The Countryman Pub and Dining — Restaurant in Ashfield

Very entertaining! We had two different waiters. The first one took our drink order and then disappeared before we had a chance to place the food order. The drinks then took ages to arrive because he went off into a different room to clear empty tables. He then re-emerged with our starters, at which point he picked up my girlfriend's phone off the table to make space for the food even though my girlfriend was at that moment reaching out to move it herself (it's a small point but I've never seen a waiter pick up the customer's property and move it in all of the restaurants, cafés, pubs etc I've ever been to!) When he cleared the empty starter plates away he managed to drop the bowl of chutney inside my girlfriend's handbag and then he reached into her handbag to try to retrieve it, again, just as my girlfriend was about to do the same. No harm done and we know he was only trying to be nice but, again, is it normal for a waiter to reach into a customer's handbag!? The mains arrived brought by a different waiter. A new waiter turned up at this point but never brought us any cutlery so we had to take some from a neighbouring table. They forgot the garlic bread we'd ordered because the original waiter who had taken our order had forgotten it but they did knock it off the bill which was a nice gesture. Nobody ever returned to our table to take payment so we ended up going over to the till, at which point our original waiter initially told us to go through to another room and pay at the bar, before taking payment himself. The food was lovely but everyone who served us seemed either distracted or unfamiliar with how a restaurant works. Realise they were doing their best but the experience has just put us off, particularly given that it wasn't...

Well I wish I could score the food separate to the service. As 5* food best steak we have had for a long time perfectly cooked you chefs obviously take pride in what they do.

On the other hand the the service did not match hence the three stars. We was taken to our table, and introduced to who would be looking after us for the night . We was asked if we would like drinks. So we said that we would like 5 minutes to decide what we was all wanting.

Around half an hour had passed, she had still not come back to us, and was very busy chatting with another waitress. After numerous times of trying to get her attention, I decided to go to the bar and order our drinks there. Once stood at the bar the gentleman who had originally greated us, (older gentleman dressed different to the others, I would believe the manager maybe). Turns around and in a not so friendly voice Said "it's table service " it's was not what he said, it was how he said it with a very abrupt and unwelcoming voice. After I explained we had been waiting over half an hour for our drinks order to be taken he's then said "as you can see we are busy somebody will be with you soon" the way he was talking to me was like I was child. I then sat back down and we at last had our drinks order taken, all though we still didn't get our drinks for nearly an hour from when originally seated, nor our food order taken.

Once the food was ordered it was very quick service and absolutely beautiful food.

We normally would stay for a few drinks after but decided to go up the road. Because after how I was treated at the bar, I still felt unwelcome and on edge.

We have mixed feeling about if we shall return, because the food was so good , yet the customers service let's...

The Countryman has benefitted hugely from it's smart new extension into the back of the car park....previously it could be quite dark and gloomy inside due to the low ceilings and the small windows. The new extension has made a huge difference letting in a lot of much needed light. The extended area can be divided from the main restaurant with smart, glass folding doors so will be great for party bookings.

The staff are friendly and extremely helpful

Internally, it's smart, clean and fresh with a turquoise and copper theme. They offer an a la carte and bar/snacks menu. In addition there are roasts (Beef, Pork, Lamb or turkey) on Sundays which come with a selection of piping hot, freshly cooked vegetables on the side..the most recent selection was roast parsnip, broccoli, carrots and peas, all of which were cooked perfectly. A small selection of lunchtime specials are available Monday to Friday from 11.30am – 5.00pm.

The a la carte menu offers a good range of steaks, combos. chicken,fish, pasta,salads and home made pies, plus favourites like sausage and mash and burgers - there is always plenty to choose from.

Despite the extension there's still plenty of car parking space and a lovely outdoor seating...