Antelope — Restaurant in England

I visited The Antelope a few weeks ago in February for a family meal which was amazing. We were seated at a lovely table in the bar area and the choice of wines by the glass was a pure delight as well as the food being stunning and great value. The wine side of things enticed me back for another visit today.

We chose a table in the bar area by the fire which I must say could have had a few logs thrown on here and there as it did die after half an hour of us being there. I fancied a glass of Sancerre which after my first visit in February and it not being available I thought I may be in luck this time. None available ‘again’ so I opted for a lovely Chablis. We did want to eat and upon asking if food was available all day we were informed that food was only available in the restaurant at the very back of the hotel. We didn’t want a sit down meal in the restaurant and after our recent visit last month, assumed we would be able to eat in the bar area once again.

After a while, a table next to us and a table behind us were served food in the bar area. I approached the staff and queried why I had been told we weren’t allowed to order food and yet there were other tables eating. I was informed that those customers had dogs with them and so were allowed to eat in the bar area. Everyone else has to eat in the restaurant. I’m sorry but I have never heard anything so ridiculous and we were actually quite shocked and taken aback. I even said to the staff and one of the customers who were eating next to us that I would go and borrow a dog so we could eat in the bar area. We left feeling hungry and very disappointed and with a loss of income to the company due to a very stupid rule of customers with dogs only being able to eat in the bar area.

Perhaps The Antelope should review its decisions on where customers can and can’t eat as it...

What could be a truly lovely place is so much less than the sum of it's parts. We visited for lunch and sat at a table but were unable to find a menu so asked a member of staff if we could have one and were asked to wait a moment. After realising she wasn't coming back we asked again and were told that menus were "in the restaurant area where you normally eat" and were directed to a back area that showed a sign stating that the restaurant opened at 5.30pm. Fortunately another member of staff was passing who we again asked where we could get food and were again told the restaurant, we pointed out that the sign said it was closed and were to it was wrong. During this time we encountered another two groups who wanted to order food and had been poorly directed. The food was acceptable but in no way warranted the delusions of grandeur as it was a bog standard Greene King menu. Compounding the poor experience was the fact food was being delivered to the table we first sat at as we were leaving. If you're tired of being asked the same question it might be an idea to be clearer in your replies and signage rather than unpleasant and ignorant.

Response from the owner 26 minutes ago Hi

I am sorry you were confused in navigating the building. The menus are kept at the restaurant host station rather then the bar so we can advise visitors of any food waits and items that may be off the menu. There is nothing wrong with eating in the bar, its just you need to collect menus from the restaurant. We appreciate all reviews, and appreciate you giving us the chance to improve by providing us with this feedback.

The owners reply is rather disappointing but is exactly what I should have expected. The ignorance shown in person was repeated and I'm apparently at fault for them not explaining clearly or updating their signs and outright...

There were four of us who booked a meal for 7:30pm on 2 June 2025. When booking online, I noted that two of the party were celebrating recent birthdays. We were looking forward to a special evening. Unfortunately, what we got was anything but.||When we arrived, the restaurant was closed. After some confusion, we were directed to a separate room away from the main area – it felt like we were being shoved out of the way. The person who claimed to be in charge was shockingly rude, dismissive, and completely lacking in basic customer care. Her attitude was arrogant, condescending, and frankly insulting.||When we politely asked about seating, she dismissed our request and showed no interest in making the evening even remotely pleasant. Eventually, we found a table ourselves. She later approached us with clear contempt, shoved a dilapidated chair between us (that we hadn’t moved) and barked that it should be there – as if we were somehow in the wrong.||The food? Awful. We all had pie – three beef and ale, one vegetarian – and none of it was edible. Dry, tasteless, and poorly presented. Plates were taken away half-full, yet no one asked if anything was wrong or if we were satisfied. Clearly, they didn’t care.||The same young woman, supposedly in charge, spent more time chatting with friends than checking on guests. Her attitude ruined what should have been a celebratory evening. We’ve enjoyed breakfast here in the past, but after this disgraceful experience, we won’t be returning – and we certainly won’t be recommending it.||Avoid if you’re planning anything special. This place has gone downhill, fast this year. The only good point is the 2...