The №4 — Restaurant in England

I visited the Pub with my girlfriend hoping for some decent Pub Grub. It was about 5pm & not busy. There was a group of men who had obviously called in straight from work judging by their builders/painters clothes...

We had plenty of choice where to sit so took a table by the window. My girlfriend went to the bar for drinks (we'd recently been in an horrific car crash from which we were lucky to survive so I couldn't carry drinks due to broken hand being in plaster)

She was subjected to some unpleasant sexual comments from the group of workmen. The lady behind the bar reprimanded them but they continued their unwanted suggestive foul language...

I'm no Angel when it comes to swearing but loud in a public place is a no no. Regardless we opted to stay & eat. The menu was limited but reasonably priced. I went for homemade cheeseburger & fries. Janet chose a pasta dish...

After ordering at the bar we waited over 30 minutes before the food arrived. There were few others eating so that seemed a little excessive...

The meals were awful. My burger came without cheese & no chips. Instead there were 2 or 3 uncooked boiled potatoes. The burger was cold & not cooked. It was clearly all from the freezer not home made as per the menu. Janet was served a different pasta meal than ordered. Hers was also lukewarm...

The young girl who'd brought the meals was embarrassed when we pointed out our reasons for being disappointed. She didn't offer to take them away & bring meals we'd actually ordered that were hot....

She seemed wary to pass on our complaints to the 'Chef' (I doubt he was qualified - no one who cares about the standard of food they prepare would serve such unappetising meals - not to mention them being different to ordered)

As we picked at the meal the Chef actually appeared at a nearby table as other diners were unhappy with their meals. His manner was aggressive & his attitude was one of refusal to accept the standard of food he'd prepared could be inedible.

He looked scruffy & not fussed about hygiene. He spent more time drinking at the bar than cooking - not a good sign of a professional or decent Chef IMO

The young waitress then spoke to him & pointed at us. He came over & was unpleasant & wouldn't listen. He walked away back to the kitchen with no offer to replace our meals...

Meanwhile an old lady & her daughter at the next table to us had received their fish & chips meals (it was Friday so on offer). They'd also had a long wait & were disgusted as the fish was cold & a strange, pale colour. Their chips looked reheated & also cold...

It was far from a pleasant experience or atmosphere. The continued raised voices of the foul mouthed workmen added to that...

I used to frequent The No4 often in the late 70s/80s. It was one of THE in places to drink. The standards from then to now can't be compared. Poor doesn't describe it. Sad..

We rarely complain & eat out at least twice a week. Tbh we've not had cause to complain as Pubs are in competition for custom so it's not often meals served aren't as per the menu - and warm

With no offer to replace or refund we left & went further down the road to the No3 where we enjoyed good meals at a good price & served with a smile....

Maybe the day we visited the No4 the staff were new or simply not up to it. It was unacceptable & all you can do is politely point out why as we did. Ironically, as we left, the Chef was at another table talking loudly to unsatisfied customers...

I'd return to The No4 if I felt assured that the below standard problems that existed have been resolved - and recent reviews suggest new management has focused on sorting substandard issues out. I have many fond memories of times spent in that Pub. My last visit wasn't one (understatement lol)

*This is an explanation why I left a 1 star rating as requested. Our visit was not today (16th April 2018) as shown but in Autumn 2017 (exact date...

If I could give 0 stars I would! I would rate the food if we actually got it! After having seriously bad experience a few weeks ago we decided to go again and give them the benefit of the doubt How wrong could we be! After a young lad taking our order of drinks and food (without writing it down) we waited a good 10 minutes without our drink order coming over however after siting there patiently a lady then came over asking if we had ordered in which we advised her we have .. another 10 minutes went by and nothing even though other peoples drinks was being served at the table even though they ordered after us after 25 minutes of the first young lad coming over and taking our order another young lad then came over asking if he could take our order! Obviously we explained that we had ordered our drinks and food a long time ago and told them to forget it and walked out. It is a shame as we used to go here a lot however now it is run by a group of young, useless, rude and basically incompetent young teenage boys. It is safe to say we will not be returning again. If you want my advice save your money and go...

It was a fair meal, I say this because the week before we saw the food coming out of the kitchen and it looked hot and well presented , it was Sunday afternoon and we went in for lunch , ordered drinks and food and before we got halfway down the pint the food was served, it was cooked a little to quickly for my liking almost like it was microwave but it wasn't red-hot. The waiter forgot the cutlery so he ran back to the bar and said enjoy . I ordered a chicken Sunday lunch and like I said it wasn't that hot and the chicken was just I slice like something you get from tesco , the yorkshire pud was missing its top and not sure why . I was asked if I enjoy the meal and I did say it was fair and the barman said to be honest the cook was on her day off and apologise for the temporary cook , would I go again ? To be fair I drove 10 minutes to get to the number four but 10 minutes in the other direction I know of a carvery that is a little bit more expensive but you get a better hotter and meat carved off the bone . If I ate there again I would ring up to see who was in...