Junction — Restaurant in Ashfield

We visited tonight as a family of 4 for my husband's birthday (staff didn't know this as my husband doesn't like a fuss.) The last time we came here was around 9 years ago and we thought it was a lovely place. However, after tonight's visit, it's clear that the place is in some desperate need of TLC.

⚠️The waitress we had was pleasant enough although the rest of the staff behind the bar gave us an unwelcome glare, unless they were just shocked at seeing some customers as there was only 1 other couple there.

⚠️Instantly, my eyes focused on how grubby this supposedly 'up-market' place was. The tables had dirty ring stains, the menu's were filthy, the carpets and furniture were tattered and threadbared. There was dust and cobwebs on lights and picture frames.

⚠️Cutlery was dirty and mismatched. There was no attention to detail. The salt and vinger pots looked like they belonged in a greasy-spoon cafe.

⚠️The toilets weren't clean and extremely dated (screaming early 90s style). The lino was coming away from the wall too. Cheap toilet paper and hand soap (shop bought soap as there was none in the dispenser). The hand dryer blew out cold air.

⚠️The atmosphere..... well, there just weren't any. There was no ambient lighting, it was all very bright which just made me concentrate on the dirt even more. The music playing was totally inappropriate, playing songs like 'Tubthumping' which contains bad language. Not that my 7 year old paid any attention but I thought we were in a family restaurant, not the Nag's Head.

The food itself was tasty and nicely presented. My husband and I ordered the red Thai curry, my 14 year old had lasagne and 7 year old had pasta bolognese. Good sized portions too. We had a side of (I can't remember if they were double or triple cooked) chips but they were way over cooked to my liking. The dessert menu was poor with only very sweet puddings on offer, such as chocolate cake, brownie, treacle sponge and cornflake tart, 3 of us couldn't finish dessert.

⚠️Also, a customer came in with a dog which I wasn't happy about. He only stood in the bar area but still the restaurant side which I didn't agree with at all. I have no issue with people bringing dogs to pubs, but please, not in the restaurant side. The dog was snarling and growling too, I wasn't sure if it was at another dog or a person as I could only see the bull breed, however, it put my youngest on edge when she heard it.

It's such a shame because it could become a great place with some attention.... or better yet, a whole revamp. Needless to say, unless that happens, we won't be visiting again. I wish I had read the reviews sooner as I've just read that someone had food poisoning from...

On arrival we were shown to a table and given a few minutes, then asked if we wanted drinks. I ordered a pint of Moretti, my wife asked for a glass of cabernet sauvignon , at which point the waitress asked what is that? We explained it was a red wine. Our drinks were brought. We ordered a southern fried chicken strip starter to share, as we don't have a large appetite. We also ordered our main courses. We were told there might be a wait as the kitchen was busy. The starter finally arrived an hour later! 2 chicken goujons on a bit of salad, an hour? We ordered more drinks with a different server, the same again, to be told that they don't stock cabernet sauvignon? And we had been served merlot without asking. Admittedly the wine was nice, but not what we ordered. The main courses arrived shortly after. My wife had blade of beef which was oddly presented as shredded beef, formed into a disc on a bed of mash. On tasting, she said the beef was ok but the vegetables were massively overcooked, the mash was gloopy, like reconstituted mash and the whole thing was drowned in about a pint of over reduced intense sauce, which overpowered any other taste. Mine was the beef lasagna. Which according to the menu was served with garlic bread and salad, with the option of adding fries for an extra £1. I wasn't asked, and I got no garlic bread but a wire basket of seasoned fries. On trying mine, I found the lasagna, despite looking good tasted of absolutely nothing. An impressive feat, all those ingredients and no flavour of any sort. The fries were sprinkled with paprika but were chewy undercooked and barely warm. We had member of staff return to ask how the meals were. The ones we had pushed to one side as we did not want to eat them. After several apologies and excuses about new staff not knowing what they were doing, not valid in my opinion, as that's a management failure, they should make sure staff know the product availability and to inform customers if they need to make another choice. we were given a refund on the food, but paid for the drinks. Needless to say, we will not be returning and cannot recommend anyone else visits. We have left an email address to be kept informed of any improvement from head office after our complaints as we were so unhappy...

I went to The Junction as they had a Handmade craft fair there today. It's a really lovely pub/restaurant. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. It is a large place with ample parking. Disabled parking spaces are available. It is wheelchair and pram/buggy friendly both outside and inside. There are plenty of windows all around, making it light inside. It's great as it's also a dog friendly place. The landlord/landlady is/are having work done to the premises to make it look better. The rooms are clean and so are the toilets which are good to see. There is an outdoor space, but I haven't seen it, so I can't comment on it. There are several events being held at The Junction now, which will offer customers a variety of different options. The events will really enhance the area and should encourage existing and new customers to go there. I'm sure people will find this pub/restaurant a positive place to go. This would be a great place to have a bike meet, especially in the summer due to the large parking area. The location is good as it is just off the A38 and A60 for bikers going out for a ride. The menu is very diverse and offers meals to suit vegetarians as well. The food is great! It's really good quality and very tasty 'homemade' meals. I highly recommend people to go and try the food there. Having had a 'BLT' for breakfast and a Sunday dinner in the early evening, I can say the food is brilliant. It was really well cooked. No corners were cut to provide a healthy, balanced meal. The portions were fantastic value for money. Ash, I wish you luck on your fundraising event, and I hope the landlady's fundraising event goes well, too. Will I go there again? Yes, definitely. I will recommend this place to my family and friends too. Great value for money. Some of their menu is on their...