The Barley Mow — Restaurant in Chichester

Horrible experience..! The owner is horrible.. She doesn't know how to behave to her customers...!

We visited this pub after visiting the Lordington Lavender farm. We booked 2 table over the phone and when we turned up, the pub owner was very rude and instructing us how to use mask (we all had masks), how children should behave and where to sit. She was instructing like "your children should not move" etc as if we are not used to restaurant etiqutte..! She then offered us two table (2 families), but one was positioned in bright sunlight with soaring temperature of 29 degrees today. We requested for a table with parasol umbrella and she was again rude saying all the tables are booked out and we should be grateful that we got a table. The reality was that none of the 3 tables next to us had any customers until we left. I would have walked off, but the kids were very hungry. She left us to sit in the heavy sunshine and didn't even offer a parasol. Even though she lectured us on how to use the mask etc, her staff didnt clean the table that was offered to us. I had to ask her to clean it. ( all the adults in our family works for the NHS and we know how important it is..! NHS workers and infection control.. its our daily routine) Such a rude behaviour..! Sounds like this is the norm here. There were few gentlemen who were sat nearby who said they always get such treatment from her and one of them even suggested us to go to a nearby pub.

I have to say the food is nice.

Something we remembered after we left: the kids menu had ice creams with it, but we weren't offered that either. We forgot to ask and remembered only after we left the pub. Such a horrible experience. We have travelled lengths and breadth of this country from down south, to Scotland in north, Wales and to the east. But never experienced something like this. If i make an effort to write this, then you can imagine how upset we are as a family with such treatment.

Avoid going...

We had pre-booked a table for the family on Mother's Day. When we booked on the phone we were told we COULD pre-order if we wanted to. This was definately framed as optional NOT a requirement. When we arrived we were greeted by a very rude, aggressive person who told us that as we had not pre-ordered (despite having booked a table) they would "do their best to accommodate us". I am surprised that if it was that important to pre-order that no-one called to confirm. This person asked us repeatedly when the rest of our party would arrive, they were 8 minutes late and we were easily finished 30 mins before we needed to vacate the table. We asked for water for the table, the same person then told us that they would only provide glasses for people who were "definately going to actually drink water" because they would run out of glasses. This person has clearly never had any customer service training, they were aggressive, rude and clearly extremely stressed. They ran around the restaurant talking at customers in a raised voice and generally making a vary nasty atmosphere. I understand that it was probably a busier day for them but if you can't handle 120 covers for lunch then don't book in that many. They completely ruined what was otherwise a very pleasant family lunch. The food was good and the serving staff were lovely and clearly mortified by the behaviour of this person. It comes to something when the teenage staff are embarrassed by the managers poor service. Overall I would say if you can go for a meal there when this person is not there it might be worth a shot, otherwise I...

Lovely Country pub with stone floors and wooden beams and beer garden by a sadly currently dried up River Ems (stream). Very welcoming land lady behind the bar. Menu above basic pub fayre with excellent quality sourcing eg Wagu & Venison Burgers and fresh fish specials. Chef even delivers to your table in person if not too busy. Food 10/10 also amazing selection of ice creams and sorbets in this hot weather. Real Ales including Dark Star Hophead which Fullers sadly bought out but have seemed now to sell on to a Japanese firm. Interior has changed since my last visit some years ago and the enormous willow tree in the car park has sadly been reduced probably due to H&S but is amazingly still growing as a Coppice. Loos very modern and clean too. Lots of Edwardian local photos on the walls which adds to pubs sense of history. Also Covid handwash in place too which is great given further outbreaks of late. If I had one tiny criticism its that when they come to refurb again they consider changing the small fake wood tables with real ones as it will add to its rustic charm. Yet this did not detract for a wonderful evening and amazing quality food. Full Marks we will be going back and telling our friends. Above all was the exceptional and friendly service …the chef and the bar manager / landlady really make this pub with their friendly welcome and first rate service. Thankyou so much for a...