Riverside — Restaurant in East Staffordshire

Would give 0 stars if possible. RUDE & NOT DOG FRIENDLY, AVOID!!

Tried to eat here twice. First time tried to book a table but told not allowed to book one in the dog friendly area as that is the bar area. That I had to just turn up and hope for a table if I was bringing my dog which I was. So we booked somewhere else.

A couple of weeks later we were in the area after a dog walk around Barton marina and decided to try and eat here for a second time. We found a table in the bar area and went to order food.

A blonde female employee who seemed to be a supervisor/ manager asked if I was waiting to order, I replied yes. She then turned to two women who had just arrived at the bar (after myself) and said come this way ladies I will take for yours at another till. She hadn’t been previously or already dealing with them, just saw they were waiting at the same time as myself. I found this incredibly rude, and wondered what made these women have priority over me in the queue, and there was no explanation given or an apology.

When I finally was served by a different employee I was told I could not order food in the bar area. Apparently the restaurant was full and when it is they don’t serve food in the bar area. I politely questioned how a dog owner with their companion is actually able to eat food in their pub, explaining what I had recently been told over the phone regarding not being able to book a table in advance. I was then told that if you have a dog you can book a table and ask for it in the dog friendly area. Apparently they will then block out the table in the restaurant but you eat in the bar area. I explained I was told I could not do this before, they had no answer. That was it wasn’t allowed to eat, no logical explanation of the conflicting rules given, no offer to accommodate us at all. We had a hungry 3 year old and they just didn’t care. Apparently our money isn’t good enough for them so we had to leave.

When leaving we saw that the restaurant wasn’t even half full which added to our frustration. They really were not busy at all. We ended up visiting the Blacksmiths arms. Who reserved an available table in their bar area straight away for us. Upon arrival drastically different customer service. Far friendlier, we felt welcome there, they gave our little terrier some water and were downright lovely. So my advice is avoid the Riverside if you are a dog owner and go to other much friendlier pubs such as the...

I had the great pleasure of photographing Liam and Jess at the Riverside Hotel in June 2013. As a wedding venue the Riverside has a number of things going for it. It has a very beautiful riverside setting. The hotel is on a bend in the river and there are good views over fields and greenery. The trees and the bridge make it an attractive place to take photographs.

However, on closer inspection it could all do with a bit of love and attention. The bridge is overgrown with nettles and the small pagoda leans awkwardly to one side. It just needs a bit of time spent keeping it in trim.

I was lucky enough to be able to stay over at the hotel rather than driving back to the south coast at silly o'clock. The rooms are functional at best I would say. The bathrooms are very cramped. I did not see the bridal suite (if there is one) but I would hope it is rather more luxurious than the room I stayed in. A particularly annoying problem is the sound of the pipes every time someone turns on a tap. It's ridiculously loud! The windows are meshed off to stop multitudes of flying insects getting in and consequently the room is really hot. What with the taps turning on and off, it was difficult to get a good night's sleep.

The food was a mixed bag. I initially ordered a chicken dish but had to return it as the chicken had clearly been heated up in the microwave and was tough as old boots. However, I was recommended to try the fajitas and they were absolutely lovely. The chicken was freshly cooked and the vegetables too. From hell to heaven in 5 minutes.

The staff certainly treated us well and the rooms used for the ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception were perfectly adequate. The ceremony room was very nicely wood-panelled and felt warm with lots of light flooding in.

My only other tiny gripe was that my personal belongings were removed from my room and stored downstairs without my knowledge. Granted I was late getting back and they may well have needed the room, but I had told staff that might be the case and they did not seem to think it would be a problem. I wouldn't have minded so much if I had been warned, but it was a little disconcerting that some staff member had packed my bag and removed it from the room.

I would be happy to shoot another wedding here but I wouldn't come here for a...

The Riverside talks the talk & promises the world but doesn't deliver the service! Its a glorified pub with a lovely outlook in the middle of a housing estate with a main train line running past! & its understaffed!! Rooms are small & basic & could be cleaner . If you have any issue there is always a reason why its not their fault. The food is nice but the service is dreadfully slow. There wer'nt any tables laid for us for breakfast so were waited for 10mins while they sorted them & then endured very slow & at times unwilling service!! When we returned to our rooms an hour later with 10mins left to vacate them for 11o'clock departure our cards to our 3 rooms wouldn't work!! & NO reception the cards weren't faulty . They had worked perfectly until 9.45a.m. They had been cancelled early! It sadens me that you isulted my inteligence with yet another excuse. The cleaning staff let us in & my daughter & son in law ended up packing their cloths away properly in the car park.& I had to return later for a medical bag & flowers which in the rush to vacate were missed. Certain members of staff seem unaware that the customer is actually funding their wages & Riverside should be very grateful for the few members of staff who really do try to give the service that they advertise! Also a certain male member of staff should stop & clean up when his dog piddles up a seat in the bar as its taken out for excersise!! & yes sir you were aware!! We watched you ignore it!! Basically. You could & should do better & being busy is no excuse. Its your job to provide the service with a smile. Its your job to ensure that all rooms are cleaned properly! Its your job see that any special requests are logged onto your booking system!! Its your job to see enough tables are laid up for all your guests staying in your accommodation & most importantly Its your job to smile sweetly and provide the service your guests are paying for & have the right to expect!! Don't you know . The customer no matter how annoying is paying you for your service and therefore is ALWAYS RIGHT. I'd advise anyone considering booking in at Riverside to think very carefully & make sure you put in writing or log onto their system anything you...