The Boathouse — Restaurant in England

We ate at the Boathouse most recently on Saturday 24th Aug night and Sunday morning for dinner and breakfast respectively.

On both occasions the food was of a good standard, but clearly the prices reflect the location of the restaurant rather than the quality or portion. However we’ve eaten at the Boathouse a few times and are aware of this… it’s not off putting. There were dishes missing from the menu on Saturday evening. Continental breakfast options are available but not listed on the breakfast menu.

Temperature control was better on Saturday, but was a bit hot and stuffy on Sunday.

It was busy on both occasions but there are plenty of staff providing an efficient service, however there is work to do in terms of overall attitude of the staff that could really elevate the experience of this venue.

In particular on Sunday, we had two tables of 6 booked who wanted to be near one another. We’d made notes on the booking - and called ahead a few days prior. The attitude of the gent on the phone was a bit “computer says no.” To my surprise groups of a similar size were accommodated on both Saturday and Sunday so I’m unsure why it was such an issue for us. Some of the party were then seated on Sunday on a table of 4 in a very busy section, but the staff did eventually find us an area to all sit together. It was unnecessarily chaotic, could have been accommodated and planned for sooner… and it left a slightly bitter taste.

A couple of members of staff made up for it, the male greeter on arrival on/Saturday night was very charming and complemented our outfits. The chap who seemed to be in charge on Sunday did spring into action when I raised my concerns. Our waitress (a blonde lady with a eastern accent) was charming and polite during breakfast. The rest of the staff I didn’t find particularly warm, chatty or willing to help.

We will no doubt visit the boathouse again… but there is certainly potential for my experience there to be memorable for the right...

Specifically booked this place as the website made it out to be a quaint and picturesque upmarket seafood restaurant which was what we were looking for. Booked in advance for a milestone birthday meal, with both elderly people and children in tow but when we arrived it was carnage.

We queued for 10 minutes before getting served and could already see thet the place was completely overcrowded and that most people were overly drunk and becoming quite rowdy (we observed one man being sick on himself in the corner and my 70 year old mother was also pushed into a wall by a large young man trying to get past).

By the time we met the host whose placement was creating a bottle neck right in the middle of the bar and who was also completely overwhelmed and unable to handle the situation in a respectable way. He told us they were running at least 15 minutes behind and told us to go to the bar. The queue for the bar was rows deep so we declined and just ended up standing in the middle of the place waiting. 20 minutes later they were still waiting for the previous customers at the table to finish and upon our second enquiry as to how much longer we’d be waiting we were told they still needed to provide the table with a birthday cake that they wound likely then be eating and then settle the bill and go. At this point we’re decided to leave.

This place needs to decide what it wants to be, if it wants to be a rowdy bar be a rowdy bar but don’t market yourself as a upmarket restaurant. Thoroughly...

I Felt compelled to leave a review after a poor experience. I Met up with friends from the USA and thought the Boathouse would be a good place to eat, but I was very wrong.

The food was sub par, cold and the waitress spilled it on the table, without apology or rectifying leaving us with a mess on the table. Our sides were forgotten about and only upon chasing 3 different staff were they brought to us, but again rather cold. Only eating what was served out of sheer hunger and not desire.

I would not of felt so strongly about leaving this review as I can appreciate everyone has off days but under the fact that the restaurant was not busy, the staff were more interested on their phones, each time being served was met with another bout of rude attitude and a simple sorry and a smile seemed far out of their capabilities.

Upon requesting the bill, only waiting 45 minutes to pay and again, chasing to pay what I deem an unsatisfactory meal was I met with a sarcastic bar man who shrugged off the issue. I should hope this review is met with immediate improvement so other customers don’t have to eat disappointment and experience a sham level of...