Strawberry Field Beefeater — Restaurant in England

I have worked many years in the food and restaurant industry, in fact I managed two Beefeater Restaurants back in the 90s. When we booked our rooms at the Premiere Inn and found there was a Beefeater right next door to the hotel I was more than pleased.

Other members of my family were staying at the hotel. When we arrived we were told that we had to book a table through reception at the hotel. Which we did. Because there were a few of us we decided to booked in smaller groups of 2, 4, 6. I booked a table for myself, partner, my mother and Sister just after we arrived at the hotel, which was about 1600hrs. The booking at The Beefeater was made for 2045hrs. In fact when we all booked our tables, 5 tables in total, we were booked for around the same time.

When we arrived at the restaurant we were greeted by an agitated young man who greeted us with “you have 15 minutes to order your meal. Kitchen is closing early.” This is a Friday night, but apparently this was Chef’s instructions. When does a Chef decide how the restaurant operates.

We were quickly seated at our table, given the menu which the young man threw on the table. It was very rushed. He didn’t introduce the waiting staff, or take our drink order. He returned shortly after to take our order, we were rushed. My mother has dementia and was feeling really flustered. I had to remind the young man that we hadn’t ordered any drinks. The whole experience was unpleasant, rushed and very unprofessional.

One of the female waiting on staff approached my partner and basically blamed my whole family for the rushed service, even when we booked smaller groups. “We didn’t expect a large group this evening.” Which we weren’t, they could have staggered the bookings. But Chef decided to close the kitchen early. It’s a Friday night, it’s supposed to be one of the busiest nights.

Food was mediocre. Nothing like the standard and quality when I worked for Beefeaters. The rest of my family experienced similar service in their individual groups.

The staff were unfriendly and were very young and clearly didn’t want to be there. There didn’t seem to be a competent adult in charge.

I would have given this zero stars but there was an option. Beefeater has fallen to a very low standard. I’m surprised they are...

Stayed at the premiere inn. We had paid for breakfast within our booking for the next morning. Whilst checking into the hotel we booked our table for the next morning at the beefeater for breakfast for 10am.

We arrived in the morning at the beefeater for 10am. First of all We waited 10 minutes at the door to be seen and before anyone actually even acknowledged us. I have managerial experience myself within the pub/restaurant industry myself and it was very clear very early on that something was wrong. They were very very under staffed, the workforce were extremely unhappy and the manager seemed to have lost all control.

When the manager finally approached us he said we had to wait around 20 mins for our table. I was confused. I asked if he thought it was acceptable that we should have to wait 20mins more for a breakfast and table that we had already paid and booked for because I certainly didn't. WE HADN'T JUST WALKED OFF THE STREET.

His reply was that they were trying their best. I said don't try just manage it is clearly obvious that you don't have enough staff.

At 10.40 am we were finally called to our table. The manager said again they were doing their best I again said that It was unacceptable and that more staff were needed. His reply was that it was out of his hands and if I preferred a refund he woukd be happy to do so. So after waiting 40mins of my time he wanted to give a refund. That was gis only answer. We chose to stay.

Mistake 2. Everything had ran out we were surrounding by dirty tables everywhere with no staff in sight. No coffee or milk in machine, no cups, juice had all gone and the cereal was hanging on just.

SIMPLY PUT.... AN ABSOLUTE SHAMEBLES !!!

WOULD NEVER EAT AT THAT...

Me and my partner come here on Friday hoping for a lovely meal but that is far from what happened. Firstly we where sat at a table that hadnt been cleaned and I had to as them to clean it you could see there was salt spilt on it and plilt drinks and sticky as we, so considering this is during covid its to say I wasn't to happy but we were there an we were hungry so we ordered. So the food came out my partners food looked anemic like it had barely been cooked and my chicken was so dry I chewed the same bit for a minute an had to spit it out it was so dry and had no taste, my partner ate his food even tho it wasn't great but at least it was edabl. We were hoping that a member of staff would come by to ask if our meals where ok but we didn't see any staff at all. Im the end someone came over and saw that I had not even my food and asked if I wanted another cooked or something different but by this point I just wanted to leave so they took mine off of the bill but my point was that if they had been more attentive then I would of had something else but my partner had finished as I didn't want his to go cold while he waited. But I definitely would not recommend going here at all I would save your money as im sure you will be as disappointed as we were. There was also other tables in there complaining about the offd as well and that says it all for me. Also im giving one star as there is no lower but they deserve no...