The Owl Hawnby — Hotel in Great Britain

Beautiful country pub in gorgeous setting on hillside. Very friendly welcome. Stayed as a couple with dog midweek. Rustic charming bar. Relaxed, few walkers in for tea/scones on our arrival. Our dog friendly room was one of 3 just 50 m away in a converted stone single storey outbuilding. Comfy super king bed, crisp white bed linen, and bathroom. Bath was nice, hot water and plenty of it. Husband said the shower was poor. Had pre booked for dinner at 8, only 3 rooms occupied on this night however and as such our dining reservation was clearly the last of the evening and just seated as another couple finishing. Had hoped to spend a nice couple of hours, ordered a bottle of wine and a different glass of wine for the starter. Didn't mind we had the dining room to ourselves, it was a birthday meal and had high expectations given the food reviews. Sadly, the experience wasn't what had hoped for. The starter was delicious, but felt was being watched from halfway through eating it in anticipation of the main being ready and waiting to be served. The plates were cleared with a swing of the kitchen door one way, and with the return swing was the arrival of the main. No time to enjoy a pause. The food wasn't hot, I had beetroot bourginon, it was ok, the hispi cabbage was a bit oily. The steak was excellent. It was a shame to just feel so rushed. That was a very expensive meal and a treat for us. Would have preferred to savor the experience and be offered fewer/earlier dining times to suit the chef if he wanted to cook for all the guests in a 90...

Sorry I wasn’t impressed. I had heard and read that the meals were very good. Yes they tasted nice but far too expensive and portions are very small for what you pay. Very limited menu. Bedroom nice but nosey. Staff seemed really depressed. No atmosphere I’m afraid. Nowhere to just chill no comfy chairs for residents just a bar and restaurant. Its menu in the bar is the same as in the restaurant at the same prices. No classic meals all very expensive meals I’m afraid. Need to do a different bar and restaurant menu. At different prices and up there portion sizes and put more sides on plate salads for what you pay you would expect all included but no. Do more sauces for the steak and put more options on menu especially restaurant. Needs change I’m afraid. Or people will only go once and you need regular customers up in middle of nowhere. If you have plenty of money might be what you like but I’m afraid not...

So disappointed in tonight’s meal. We both had monkfish which was tough and shockingly bad, no taste or seasoning. No chef skill displayed in the food tonight. The white bean and tomato stew which accompanied the ‘fish” was beyond bland. I can’t understand why the ‘chef’ thought it was acceptable to send out that dish. No flare, care or attention to either taste or presentation was present. Lucky potion was small. It was not a pleasure to eat, monkfish is my favourite fish, never had it that bad, tough or tasteless before at any restaurant. We have been supporting Sam since the beginning at Bantam in Helmsley. We are so saddened and perplexed to see this happen. We were informed that Sam had a day off today (Saturday night) he really needs to be in the kitchen as tonight’s food was not acceptable at all, especially at that price point. Sorry to say we won’t...