Firepit Restaurant at Cave — Restaurant in Borough of Swale

Food poisoning!

My partner and I stayed one night at the hotel for my partners birthday surprise (02/07/2024) we also ate at the Firepit restaurant. Our reservation at the restaurant was 19.00, at 20.00 after consuming the food I started to feel nauseous so we informed the staff and they kindly offered to deliver the food via room service. Our first dish was the scallops, we staff memeber told us that we only had one due to it being the last one. After trying some scallop, we reported the scallop had a very strong fishy smell to it and the texture seemed off- we stopped eating it and the staff member collect it. We received the food which certainly was not a “sharing” portion and appeared to be served as mushy baby food. Within a couple of hours I had signs and symptoms of food poisoning, following on from my symptoms, my partner experienced the same symptoms a few hours later which resulted in us both vomiting and the rest of it. As we checked out, we informed the staff for their own safety as the room was very unhygienic at this point- a staff member commented on my partner’s appearance stating he did not look well. We were asked to email reception regarding the possible food poisoning. Later on in the evening, I had to attend hospital following serious dehydration and I was diagnosed with food poisoning, after multiple tests I was told it was shellfish poisoning, which my partner and I had queried. I was admitted to hospital for a one night stay, symptoms lasting over one week.

After multiple emails, I was informed there was an investigation being launched. I got told a time estimate where I should receive the investigation outcome from the hotel, which I still have not received. After emailing multiple times requesting some form of compensation for the illness and the spoilt stay, I received ONE email stating I have already been told it’s under investigation- I have since emailed twice and received no reply- the staff have showed no sympathy or compassion.

If there was as an option for submitting a zero star review, then I...

It was my first time here. First impressions were fantastic. Atmosphere perfect and the welcoming feel you got was extra mile level of service from the team.

The prices are extortionate and not even excessive. This opinion from someone who is not afraid to spend money on treating myself. Infact Some prices were just plain ridiculous to be honest, but I appreciate it is targeted for a certain market as it is situated on a golf course that attracts alot of visitors from all over. A £16 bottle of wine normally would cost you £35 here. However I wanted to give it a go as a treat but this really is just a special occasion venue at best.

The food and presentation in general is super. The tastes perfectly complementing eachother however I would not reccomend the lamb dish. Being the most expensive it was rather disappointing. I would expect all the tastes of the dish to be coming through for the price, but the lamb itself was non exsistant. The times between dishes were unusually excessive. 40mins plus.

The service was faultless for us on this occasion. However I never like to see service charges just put on bills. I would also like to think and expect considering the prices here that the staff are paid well over minium wage per hour by the company itself. If not then it seems a little dishonest. Especially charging these prices then requesting that the customer also tops up their wages too.

I'm confident I would reccomend but only for special occasions and I would certainly make them aware that the prices are extortionate. Its important to pay more than normal to experience that little bit more but also feeling a satisfaction of value for money too. £500 on average for one night stay and dinner is far from reasonable for me for the location.

For these reasons I give a 3 star. The team work incredibly hard and very attentive. It is very much...

Had high expectations on reading the reviews and looking at the pictures. Location is good and set on the grounds of a hotel and golf course. The interior decor of the restaurant is very nice. It’s modern and well thought-out.

The meal however was disappointing. Service was very slow. We were told they offer tapas style dining but that only works when the dishes are brought out all together. We were given some bread to start, which was tasty and well presented. Then we waited around 30 minutes for the first of the dishes to come out: the skewered beef. After that we waited another 30 minutes for the next few dishes, then another age for the last. I ended up cancelling the rice dish as it hadn’t come out for over an hour. I didn’t want a bowl of rice at the end of the meal.

The food was all very well presented, but sadly it looked better than it tasted. The beef was overly chewy as was the duck. I’m not sure how duck ends up being chewy. The curried chicken was dry and needed more sauce. Sea bass was lacking in any taste.

As a guide they state you should order 6 meals (3pp) but the dishes were actually quite large so we could have done with 4.

The desert, however, a sticky toffee pudding, was very nice!

Lastly, it was very expensive. They want to offer tapas style dining but with dishes costing between £18-£60 it soon adds up.

I also noticed that being attached to a golf course meant there were groups of people in there who had clearly been playing golf and drinking all day. This meant it was very loud in there and ruined a lot of...