised that I need to pay a £10 deposit per person, which I did when we called in for a drink with friends on Sunday 6th Feb.

Both my wife and I made the effort to come home and get changed and then left home – we arrived 10 mins before our booking to have a drink and saw that the table was set for two – so though we were in for a lovely evening…..

Only to be told we were upstairs – but rather than fight it we took our drinks upstairs and were shown to our table at our allotted time (8 o’clock). As we did so that table that we had requested for was afforded to an elderly gentleman whom was very jovial with the man behind the bar; clearly they knew each other well – this was disappointing as I felt that my initial request had therefore had little precedence over a more frequent customer, but kept these thoughts to myself.

40 mins later (after we witnessed the table next to us on one side ask twice where their deserts were, and the table next to us have two starters for four people [the diner being the lady whom served us drinks from behind the bar when we initially arrived] and left the table to establish what was going on we finally managed to catch the eye of our waitress and ordered our meal (some items were very expensive for pub food - £60 for Chateau Briand for two) and some wine & water.

After a further 25 mins I then actually got up and approached a waitress discretely as I didn’t want to make a scene for either my beloved or other diners and asked what was going on – I attempted to politely see if she thought it was acceptable that we had been seated for over an hour, received absolutely nothing to the table and no-one had come back to us – not even a roll to bait the appetite, nor a drink. She responded that she would speak to her boss and come back to me – so I returned to my table.

A further 10 mins passed, she returned to the dining area a couple of times and completely ignored us as she and her colleague (whom took our order) continued to look after others. I spoke with my wife and after a short discussion as to what we should do we began to gather our belongings when the waitress whom took our order then arrived with the wine only – I said to her I didn’t think she ought to open it and she said she would go and find out what was happening – after waiting a further 5 minutes she did not return so we decided that in order to actually get a meal we would return home.

As we left I asked to speak to the manager – and was advised that he was the gentleman behind the bar – so I asked for a word and stated that I had waited for over an hour and a quarter without being served. I stated that as it was a special evening I did not really wish to discuss matters as it had already ruined it for the both of us, and to top it all the table we had booked had been given to another. To which I was advised that he would go to the kitchen and find out what was going on. Sadly he even failed to apologise….. We were on our way out of the door and I did think to myself what good is that! I was then left to get home and cook – with no special food, just the privilege of very special company.

To say I am disgusted is an understatement.

As we live in the village we have used the Queens Head for both drinks and meals (booking on one occasions) and with hindsight service has been poor and perhaps not reflective of the prices they charge, but if there is demand and they can achieve this then so be it.

However they still have my money and just so happened to spoil my 6th anniversary of when we became engaged.

A memorable experience (for all the wrong reasons) and an exceptional way to shown how things aren’t done. Especially as the day before we had friends around for lunch, one of whom is the group director for one of the worlds most exclusive retailers (Harvey Nicholls) whom said it’s not just about customer service but also how things are put back on course when things go wrong or not to plan. How right he was; and how unbelievable to have this delivered to my on my doorstep the following evening with such unpleasant, poor performance.

Needless to say we shall not be passing our hard earned income to those whom have treated us in such a manner.

Good food which is well presented. However, it is a pub but now charges restaurant prices.

Can be a little noisy with drinkers at the bar.

Extensive menu, friendly staff.