The Beef Club @ The Plough — Restaurant in Alnwick

DO NOT GO HERE. I’m really happy for the people who’ve had a great experience at this venue it certainly wasn’t ours.

Reception at the bar when telling them we had dinner reservations in the restaurant was cold at best. We were followed closely up the stairs by a member of staff - professional distance please. Then we were seated whilst they were setting tables for breakfast, there was no one else in the restaurant (that should have been a big clue).

We decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and figured ‘hey if we’re the only patrons we’ll be well looked after’.

We ordered wine and aperitifs, the wine was unceremoniously ‘plonked’ on the table. No tasting, no pouring - just get on with it… ok we did.

We actually ordered our meals, through a soundtrack of the kitchen staff shouting, cutlery being sorted and staff loudly making coffees - for no patrons???

In time our starters arrived, clam chowder (with zero clams) and salmon fish cakes - with added CLINGFILM, Yep that’s right folks these fish cakes have Clingfilm baked right in the middle of them!!!

We left. I can’t comment on the main course as we didn’t eat it. We paid for the wine and aperifs and left - the ‘manager’ made it seem like she was doing us a favour by not charging us for our starters….

Our waitresses were lovely but they won’t learn anything about good customer service working at this establishment.

Do yourselves a favour and go elsewhere. Di Sopra was amazing, great vibe as soon as you walk in the door, absolutely delicious food we’ve booked again for...

Wouldn’t go again , booked a table but they seemed oblivious and said I’ll see if we have space ???? Could only get Sunday lunch menu nothing else ???? Should at least have a choice of menus ??? I opted for sirloin Sunday lunch and it was more veg than anything else the meat was more fat than meat and the lack of gravy , especially on a Sunday lunch made it very dry , just awful , we did consider leaving when we first seen menu was just Sunday lunches but thought it would be a good lunch seen as it is advertised as a beef club ? Wish I had...

Higher expectations given this is meant to be the same owners as the Jolly Fisherman which is fantastic. The meal was over priced for the service and quality of food served. Staff need to be schooled in how to serve wine, what cutlery is required and to clean up after their spills. Scraps of bread with soup, rock hard butter. All 3 main meals were tepid warm at best. We elected not to continue with desserts and drinks. I wouldn't recommend and won't return to eat here for...