Le ROC of Southwold — Restaurant in East Suffolk

Rarely do review anywhere negatively but this is something that has to be written to help other potential customers. Lunch at 1.30 in busy little eatery with big expectations as menu is promising.

Reality: Cold inhospitable atmosphere where the two lovely ladies serving were so rushed off their feet that feeding the smouldering log burner just wasn't possible.

Menu: looks good but my Rib Eye steak, although not expensive, was inedible gristle cooked badly.

Result: 45 minutes and £40 sat in the cold to eat 2 starters and 1 main and one of us to go home in need of a meal!

Observation: The two ladies working were both lovely but run ragged. None of this was their fault!

Tip to proprietor: We are prepared to pay good money for good food, service and atmosphere but if you cannot or will not provide that, do not then don't advertise it if you are not prepared to put the resources in to deliver! Our second home is here and we strongly support local enterprise we would use the place often. Why not invest in that? I lost a decent lunch, you have lost significant repeat business particularly...

Overall disappointing, reserved a table for special occasion, spoke to a young female when she took the reservation in person, we spoke about how it was a for a retirement party and were looking forward to coming, we booked a large table. When the evening came we were so hungry and excited however it wasn't until we had ordered drinks (at £12 plus per beer) and had eaten the Entree, we then asked for the main menu we found out that the main meals were not served in the evening, as they do not have a cook! It fails to amaze me why this information was not communicated at the time of making the reservation, and seems very sneaky that they waited until we had ordered to inform us. Not only was this bad but we had actually paid for a taxi (at £70) to go that evening We left so disappointed, would...

Staff are outstanding, friendly, knowledgeable and put people at ease. Happy to adapt to cover allergies, which in this case wad soya and black pepper.

Between three of us, a prawn cocktail, cravettes with garlic butter, and a sour dough basket - all very good.

Mains baby gem, croutons parnesan and anchovy dressing, lobster tail garlic butter frittes and a fresh crab tart and coleslaw salad.

Deserts white chocolate and vanilla baked cheesecake, mixed berry sundae, the latter was outstanding.

Reasonable pricing. We would be very happy to return and have...