Chef and Brewer Collection Reviews 

Ball and Wicket Pub - Holt Pound. Lovely waitresses efforts totally wasted by arrogant, ignorant and offhand manager/owner - who incidentally accused us of "Threatening" the waitress, who was actually the only asset the pub had that evening.
Food was under par for the money.
All in all explains why it was literally empty on a Saturday evening at 8PM.
Not a great choice if you appreciate service, good food and a nice evening meal.

Royal Oak, Farnham Common, Bucks. No rice on a Saturday night meant 3 options on limited menu were spoilt by potato only option. Female server was off hand with no customer facing skills.

We had a lovely meal at the Three Horseshoes in Spellbrook yesterday. The food was delicious, including choices we made from the chef's specials. Very friendly staff made for an enjoyable, unhurried catch up with friends.

I went to the Yew Tree pub in Great Horksley on thursday 24th June. We waited at the bar for 10 minutes before we were greeted by a member of staff. We said we were going in to the garden to dine. We tried to use the app to order our food but it was not working. So my daughter went to the bar to order our food and drinks. The food came out fairly quickly and the quality was ok but very expensive. We asked if we could have some condiments but did not get them. My daughter had to wait a while at the bar eventually the waitress came out to give us the condiments whilst my daughters meal went cold. I felt for the 2 young people as the pub was busy and they were the only 2 staff on duty. The young guy told it was is first night so I wonder
why there was no manager on duty. To top it all there was a power cut and we were left to sit in the dark and they could not get the electric back on.

The Swan at Ash does lovely food in a great setting. Their breakfast is superb.

Have the bonus of taking Tesco vouchers

Booked a table for 6pm at the Black Bull Corbridge. On getting there had to wait some time until someone was free to see to us! Ordered fish and chips to be told at 6:10pm there was NO chips!!! Fish came with supposed to be fries but were like chip sticks, and unable to get fork into them. We ended up leaving most of them. The fish was pretty hard to get into too as the batter was hard. On all plates fish and "chipsticks" were left. £60 a lot to pay for a poor meal. Maybe a visit to the Jingling Gate in Westerhope would help the chef, as the meals are first class there.

The staff were attentive and friendly. Nothing too much trouble. Food excellent (apart from the poached eggs that were hard). At least one member of staff started work early as he was on the premises and it was busy.

Originally went to the chequers in Redbourn, October 2023. At least half of what we tried to order from the menu they didn't have. Ended up walking out. Got a £30 gesture of good will voucher. Went back last Saturday for lunch and yet again they did not have what was on the menu. This time it was a standard item, chicken !
Can't complain about the staff, they apologised and were polite.
What restaurant doesn't have a basic item such as chicken !.
Food was ok but nothing more than average. Will never go back there. There lack of food off the menu spoilt two birthday lunches.

The Gatwick Manor - Gatwick

We had a dreadful experience here last night, not only was the food sub standard but we had a rat in the dining room!
The staff did not take our complaint seriously, confirmed that it was a countryside location, with a pond and therefore we should expect such things!
They also confirmed that Rentokil visit weekly which doesn’t give much confidence. Stay away from this venue - it was appalling!

Red lion in Martlesham Suffolk. Absolutely appalling portion sizes. My partner ordered a steak with seasonal salad and chips. 12 chips and a tiny portion of limp watercress is what she received, the steak can only be described as mediocre at best. I had a crispy chicken burger and received a tiny portion of small chips and small chicken bits with less than one rasher of bacon a tiny slice of tomato and half a lettuce leaf. We didn't bother with desert. For the privilege of this meal we would have paid nearly £50, though I refused to pay full price we were only deducted our drinks. Appallingly expensive for what can only be described as a snack. We went elsewhere for something else to eat. We shall not be returning and i can only advise people to avoid and go elsewhere! Drive a mile or so into Woodbridge for a much better experience! The only positive were the superb staff. I feel embarrassed for them. I must also add it has been getting progressively tight on its portion sizes in recent times with very little food/meat on a plate of sunday roast. The pubs hey day has sadly long since gone. Such a shame.

We've just had a meal at the George IV in Baldock. Good meal, good value. BUT why is that Chef & Brewer cannot provide an alternative milk to cow's milk for those who are allergic? They offer a special i-Pad with info about all other allergies - but not milk alternatives. You should be able to do better than this Chef and Brewer.

The Holly Bush, Little Hay great venue, was looked after by a smashing chap called Ash, bit weird the menu doesn't include am option to have a salad as a main meal!

