Green Oak Farm - Dining & Carvery — Restaurant in England

I recently visited and ordered the Farmhouse Carvery Salad, and unfortunately, the overall experience was disappointing — both in terms of food quality and customer service.

Food Quality: According to the menu, the salad should include mixed salad leaves, tomato, cucumber, roasted peppers, red onion, coleslaw, dressing, and slow-roasted turkey and gammon. While the meat was tender and enjoyable, the salad itself was underwhelming. It consisted almost entirely of mixed lettuce, with none of the advertised roasted peppers — one of the key reasons I chose the dish. On top of that, the hard, inedible core of the lettuce had been included, which negatively affected both texture and enjoyment. And before anyone asks why I didn’t complain — just look at the queue.

Service & Atmosphere: We had booked a table for six and were seated promptly upon arrival, which was appreciated. However, there was not enough cutlery or napkins on the table, and we had to locate these ourselves. With a 20-person-deep queue at the bar, this felt like an unnecessary hassle during what should have been a relaxed, dine-in experience.

While I understand the venue was very busy, that shouldn’t excuse a lack of basic customer service. No staff member came over to check if everything was okay, and the overall experience felt more like a conveyor belt than a welcoming meal out. One of our dishes was even served in a paper bag, without a plate — which felt careless and out of place in a sit-down setting.

Ordering Experience: All food and drinks had to be ordered at the bar, resulting in a very long queue. It eventually became so unmanageable that customers were asked to change how they queued because the original setup was making it difficult for staff to serve food efficiently. All I wanted was a glass of water, yet I still had to queue, which felt unnecessary and frustrating. I really did spend 20 mins waiting for a glass of water. The new McDonalds next door or just driving home would have served me quicker!

I did notice a QR code on the table, but I didn’t have my phone with me. Even when I do, I find QR code-only ordering systems off-putting. They’re impersonal, potentially open to abuse, and take away from the human element of dining out — something that should never be lost in hospitality.

Suggestions:

Consider assigning a dedicated staff member for drinks-only orders during peak times.

Introduce a self-serve station for water and possibly refills for certain beverages (with appropriate oversight).

Ensure advertised ingredients are actually included in meals.

Reintroduce more human engagement into the service, even when busy — a quick check-in can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts: Between the missing ingredients, poor salad quality, lack of engagement, disorganisation, long queues, and impersonal atmosphere, the experience was disappointing.

That said, I want to stress that I’m sharing this feedback in the hope it helps improve consistency and customer care — particularly during busy periods. I genuinely want this place to thrive and continue serving the community well. It’s well priced, offers a great range of options (especially for children), and has real potential.

Please take this feedback onboard — with a few improvements, we can all continue to enjoy this space together. I’ll definitely be back and look forward to seeing how...

Me and my partner visited here and was my first time going for a carvery. We were in the area so went earlier and spontaneous that we would usually around 11.15 on a Sunday. We were not sure of the carvery opening times but figured someone would let us know if we were way too early. When we were arrived we waited a short while at the entrance where it clearly states wait to be seated. A young waitress slowly walked over and stared at us, an experience I can’t say I have had before. To alleviate the awkwardness of not being greeted I happened to ask for a table for two where we were told sit anywhere you want as if we had kind of been standing around stupidly. She then proceeded to return to what she was doing. No have you been here before? No letting us know when you’re ready head up to the bar to order? So for 10 minutes we sat waiting at the table not quite knowing how it all worked until I asked another waitress. Not the best of starts but fine. I headed up to the bar area as we were having carvery’s I didn’t think to get my table number which I needed. My partner went to quickly get it then we waited a few minutes while the 2 colleagues were laughing and chatting to what felt like a regular who wasn’t ordering at the time. We then went to order and no regular coke on draft only bottled. That’s fine we ordered and payed then was told the carvery will be 5 minutes, again absolutely fine we’re quite early. We waited 10 minutes at the table and thought in case there running behind to ask a waitress what time it opened who then had to check with another waitress who confirmed 11.30. It was 11.40 a reasonable assumption it was open. We headed up and it was not open again if they are running behind I don’t mind but I now felt like a desperate eager customer. The waitress from the beginning of this story then started to put the red rope out for the carvery but proceeded to put it out right in front of us and effectively block us off from the entrance to the carvery without saying a single word. I nicely asked if she would like us to wait within the ropes to which I was told well it’s not open yet sooooo. At this point I was fuming and walked away to calm down for a minute. I then came back and waited and was greeted by a friendly chef who after a few times of saying he was ready realised something wasn’t ready. Again not an issue on its own but with everything else I could not help but start laughing now. The service was appalling and we almost left on several occasions.

The saving grace it has was the food was great and tasted really good. The cake always are also great but not sure how stock works there and variations.

If we returned we may return and book at a time where they were not opening everything up as this may have been the issue but I believe if you’re open then service should be the same. It was quite disappointing as the actual...

what an earth?! we bought 2 regular carverys a diet coke and a water. the man who served us was extremely snotty i have never had an encounter with someone as casually rude as him. we asked if he could do the bill in two separate transactions, the face he had you could tell he was really irritated however what we requested was not difficult or complex to accommodate. he asked if i wanted a large or regular coke and i said “just normal please” and he replied “so regular then” with a slight attitude. we both brushed it off and assumed he was having a bad day as it happens to us all. however 10-15 mins later we needed a new straw as it started to crumble, so we politely asked and the way he went about it was so rude? i cannot understand how someone as rude as him can be hired and beleive as a member of staff it is okay to treat customers this way. the food over all was okay- the meat was lovely but the califlour cheese was barley califlour cheese if it is just slightly softened califlour with a speck of cheese sauce if that…… to top it off we went up for a refill on the veg as it was delicious and told we cannot have seconds. so tell me how this roast dinner earnt the label as a “carvery”. the lad who told us stared at us blankly after telling us this info and as we went to sit back down all the staff were glaring. who is hiring these staff members and why are they all so straight faced and miserable. the atmosphere was absolutely disgusting however there was a lovely man who was serving people he knew- i’m assuming, and he seemed like a genuinely lovely man. i will not be returning and i would rather eat gravel off the floor than...