The Old Auctioneer — Restaurant in Cherwell District

OK, so this a completely unjust 1* but let me explain...

I visited on Monday 5th June 2023.

This place is nice and big inside and well styled. The food is really good and the prices are reasonable. Not expensive but not too cheap. Its fair. The portions are also very good.

The staff were also really nice. I teased the small blonde waitress about her green hawain shirt and she was really nice and funny and a great laugh. A really pleasant girl. The girl on the bar was also really lovely with the London accent. It didn't feel like good customer service, it just felt like they were really nice genuine people and good customer service was the end result.

However...

The Eastern European girl with the pink shirt on tonight was the single most rudest person I've ever met on service in my entire life. Let me put this into context, I'm 34 years old and I travel up and down the country for work regularly, I've had my fair share of poor service let me tell you over the years but she was by far the worst.

If I lived in Banbury, it wouldn't matter how nice your food was, service, your prices or even how many nice staff you have. I would NOT return to your establishment because of her. One bad apple really does spoil it all.

She was rude, disdainful and very, very unpleasant.

Why employ someone like that? Why even work in customer service if you have ZERO customer or people skills.

Let me tell you, when you employ someone like that who looks and speaks to customers like she does, she WILL cost you money because people will simply not return.

I asked the security guard for her name as i left as I was going to make a formal complaint but he didn't know it unfortunatley.

So yes 1*... as I left feeling really disappointed and actually angry at the way she spoke to me. A very unpleasant individual.

A shame as she totally spoils your venue. To the rest if the staff, i apologise, you...

We visited on a Sunday afternoon. 3 Adults. 1 toddler and 1 baby.

We sat outside, we really liked the decor and atmosphere. Can imagine the place really comes to life at night.

Staff were attentive and friendly. We were sadly asked if we were ready to order very quickly and very often. We had at least three different servers ask us to order in the space of 2-4mins. It's hard to settle the kids and read the menu that quickly.

We loved the chicken wings but must have a good moan. The sides/starters were extremely disappointing. Specifically, the Dirty Fries from the menu, they came to us cold. Some of the cheese hadn't even begun to melt, and some was melted about 10 minutes before we were served. The fries were not luke warm, they were cold, it was really annoying, especially considering the dish they were held in was red hot to touch.

Additionally, the Halloumi Fries were bland, and the 'Homemade Sauce' was so obviously watered down sauce from their 'Sweet and Sticky' wings we felt like we were being made fools of.

We did complain and the server even admitted the sauce that is served with the Halloumi Fries was 'more liquid than sauce' but the kids were so hungry we couldn't wait for a replacement, and because we ate them, we couldn't justify asking for a discount.

The wings are clearly being used by the kitchen as a crutch by which the sides lean on to prevent upsetting people.

If we return, we will be sure to avoid the sides.

That said, beautiful building and great wings.

Update: We returned in October 23, avoided the sides and ordered the Gunpower Chicken and Wings. Amazingly good, enjoyed every bite. Gunpowder chicken is WELL...

3rd Visit for my birthday this time and was really disappointed. We had to wait 10 mins and have 5 staff members pass us by as we stood at the bar before being asked "You ok?" and thrn was directed to a hut to check in for our reservation. To his credit this gentleman was very helpful and reseated us from outside to an inside table. Our waitress was lacking enthusiasm and unengaging. The kilo of 'famous wings' were cold in places ( approximatly 6 in the centre of the pile) when we mentioned to the waitress she said "well I can take them back to the kitchen but it closes in 10 mins, I'm just about to get your mains so it will come whilst your still eating!" As it seemed to much bother for her we didn't feel we could send them back. As promised our food arrived 5 mins later and was put down as we were still finding the warm wings to eat! It was 9pm at this point and the staff were busy clearing tables and getting ready for the next day. We felt as if they were trying to rush us along, we were not asked if our mains were "ok!" £8 odd service charge added to the bill. I'd usually still leave a cash tip, but I didn't feel they deserved the £8!! There was no aknowlwdgement that we were there for a birthday. Although the burgers were good( I had chicken schnitzel burger) the wings are definatly overpriced and cut down to make smaller portions. Toilets are in great need of refurbishment. Overall not the experience it's reputation leads you to believe. I gave it a 2nd chance last time but now I won't be reccomending it as a place to go when...