The Blue Bowl Inn — Restaurant in England

UPDATE DUE TO REPLY: We arrived when you had just opened and were still setting up. The booking was made a day in advance and to be fair I wish you said you were full. As for a 140 diners, this must be a typo- more around 40 at the time we were there. We were not informed of an Irish night either on booking or at the the pub. Would be nice to actually be offered the "special" Irish menu. The table did have cutlery but was cleared after the starter but nothing brought with the main. There is also other reviews about your uncooked pie but I guess these are liars along with all the other bad reviews. My partner did mention on paying that she was unhappy with the food but this was obviously ignored, like the plates full of chicken, chips, oinion rings, veg and pastry. There is obviously a pattern with your replies to negative comments, and I hope people reading this refer to other reviews and your unprofessional responses. Also, your rating must obviously be due to the previous owners amazing food as this pub could not be 4.5 stars now.

Used to be a regular of the blue bowl and was always lovely food, thought we’d give new owners a go and what a mistake! Requested to be seated in a quiet area out of the way and was seated in the noisy bar. Service was appalling, waitress could not remember an order of drinks for 2, served main course and wasn’t even given cutlery. Starter was ok, but that’s the best it got. I had steak pie, meat was lovely but pastry was raw, onion rings were unpleasant. The “famous” blue bowl bake, was absolutely awful. Chicken was pink and chewy, borderline raw, sauce was watery with a gloop of Stilton at the bottom. Left 80% of the meal and after paying £50, would expect at least one of us to be satisfied. Didn’t cause a scene and immediately left, not a patch on what it used to be and would not visit again. Seriously...

The most awful experience. We came this evening with a friend who has a list of food allergies/intolerances. We flagged this when booking, and again before ordering. The burger came out with onion rings we were advised these are not gluten free so the burger had to be returned. My friend requested it be made again .. because she cannot have gluten. It was returned later we carried on the food was questionable overcooked tasted more like microwave meals. But alas it was edible. My friend then began to get stomach cramps.. when the waitress was questioned yes you guessed it they did not replace the burger they simple removed the onion rings and the items they sat directly upon. My friend then ended up in the toilet. When I asked to speak to a manager a lady who I presume was the chief came out who questioned her allergies citing she didn’t understand the legitimacy of one of them.I said we would not be paying for my friends burger and I was told fine and to apologise to her and it was “Her mistake” there was no sincerity or real apology for causing physical illness upon a customer more like an inconvenience we dared to question. When we went to pay for the remainder of the food she walked up asked if we had paid when we replied no she said “Not to bother” no apology to my friend who was stood directly next to me. At least that took some of the sting away as having to pay for such a awful meal would have added insult to literal injury. 3 mains and a drink each doesn’t exactly break the bank but you want to actually enjoy the meal you pay for. I honestly would never eat here again the blatant disregard for food safety. Thank god she did not have an allergy that resulted in anaphylaxis.

Had we actually read the negative reviews on here prior we would not have come. I advise anyone looking to dine...

Visited: 14/5/2017 HEADLINES Premises: good, clean, large, country pub Staff: excellent, attentive, polite Service: excellent even when busy Menu: good range of pub food Food: very good with generous portions

DETAIL A country pub with extended car park but only just big enough when pub is really busy. Separate restaurant area but you can eat restaurant food in the bar area and reserve a table if required. Clean premises with enough soft furnishings to prevent the harsh sounds of many eating places. Toilets are typical pub toilets and acceptably clean.

Plenty of staff for the number of customers when busy; all of whom were welcoming, polite, friendly, efficient and very attentive. Despite being very busy the service was quick.

A good general menu offering a good range of food. Prices are very reasonable. We had the Sunday lunch. Again, despite being very busy the food was served within a very reasonable time. The plates were hot, as was all the food. A very good Sunday lunch and generous portions. (You can have a mix of two meats with Sunday lunch option).

A welcoming country pub, serving good food situated in the lovely Chew Valley and well worth a return visit - better to book...