The Imperial Homestead — Restaurant in York

Why this rating? Where do we begin, my wife and I decided to visit York this long weekend as we found online that there was a Market on, plus Antiques and Collectables Fair plus an Art Open Studio. So off we went, we called the Imperial Hotel before leaving Perth to book a lunch and maybe a room. Once we arrived we went through to the front bar area and waited 10 minutes before the young lass even saw us, asking to see the room before we said yes, we were told that she would 'just serve these two customers, then, be with us' another 10minutes later and she was still serving new arriving customers. No eye contact or a look or a 'sorry'....nothing. Finally, the next customer who had seen that we were waiting, asked her to serve us first. By this time one of the owners overheard our conversation and told us they were busy and she would take us to see the room. Again, no sorry for your wait....nothing. We decided to take the room and asked to book for dinner at about 7PM, given a choice of bar seating, or bistro style in the front bar despite there being a rather nice dining room with an open fire but we were told this was booked out. It wasnt any more than half full at any time we walked past the room. After a very pleasant afternoon walking around York (about 3:30pm) we asked if we could bring our dinner reseravtion forward and were told that any time after 5:30 was fine, just go and order. We were peckish so headed for the bar and were told the kitchen was shut. Disappointing. So went down the road to Settlers and enjoyed a snack there before returing to the Imperial just after 5:30 for dinner to be given a poky table right in a walkway and left to our own devices, no menu, no eye contact no customer service despite at least 5 staff milling around. I finally went and collected a menu from the bar only to be told that several items were not available, this delivered with zero care factor as we were fast coming to expect from this place. After about 10 minutes we left and went back to Settlers Inn for our meal. Was not prepared to take the risk on the imperial's food with their track record thus far. Now the re-decoration of the building was very pretty but only on the surface. The room was very small and opened directly onto the beer garden, not good. If the green scren hasnt grown up enough put something else in. Every time we opened the door everyone could see inside....and did. The tapware in the ensuite was loose on the basin and dont let your partner flush the toilet when you're in the shower as you WILL be SCALDED with HOT water. The kettle was falling apart and even though we asked when the live music ended that evening and were told 5pm, they neglected to let us know that there were speakers right outside our door which played music until 10ish. There was no notice stating the wifi address and no breakfast available. When leaving at 8am the next morning, we had to wait until 8.45 when the same owner arrived onsite. Everything else was locked up tight, with no one around. We often travel and stay in country pubs/hotels across WA , and this is probably the worst we've ever come across based on their "don't give a s#$%t attitude to customers. York is a wonderful historic town and I can't help but feel that this establishment lets town down

The best part of our trip to York?...

Wow what a shambles! Went for dinner booked at 6pm and ordered approx 6.15-6.20pm. Didn’t get out food until 7.20pm! A sign was put up about 15 minutes after we ordered stating a 45min wait for food....many many things unavailable, fair enough they had been busy....But approx 30-40mins later -after ordering a young lady came out to our table and told us the popcorn chicken was now not available, much to my 7 year olds horror. Waiting 40mins already and not getting what he ordered was a bit crazy but ok, he didn’t like alternatives so just had chips we lost $3 in that transaction as the kids meal was $12 and the chips just $9, didn’t complain again they are busy....We then get the two kids meal one chips and what is pictured. It was meant to be two sliders.... (one was being eaten as you know we are all starving as it’s been 50mins by now.) We were told when placing them on the table they ran out of buns..sorry... ohhh k.... then we wait for about 10-15 more minutes and one curry comes out and the fish and chips and the pork belly. Fish and chip was HUGE two massive bits of fish, my son said it was ok, I had pork belly also ok. 5 mins later my dads curry arrives so my dad and husband both have the curry of the day. I’m sorry but it was just awful, both went back to the kitchen pretty much uneaten! $64 worth of curry uneaten and returned. When the lady took the plates she asked how it was and my mum said horrible and then my husband went to the bar as we left to talk to the manager and when he told her she said no ones complained about it so it’s fine and was VERY rude to him! Both the currys went back hardly touched and they can see that. So all in all was a horrendous night! We appreciate your busy but your happy to take our money but not provide decent food. Will not return anytime soon. Would not recommend visiting during peak long weekends, if you do pack snacks and hold on for a long wait... oh and while I’m here the chairs are cold metal hard chairs and your butt will burn in pain after 20 mins so enjoy that while you wait over a hour for your food :) Giving one star because some of the staff were lovely especially the poor guy having to bring...

Had dinner here after looking at the menu online and our B+B hosts informed us The Imperial is the best restaurant in town. When we arrived, we were told the downstairs is full - although it didn’t look it at 6:15 pm - so the lady behind the bar said we could sit upstairs by the fireplace. Sounded cozy. It wasn’t. It was a cold room with stark white walls, fluorescent lighting, no music, no decor and no atmosphere at all. It was awful. We actually wanted to eat and leave. The food. Only 2 of the 5 vegetarian dishes advertised online were available. That’s fine, it’s a small town. Being vegan/vegetarian, we have to compromise in rural places and can deal with it. We went for the saffron risotto with seasonal veggies including mushrooms, asparagus and fruit pickle at a huge $32.50 each. I don’t like cheese so had mine without but my husband had cheese. When it arrived, we were surprised! It’s fried rice! No mushrooms though and speckles of something resembling pickle. My husband’s dish had a few tiny slices of Parmesan on top. It was dry, tasted just like fried rice and wasn’t nearly as big a portion as the meals being served to others. We felt ripped off! Upon leaving we found more atmosphere downstairs where the locals seemed to be. We weren’t given any option of sitting anywhere other than the overflow upstairs. Overall we had a negative experience here. The food is very underwhelming and overpriced. The hotel is a beautiful building that seems to have had a lot of work put into it but it’s needs decorating to create warmth and an inviting ambiance and a good team of chefs/cooks to create a better menu that is worth the money. As it is now, I wouldn’t come...