We turned up early on a Thursday evening; the pub looks fantastic and has a great atmosphere. The place was quiet, with only one or two other tables occupied. We ordered and 40 long minutes later the food arrived. My wife's vegetarian option was declared delicious; my younger son's fish and chips were also good. My own steak and kidney pudding was acceptable. However my older boy's meal was raw. He chose the pork faggots, and they looked cooked on the outside, but when he cut into it the meat inside was raw pink. Not just slightly, but almost all except the outer layer. In true English fashion I was uneasy about causing a fuss, but it was inedible. I notified the waiter who took it back. After a few minutes he came back without the faggots, saying 'Chef says the faggots have been cooked twice, and that is the natural colour of the meat. You can either have the faggots back or have something else'. We didn't have another 40 minutes to spare so asked for them back perhaps we could cut away the raw bit. When they came they had been reshaped, and when cut into the pinkness had gone. My son had to spit his first mouthful out as it was incandescently hot. Obviously blasted in the microwave.
Disappointed there wasn't a simple apology, which would have sufficed for me. I would accept that pink is the natural colour of pork, but not when it's cooked. Raw beef or tuna I can manage but I am unaware that raw pork is acceptable; I thought it was a health hazard.
£57 for for four mains isn't bad, however the defensive attitude made it an unpleasant experience and I won't be going back. read more