The British Oak — Restaurant in Birmingham

Really, really surprised at this place; has been great for years, and the new management have worked really hard to keep this place a great pub. However, I bought a double whiskey last night and payed handsomely for it (although, in no way were the prices overly expensive, I dont mean to mislead, whiskey is just expensive). Within a few minutes a bar person snatched the drink off the bar before I had chance to go and sit down; her fingers were in the whiskey, but I kept cool and explained that I had just bought it. I then sat down, and a glass collecter snatched the glass away for the second time (index finger in the glass again). I had to react quickly to save the drink. Next, my pal texted me and I was momentarily preoccupied; another glass collecter snatched the glass from right by my hand and walked away from me. I then chased the glass collecter over the bar room to recover my drink from a collecter that seemed surprised at my dismay upon having to do this, and disbelief that HIS FINNGER WAS ALSO IN MY WHISKEY GLASS ! I finally tried to relax, with my hand actually touching the damn whiskey glass, when a BAR MANAGER whisked my damn drink away for a fourth time with finger in the glass AGAIN !! I politely and objectively complained and the manager attempted a series of pathetic attempts to excuse fingering my glass..."it looks like water; you should guard the drink better.../...you shouldn't buy a drink that looks like another liquid (my fault, obviously...). "I'm sorry" He said, but it was [my] fault , not the staff's or [his] fault." Finally, I sought out the most senior manager and asked him what the Pub would do for me in the light of this. He said that it is more important for him to clear the bar and get me out into the street than to compensate me in any way. He then stormed out from behind the bar (all 5 foot nothing) and shaped like to usher me out of the pub. I explained that I was leaving anyway, despite his heroics. Utterly discusting treatment. Really vulgar, aggressive and selfish, unsympathetic response to repeated and ignorant behaviour. A complete failure to reason affectivel, or to act professionally.As stated, I am very surprised at these responses, but am saying it like it is. The two doormen looked embarrassed and showed a great deal of humility and sympathy for me, while the bar managers and staff behaved in a manner, far, far short of what is reasonable or acceptable. They are extremely lucky that I am not a short tempered type. Some would have exploded over such...

I went to the Oak on a fine summers day in the hope of finding a) ales and b) nourishment. I found the first, and at a good price and settled in the beer garden to await the arrival of the mighty 'Oak Burger'. I think that there are seminal moments in life and it quickly became clear this was one. The burger was horrendous. The substance which was supposed to be meat had the texture of oak bark, the smell of a decaying river vole and looked like chunder. I did not eat any of this, merely touched it with my tongue to see it was still living. I had to purchase some ulcer cream today to apply to said area. I can't continue to describe the rest of the burger (including chicken, bacon, cheese, onion rings, tomatoes) as there is not enough time for me to do it justice and I can feel the nausea welling up inside me and must head in the direction of the trap. To reassure you, I did leave the Oak in high spirits as had a couple of extra pints to wash down the only part I ate which was the bun and safe in the knowledge that all food experiences to come would be...

The pub had a family fun event that was quite fun for the kids initially, face painting was free and the lady was really nice.

The farm that they brought in for the event were pleasant and friendly.

This is where the fun stops really...

Food was luke warm when it was eventually served, we had to wait an hour and a half for it.

The kids portions really made no sense as one meal was small for a child and the other two would feed a soldier.

They messed up the sausages and gave the children really spicy pork sausages rather than the lamb ones that were ordered.

My meal was a complete mess and the woman serving it warned me it was going to fall over as soon as it was handed over.

It was salty and but it was palatable but the missus had some chicken connotation that was undercooked with a really odd tasting cheese sauce.

Aside from the not so awesome food the bar mats looked like they have never been washed... Literally layers of crust and mold on them.

Expensive food considering and expensive drinks.

Two stars really due to the hired help...