The Oystercatcher — Restaurant in Arun

An overall disappointing experience through and through. Signed up for the app before going so that we could book a table, and get discount vouchers etc. Signed into the WiFi at the venue, too - so by this point they had several ways (app, email, sms) of telling us “Sorry, we’re busy tonight - there’s going to be a wait of 40 to 45 minutes” but instead they waited until after we’d deliberated over the lack-lustre menu and made our choices. We’ve visited a few VintageInn restaurants in the last 8 months and this cut’n’paste menu, identical is so many pubs is really getting old and tired.

The “We’re busy tonight” also struck us as odd. Yes, we’d stood for 4 or 5 minutes, equidistant between the “Book for Christmas” display, the restaurant entrance and the bar without anyone greeting us until we asked at the bar. But, once we got led past the thin wall/layer of diners, the place was only at half capacity, hardly any covers at all.

Service was friendly, although the efficiency of asking us twice if we’d ordered, when we’d already given our order to the waitress was a little remiss. Especially as the 2nd “can I take your order?” was some 30 mins after our order. We’d have walked out if no-one had indeed taken our order for 30 mins.

Food arrived around 45 mins after ordering it - so was indeed on the verbally advised schedule.

The Sea bass was good, the signature burger was teenager-approved but unfortunately the Hunters Chicken Snitchzel was visibly dry on the melted top, and retained its dryness all the way through - tough going especially as there’s no vegetables included on this main.

Booking wise - the app offered “Dining room” or “Dog friendly” - we picked “Dining room” yet were surprised (first time) and then somewhat annoyed subsequently, to have our legs sniffed by unwanted canine company with no lead. This decided us on not staying for dessert. Waited 10 mins to attract someone’s attention to ask for the bill but ended up walking over to the serving station where the waiter waved us through saying “Thank you for coming, have a good evening …. “ (oh tempting, so tempting…) but we paid, of course:

It was raining heavily and dark of course, and external lighting simply wasn’t there or wasn’t working on the sides or rear of the building. I noticed there were lightbulbs on the wooden arch halfway around, but these had either failed or weren’t switched on. This made the uneven pathway risky to navigate. Things got worse still in the dark rear car park with deep, large puddles impossible to see to avoid.

Ok, we’re only here on holiday, this being the last night, so any comments of “we won’t be eating here again” are rather a moot point.

Ps: order a few dozen pens for the serving station - one couldn’t be found at all, even with a waiter and waitress joining in the search.

On a plus, the staff were friendly - during all the Christmas covers - and with Turkey and all the trimmings being almost impossible to get wrong… the staff can make or break...

I've been here twice in the last few months. The first time with my husband when restrictions meant we had to sit outside. The menu was very limited, however what we did have was delicious, friendly attentive staff and a really good experience. I returned with my mum and son for lunch on Wednesday just gone. Our specific waitress was very friendly. We were given 2 menus with 2 different dates and different meals. We asked for clarification but nobody seemed to know what menu we should be using. Thankfully what we ordered came out but the main courses took ages and people who arrived after us received their meals before us. This is fine, I don't mind waiting, but there was little communication and we would have picked something else if it we'd have known it would've caused delays. As mentioned above our specific waitress was great and appeared to be having a really hard time from another table, but she dealt with it really well, despite them quite clearly being vile to her. On the reverse of that, I tried to ask for some ketchup from another waitress (as ours was busy getting grief) and she just turned round and stuck her hand up at me and walked off. I will give the benefit of the doubt, as she was wearing a face mask which I appreciate makes it harder to communicate, however it was interpreted as rude and she didn't bother to come back and ask what I wanted. All in all, a good experience. Food is really nice, overall friendly staff but I would suggest that additional training be given to staff on how to communicate effectively when wearing face masks, as that did come across...

Nice table, although it was laid for 6,in spite of there only being 4 of us. Extra place settings and chairs not removed, so a bit odd! Chilly place to sit, as it turned out, as close to the window, and too far from fire to feel as cosy as might have been expected. Starters ordered: salt and pepper Squid x 3 and one pate. Overall, starters too large and overwhelming. Too much batter on the Squid- couldn't taste the Squid. Boring flavour to wade thru. Uninspired presentation. Just on a boring, beige, large round plate with a pot of yellow dip and a slice of lemon. Disappointing.

Main courses: pork chop: fine. Chicken skewer with feta salad: tasty but far too much chicken, especially after the size of the starter. Didn't need the beetroot wrap. Duck and hoisin pizza: interesting idea but delivery too weird! Strange combination of over sweet sauce on anaemic flat bread base topped with crispy duck and cheese. Most of the 2 that were ordered on my table were left. Service OK, although distinct lack of ability or empathy about how to deal with disappointed customers. No offer or any kind of effort to recompense and encourage a repeat visit to help us feel better about the Oystercatcher. So as a result, you won't be seeing us again, despite the location and decor/ambience...