Pen & Cob — Restaurant in England

I was hoping this would be an easy 5* but I’m being generous with 3.

Sat down at 14:30 and left at 17:00. We all only had mains and no starters or desserts. It wasn’t busy just incredibly slow and forgetful service.

The staff are lovely and sweet but painstakingly slow, forgetful and almost everything was out of stock from the drinks and food menu. I’m not talking one item or being overly picky here. It was every syrup for sodas etc. (apart from passion fruit and cherry), all bottled ciders apart from one flavour, spicy lamb burgers, no chicken breast items, no trout. You get the picture. Then the Cider was forgotten about as the alternative was selected, the water for the table was forgotten twice and each time was met with an oh yeah and then never brought unless someone went up to ask.

The food took FOREVER. I hope it was just an unlucky day for us but obviously we were joking about the lack of items available and everything being forgotten but the food took a good 1.5h to reach the table. Only mains.

The food was fine but nothing special. You can get this menu at an average gastropub. They tried to elevate normal food eg with a little with chorizo relish on burgers to give it a little more than Pub meal but I will stick with average gastropub for flavour and quality of food. Out of all the dishes, I will say that the beef roast was the better option. I also liked the bacon crumble on the Mac & Cheese side.

Also, slight personal ick but one person ordered from the gluten free menu (fish and chips) and asked whether this was with GF batter, we were told yes and then the fish came out without batter where the same waitress said with batter wouldn’t be gluten free.

Having worked front of house myself in the past, she should have checked with the kitchen if unsure when placing the order and if they said no it’s without, come back to make sure it’s okay as opposed to wait the 1.5h and then echo what the kitchen says. Not the end of the world but unprofessional in my opinion.

Also, there was a booking made on Friday (3 days prior) upon hotel check in which someone forgot to put into the system so there was a whole ordeal beforehand which I wasn’t present for but might want to call to double check your booking has been put through the next day or so to avoid awkwardness.

I didn’t anticipate such a long review but as I’m writing this, I think 3* is very generous. We definitely won’t be back for food, maybe a cocktail to sit outside but that’s all, perhaps with a side of...

Disappointing Cream Tea Experience – Never Again! We were looking forward to enjoying a traditional cream tea at the Anne tearoom within the Swan Hotel in Bedford. However, upon arrival, we were told that cream tea was only available at the Brasserie Pen & Cob. Fair enough—we thought we’d enjoy the lovely river view from there.

Unfortunately, the experience quickly went downhill. All the chairs were stained, and I had to search for the least dirty one to sit on. When we asked for cream tea, we were told there might not be any scones left. It was only 2:00 PM on a Saturday during a bank holiday weekend—how can you run out of scones so early?

The waitress never returned, and we were about to leave when another waitress finally brought us scones and asked if we wanted anything else, not even realising that we do not have any tea or coffee. We requested tea—specifically Masala chai—and asked if it was made with milk. We were told YES but when it arrived, it was clearly made with water. When I complained about this, a third waitress serving us now, responded rudely, saying it wasn’t her who gave that information. We then had to ask for milk, which should have been offered or served automatically. I would have chosen another tea and mentioned this, but this was totally and arrogantly ignored.

To make matters worse, we were only given one portion of jam and clotted cream—despite being two people —so we had to ask for more. As for the plain scones—they were the worst I’ve ever seen served. I wouldn’t serve them to anyone and I make my own frequently. While the taste was passable, the whole experience, in this lovely location/hotel, was more than disappointing. On top, the tea tasted like washing-up water—absolutely disgusting.

Please also take a look at my photos, especially the teapot—it was filthy, inside and out! as if it had never been properly washed. My daughter had to ask for a clean cup because the one she was given was also disgustingly dirty on arrival which the waitress should have spotted and not brought to the table.

Unfriendly staff, poor service, filthy chairs and dirty china. A very disappointing cream tea. We definitely won’t...

Awful & insulting Previously thought the Pen & Cobb restaurant was very nice with its riverside location. However on my visit last week, Friday 12th August, was hugely disappointed. Arrived at about 6.30pm to the terrace beside the restaurant (not the new open bit) for a meal, it was not busy. Asked for menu, told have to order inside, not table service. However a young waitress then did come out and ask if we wanted drinks. My friend ordered a non alcoholic cocktail from menu, I ordered a St Clements (bitter lemon & sparkling orange) not on menu but a common drink. Lots of confusion no one knew what a bitter lemon drink was?? Eventually after much going back and forward to bar someone more senior came out to sort and I could not have that drink. They then informed us my friends cocktail not available, so she had to order something else. Should have given up then! Following that, I ordered a glass of white wine, this was eventually delivered warm. I returned it and asked for a cold wine, was brought the same warm wine back but this time it was in a cold glass. Was totally insulted, that anyone would think this was ok!! Anyway onto menu, we ordered burgers, my friends was lamb, that was ok. Mine was a double beefburger. Both meat patties were totally cremated (see pics) whoever sent that out should be ashamed of themselves, would they eat it!! Needless to say it was returned. As an apology they sent an extra bowl of chips? The young waitress throughout was very sweet and very apologetic about it all, felt sorry for her. I did not ask for any refund as just wanted to leave and put the whole experience behind me, but on receiving bill found they had deducted the cost of the wine and main meal, which was something , however, had gone out for an enjoyable meal and evening and this was anything but that, the whole night was spoilt. Would have preferred good food and service. Sadly despite lovely location it will be...