The Snipe — Restaurant in Ashfield

So, this review covers a few orders at The Snipe in Sutton in Ashfield, some of which went well - one of which did not! I have to preface this by stating that I love what they've done with the place, especially the interior and the staff are extremely attentive and friendly. What could possibly be my reason then, for a two-star review? Seems a bit mean, doesn't it? Read on to find out.

So on Friday 2nd of July myself and my partner ate at The Snipe a couple of times (order IDs of 163940103 and also 166154215). This visit went really well and both myself and my girlfriend commented to each other that we thought the food was good, reasonably priced and staff had gone out of their way to accommodate us.

On Saturday 10th of July, we thought the place was so good that we took the whole family in (including the kids and my parents). This was in relation to order ID 181881443.

Again the food was solid, well-priced and the staff were attentive. After visiting The Snipe we also went to Rufford Abbey nearby, minus one of the kids who wanted to see friends.

By Saturday evening, all of us were feeling incredibly nauseous. By midday on Sunday, I was very sick and unwell. I was vomiting a lot and also had diarrhea and we were trying to piece together, what could have gone on across the past day or so?

I wondered if it had been something we ate at Rufford, but since the child who didn't go to Rufford was also ill... that ruled out the food there (besides, we only really had ice cream at Rufford which is pretty hard to get food poisoning from!)

Could it then, have been one of the take-outs or meals we made ourselves since we got home from The Snipe? I called my parents and they had been really sick as well. They hadn't eaten with us after The Snipe, which leads me to believe that food from The Snipe prepared on Sat 10th of July 2021, poisoned my whole family.

Now, obviously there are a lot of moving parts here and I could possibly be wrong, but I really don't think I am. After talking to my partner, the kids and my parents it really does seem as if this was the origin of the food poisoning. It was so bad that most of us couldn't even keep down water. Some of us suffered the effects earlier and some later, so due to that we were able to look after each other and hospital wasn't needed.

After this you might be asking, wow why even give two stars out of five!? But the fact is I did place two orders which went well. I do think Greene King has spent some money on the place (or those operating on behalf of GK have). The staff are really friendly and accommodating, they didn't seem like the kinds of people who would poison people on purpose (in-fact, I think they're a pretty great bunch!)

Be that as it may, with a whole family going down to food poisoning... I just can't rate higher than this. I hope that people understand I'm not trying to be a wind-up. In the end, I felt I had a duty to post something in-case anyone else on the day had suffered...

We called in for a family meal to celebrate my Sons GCSE results. The place was fairly quiet so we got a table straight away. The staff serving tables were friendly and helpful. We went to the bar to order food and drinks. The barman couldn't have been less interested. Almost sighing after every item was ordered. I asked if I ordered ice cream with the kids meal, or if I order it afterwards. He was quite sharp with his reply. You order it now. Fair enough, I didn't know so asked a simple question. I then ordered 2 pints of cider and a Lager. One of the ciders was for my son, who is 16 and was having a meal. I pointed this out and was told quite sharply no he has to be 18, I questioned this but was told their policy is 18. Fair enough, I didn't argue, I already knew I was on to a loser with this member of staff. Had we not have been very hungry I would have walked out purely on his attitude. If you dont like serving the public, dont get a public facing job, like a barman. Went back to our table and had decent service and good food from then on. This member of staff clearly didn't want to be there, and potentially could have spoiled our evening just by his attitude. The rest of the staff couldn't do enough and were a credit to the place. I used to visit the Snipe quite often, but haven't been for a few years. It may be a while before we return. Can't be doing with awkward staff. Shame really as the food was...

It must be at least over 17 years since I last visited this place. It was badly run down and was a bit too rowdy for us. Then we moved away anyway so never went back. Since moving back close enough to visit, thought we would try again as it had been such a long time, this time with our children (older teen and a wanna be teen). They have changed and updated the layout so that the doors are pulled across separating the dining area from the main pub which was great as we could eat and chat without having to compete with music and enthusiastic groups drinking in the main bar. We were looked after by Tracy who was amazing and couldn't do enough for us. She brought our food out with perfect timing as we had chance to chat and enjoy a drink before eating. The menu was marvellous, so much choice. We have visited other pubs at around the same time (8pm) and a number of the dishes had been taken off the menu leaving not much choice. Here, there was ample to decide from. The quantity and quality of the food was wonderful. So many places are increasing their prices but lacking in the quality and reducing the quantity. At the Snipe you pay a reasonable amount and get excellent portions that would be plentiful for most. Will certainly be visiting again. Please thank Tracy for the wonderful service she...