PLEASE DO NOT EAT HERE. Another bad experience at A Chef and Brewer. I would give this a 0 star if I could. Booked a 1pm table (on Mothers Day), to take my 89 year old (wheelchair bound) Mum out for a roast. We were met in a friendly way but downhill all the way after that. Had to wait 30 minutes for our starters and the squid was so rubbery it was vile. Also tried to push a third starter on us when we only ordered 2. Had to wait a further 1 hour and 20 minutes, so we asked to speak to the Manager who apologised and said they had run out of cutlery and he was learning as it was only his 5th day. So after a 1 hour and 30 minute wait, our roasts eventually came out. The turkey was raw, the pig in blanket had burnt bacon and the sausage was raw in the middle. The Yorkshire pudding was cold, rubbery but raw and runny in the middle. Roast potatoes were just raw potatoes that had been dunked in oil. Vegetables cold. A little jug of gravy each that was so thick and solid, we needed knives to remove it out of the jugs - lifting the jug upside down didn’t shift it. We asked to speak to the Manager and we told him we couldn’t eat our food and would not be paying. He agreed and put £0 to pay on the bill. We rang back when we got home and The Manager also refunded our £15 deposit and apologised again and was embarrassed. The Feathers used to be such a lovely place with good food and family atmosphere but has clearly been run into the ground by Chef and Brewer and is an absolute utter disgrace. The customer service and food is unbelievably appalling. Extremely disappointing and we will continue to share our terrible experience and do not aim to return to The Feathers or any Chef and Brewer. Hope nobody came down with food poisoning. There were several very angry customers and I’m sure it spoilt Mothers Day for many Mums, my own Mum included.

The Bull in Goring for Mother’s Day, I took my 92 year old mum, my wife and two daughters. It was a lovely sunny day and the restaurant was light and very full, however all of the staff were fantastic, super friendly and attentive the whole visit, making sure we had everything we wanted and if they could help with anything. The food was fantastic, extra gravy without having to ask, everything made this a memorable Mother’s Day. I can’t praise everyone enough, about as good a lunch out as i have ever had, thank you all at The Bull ❤️

We normally have a good meal at the grange but unfortunately tonight the food let it down
The asparagus with poached egg and hollandase sauce, the egg was like a boiled egg and the sauce was watery. The squid was cold.they had run out of turkey which can’t really be helped but as it was on the menu twice , on its own and with a trio you would have thought that they would have cooked plenty, so the trio meat was a duo . The wellington mushroom tasted like it was cooked in the morning as was the Yorkshire pudding.
Apple tart was nice and hot but the pastry was under cooked .
All in all very poor food but I can’t fault the staff they were very friendly , professional and willing .
The chefs had obviously had enough because they kept coming out of the kitchen to the bar for a chat , I think they would be better off concentrating on the food.

Staff very friendly, food not so good!
Ordered fishcake which stated it came with seasonal salad, poached egg and lemon mayonnaise.

Plate arrived with fishcake, a poached egg that was overcooked and looked more like a fried egg, a sprinkling of limp rocket and a couple of slices of dried up radish. Personally I don’t think that represents a seasonal salad! Very poor value for money compared to other dishes we have enjoyed previously

Stayed at Premier Inn , north Swindon for 4 nights, had food at The Cold Harbour which adjoined the inn.Ten in the party , down for the races at Cheltenham. All the staff at the pub were excellent, they really looked after us . At breakfast in the morning and dinner at night , they couldn`t do enough for us, very professional , polite and attentive.Thanks to all the team especially Hayley in the morning and Millie in the evening , who took the banter in her stride.

Shire Horse Stafford. Excellent Sunday Lunch. Very nice setting. All staff very friendly and helpful. Special Thanks to Rosie who was our waitress, she was very attentive and looked after our party of five very well, even though the restaurant was very busy.

Dined at the Royal Oak Farnham Common this evening. Service was good as always, but over the last few months, as with other restaurants prices have gone up and quality and quantity of food has gone down. My wife and I had their once very enjoyable steak and ale pie, this evening it was more pastry and the contents mostly gravy and a few bits of gristle. Won’t be ordering that again!

The Royal Inn in Portishead is our local go to place for a morning coffee after a lovely walk , a lunch with friends and a family breakfast which we had recently.
We’ve just enjoyed a lovely meal for the 2 for £20 deal and must say the portions were as good as usual.
Our waitress Kirsty was lovely and checked we didn’t need anything else even though it was busy. I was very concerned when the inn was taken over as I loved its old world charms but I have to say the refurbishment has been completed tastefully and in keeping with the old building and the staff seem genuinely happy to work there although they do seem to be under pressure at times.
The Manager Kaman is friendly and the other lady who I think must be his 2nd in command is also very efficient and has a chat when she’s not too busy.
We really enjoy visiting and look forward to enjoying the garden when the weather gets warmer.