The Clockspire Restaurant — Restaurant in England

Spaciously and attractively set out the place promises well and is a pleasure to enter. However little care is taken of customer needs and we were disappointed for the £100 for Sunday lunch for two.

My starter of pork terrine was reasonable but was in old pastry with no dressing and tiny pot of concentated apple sauce when the firm meat of the dish required gentle and lumpy apple sauce. A small complaint.

My main course was roast beef but no cooking guide requested. I saw it seemed to be served as a dark semi raw slab of beef on other tables and asked if it could be sliced or carved. I was told it would be cooked rare and not carved. So I asked about the pork and was told that could be carved more thinly. When it came however it was a concentric ring inside crackle skin and thick. The waiter said the chef refused to slice it because it would spoil its shape which was artistically set out. That appeared to be the mission, certainly not the quality of the meat. That was badly chosen or supplied to the kitchen. I have had much belly pork and this was poor. It had been cut up to arrange as much meat as possible by chopping out fat - you could see seasoning between the so-called meat rings but it was poor stuff: mostly an inbetween sort of meat looking like gelatinous fat, some meat grain could be detected but that was tough and unpleasant to eat. As though in remorse the chef had found some real meat which was ground up into a solid ring at the centre, with a sprinkling of meat crumbs additionally placed inside the little Yorkshire pudding.

The vegetables came in tiny pots for two people - they were grossly over salted so that even nine hours after the meal I could still taste it. I mentioned to the waiter about the saltiness and complained that the meat had not been sliced as he promised. He said that the seasoning was a mistake but that the chef would not spoil the shape of the meat for me.

I advised him not to carry my remarks back to the kitchen as it would do no good. I was surprised that he did not inform the manager who remained at the entrance throughout service rather than checking on service and food with customers. Neither the staff nor the manager were interested in whether we were satisfied. It seems to be a rough kind of cooking where the staff dictate to customers what they ought to like and with no thought as to what the customer wants. There is a nearby restaurant at Trent which was bought by a chef. He always serves steak rare regardless of customer taste and returns the plate if further cooking is requested. That restaurant says he knows how to be a chef. It seems that the Clocktower exhibits the same attitude.

It has four stars for attitude but with two stars for cooking and service it cannot be...

We had a small family meal here for my 66th birthday and left a bit disappointed. Whilst the food was good (though perhaps a bit small considering the prices), the service was AWFUL.

We arrived at about 7:15 for a 7:45 table reservation. The place was quite quiet. We were shown to the bar, which is pleasant, but had to wait over 10 mins for someone to take our order. By which time a 'celebrity chef' had arrived and everyone was fawning over them. No surprise their drinks were delivered before ours. We had to ask for them! The drinks arrived about 5 minutes before was were told our table was ready and we should head down, which we did.

Haven taken our table we we basically ignored, despite the 'service desk' being adjacent to our table. After about 20 minutes - I had to ask for menus! After another delay and having to ask the waitress came and took our orders and said she would be 'right back' to take the wine order. No surprise that about 15 minutes later I had to ask for someone to take the wine order.

Our starters arrived before the wine! And then the waitress forgot to pour wine for one of the party!

When the mains arrived one of the party was told there would be a short delay in their meal arriving!!!! (There were only 5 in the party!) It did eventually arrive.

The GM!! BUMPED into my sisters chair on a couple of occasions in his efforts to fawn over the celebrity and their guests! (Yes, they were on the adjacent table! Not one apology.

I have dined in fine dining restaurants around the world, and also eaten great street food in Asia etc.

I have to say that sadly this restaurant delivered the WORSE SERVICE, I have ever experienced. This is very sad as I have also dined at the sister restaurant, The Woodspeen in Newbury, and their service was first rate.

It is doubtful that I/we...

My recent visit to The Clockspire was a veritable tour de force, surpassing all expectations. Nestled within a historic edifice of exquisite architectural distinction, the restaurant exudes an air of grandeur and refinement. The interior design, replete with thoughtfully curated decor, creates a welcoming and captivating ambiance, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The seasonal menu is a testimony to the chefs' culinary artistry, showcasing the finest, painstakingly sourced ingredients, expertly prepared with mastery and creativity. Each dish is a gastronomic triumph, with meticulous presentation and an explosion of flavours that stimulate the senses.

What sets The Clockspire apart from other dining establishments is the unwavering attention to detail and impeccable service. The highly trained staff exude a palpable aura of savoir-faire, their deep knowledge of the cuisine is astonishing. Attentive to every aspect of the dining experience, from the wine selection to the temperature of the dishes, the team's dedication to excellence is evident.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Clockspire to those seeking an unforgettable and superlative dining experience. Ideal for celebrating a special occasion or for those looking for an immersive gastronomic adventure, the restaurant's exceptional food, sophisticated ambiance, and unparalleled service, make it a top choice for discerning diners.

As for myself, I look forward to returning time and again, to indulge in its delectable offerings and revel in its...