The Church Mouse — Restaurant in England

AVOID MUCH BETTER ELSEWHERE !!! Very disappointing. Thought we would give them a try due to a promotion of £20 off £40 spend. Ordered via the table on their app because they push this option.When we first walked in look for a table because no one to greet, manager behind the bar (we became aware he was the manager later) shouted across from behind the bar, the area we were heading to was fully booked, even though virtually empty we had to go to other tables in another area. Thought ok no problem they must be awaiting a very large party. It later transpired they weren't, and plenty of tables were available. We found a table and ordered via the table on their app because they push this option on there app and the tables. Ordered the food but realised the promotion hadn't been added. Went to the bar for them to simply add to our order. The manager Ray stated that the discount code added to the app wallet wasn't valid until 24 hours after downloading the app. I assumed refardless as he was the manager, he would simply refund the £20 to our card. No, couldn't do anything, no apology and seemed to have a chip on his shoulder for some reason and not the level of service we would expect from a manager and was very unhelpful. Again we assumed the point of the offer was to get customer into the pub and then stay loyal, unfortunately the total opposite which I informed him that he had now lost to very disgruntled customers, didn't seem to be concerned! The food arrived, the steak would have been nice if I hadn't been cold including the pepper corn sauce, being cynical assumed this may have been complimentary because of my earlier discussion with the manager, Ray. Now, they have totally lost our custom and all the other vintage inn establishments if this is their customer care and food standards. I would recommend they go on training as he ruining the reputation of the church mouse and vintage brand. The guy behind the bar seemed embarrassed by the situation and was more helpful than the manager, at least he seemed to care and genuinely wanted to help. Avoid much better food chains that care about their customers and not particularly cheap compared to their competitors. AVOID !!! Unless you want to be disappointed. Appreciate it was a Monday night and a nearly an hour before the food service stopped and wanted to probably finish, but the manager was very unprofessional and unhelpful. Worse experience ever!!😡😩 IN RESPONSE TO THE RESTAURANT TO OUR REVIEW - We assumed that the guy who dealt with us was the manager as it stated outside on a board their name was Ray, sorry for the confusion and misunderstanding regarding the name but it was the person that was acting as the manager when we visited on the 29th January. TO TOP IT OFF THE REFUND TO MY PAYMENT CARD HASN'T BEEN MADE EITHER - UNPROFESSIONAL - AVOID...

We had Christmas Day lunch booked and what a disappointment it was. Several weeks ago we went in for lunch and paid the balance and were shown which table in the restaurant we would be getting and were told all the tables would be decorated and made to look very Christmassy. We arrived at 2pm yesterday and the table was booked for 2.15. There was a very long queue to get in and the whole place seemed rather chaotic. Alarms bells started to ring but we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. When we eventually got to the front of the queue I was asked for my name and the the gentleman dealing with the bookings and he went off in the direction.of the promised table and then came back, didn’t speak for several minutes and then told a passing waitress to set another table and we were directed to the pub area. When I questioned this and explained we had been told that we were in the dining room he very rudely stated that no tables could be chosen. What puzzles me was why he had minutes earlier checked the table we were told we were having !! The table for four we actually got was in a corner of the pub and consisted of two different height small tables , a wobbly chair and wasn't set with any cutlery. Eventually the young waitress came along with knives, forks etc. As I have already said we have eaten here before and the food was very good BUT yesterday it most certainly wasn’t. The starter arrived and we all had different and we agreed it was very average and just ok. We had all chosen a traditional Christmas dinner which again was ok but nothing special. We asked for cranberry sauce to accompany it but this didn’t arrive. It took 50 minutes for the plates to be cleared away after we had finished what we could then the deserts arrived which again weren't great. We didn’t finish them and left. The truth is I think that two many people had booked to have their Christmas Day lunch there and instead of adding an extra 30-40 minutes turn around time for customers on the earlier tables they hadn’t and this had a knock on effect. The service was so slow, staff attitude poor and atmosphere 0%. We most definitely will not...

We attended for Sunday lunch after seeing photos the pub had posted online, where they looked absolutely beautiful. When ordering we asked if the beef would be served pink- we were told yes. When food arrived we were served cremated beef as tough as leather. Which was disappointing, even if it wasn’t pink it could have at least been tender and edible. The roasties didn’t have a hint of garlic as advertised and were Aunt Bessies at best. The Yorkshire pudding was also frozen and not homemade. Veg was very poor. One piece of carrot and one mushy parsnip on the plate. Then a small bowl with a spoon full of peas and cabbage on the side which was to do 2 people. We got an extra side of mash to share as that didn’t come with the dinners- which came and again was a table spoon worth. I don’t mind paying extra for a decent dinner. We often do to ensure a nice meal. But when you’re paying £2 shy of what you’d pay at some of the nicest restaurants in town, you’d expect everything to be homemade and not falsely advertised. The service was quick and the majority of staff were very friendly and attentive. There was however, one member of staff who’s facial expressions and attitude towards us and other customers was appalling! We did let the guy know when we were leaving that we were disappointed in the food and that we’d have expected not only for the price but the way they are advertised aswell, to have been a decent homemade meal. He got the wrong end of the stick and thought we were unhappy about presentation not the overall quality and taste of the food. False advertising and overpriced for the quality of food. We would maybe return for drinks but...