We have visited the pub a few times, not because of it's atmosphere or the indifferent attitude of the staff, but found the food to be of good value. (2 meals for £8). trying to get served at the bar was a problem, nobody there behind the bar, either they were in the kitchen having a joke or chatting or collecting glasses etc, but would totally ignore you, found this was common amongst many customers who were trying to buy a drink, same with trying to order a meal, staff would walk past the meal ordering section of the bar on their way in and out of the kitchen and again totally ignore you. You feel like you are intruding, such is the standard of service. Plus points are, generally the food is well cooked and a large selection of food on the menu, although waiting periods from order can vary, understandable if they are busy. Had mostly good food expect yesterday, I ordered fish and chips, normally a good size portion of fish, yesterday I was received a small curled piece of batter, looked rather like a battered scorpion with a curled up tail, Cut it in half just to make sure, dry fish meat, looked like it had spent some time in the warmer and then re- fried. it must have been the smallest fillet of fish I have ever seen, as it was mostly batter, I would have got more fish in a fish finger. I took it back to the food order counter and showed the girl, she offered me another meal, but I didn't fancy waiting another 20 minutes, plus my wife had already started her meal, (Chicken Tikka) which incidentally was OK, the girl then offered a free dessert. didn't really fancy a dessert either, but she said she would pass my comments on to the kitchen staff. No refund of my meal was offered. 15 minutes later no one came back to apologise or explain so we decided to leave.
Ironically, we were only discussing with some friends on a day trip we were on that day, about how we were looking forward to our meal out. They asked where we were going, when we replied the 'Spinney Hill', they said they had never visited the place, been warned it was not very good, although it used to be. We said, so far our meals had been good, how wrong we were. Shame really, can see it might fall victim to closure if it doesn't improve the service, same as a lot of other local pubs in the area, closed and boarded up. Don't think we will bother going again. Mind you I did give my views to the owners 'Punch Taverns', whether I will get a reply is another matter? read more