The Lamb — Restaurant in England

The exterior of the Lamb on first impression is beautiful. Stepping into the place was a lovely warm welcoming environment. The very attractive inglenook fire place had the fire going, the place was buzzing with people either sitting by the bar having a few drinks or people in the restaurant area having a meal. We was staying for the night so made our way to the Inns reception desk. We was greeted by a member of staff who was very helpful and showed us to our room. The room was lovely, warm, very clean, nice hot rainforest head shower and nice selection of teas and condiments on the tea tray. We went for dinner in the restaurant and was greeted by a man called Ian who we believe is the restaurant manager. What a lovely gentleman he is. He took care us from start to finish. He was very friendly, very professional and clearly knows his trade. We really wanted the 35 day matured steak as we previously looked at the menu online, but just before we ordered a table of 12 cleared the place out of steaks!!!! Very disappointed we was. We explained to Ian that we drove a long way from north London for their steaks and he said leave it with me. He came back a little while longer and said he can muster up an offcut but as a starter to share. We said absolutely and we both ordered the beer battered haddock for main course. The steak was melt in the mouth, extremely well cooked by the hard working chefs and the Fish and chips was amazing. Absolutely no complaints and totally clean plates. Ian made all this happen. What a top guy. You can see the way he has a system and connection going with the chefs to produce the quality of service. Well done Ian 👏. We had a fabulous night's sleep and breakfast was also a great experience. Quality ingredients make the full English top class. The morning staff were also lovely and helpful. Great experience all round and we will definitely be back to stay again. We are currently in exmoor now but we loved the food so much we have booked The Lamb for Sunday lunch for 2:30pm today on our way...

We (4 chaps) had booked for a gentleman's evening out to enjoy a nice steak dinner. Pub was very quiet and all night it remained largely empty with 1 other visible dinner plus a shooting party of around 12 in one of the other rooms. Atmosphere suffered and whilst its not in the team's control it was very surprising on a Thursday night in the lead up to Christmas.

Main two issues were the very limited steak options which given its one of their 'big' selling points was very disappointing. Just 6-7 sirloin steaks left, everything else not available! Either they had a significant run on steaks or are not managing the rotation in the air dryer for the meat to ensure good supply. Once ordered we waited on the food and when it arrived it was luke warm to the point it could not melt the accompanying Confit Butter, needed the sauce to add some warmth and basically required you to inhale your steak just to have a warm meal. Server noted this but offered no apology just asked if we wanted them reheated...turning medium rare to medium or well done! Would have understood if the kitchen was very busy but at this point could not see any other occupied tables, even the shooting party were still just drinking. At £38 a steak it would have been a better experience and perceived value to have a hot meal that you could saviour.

We have all eaten here before and had lovely roast dinners so very disappointed. The value versus price did not match and for a destination for steak, will think again before going back for a nice steak dinner...

After reading a glowing review of Sunday lunch here in the Times (and how impossible it was for the reviewer to finish the 'generous' portions) we popped over the day after publication, and sadly, after a (fairly overlong) wait was served a not very warm half plate (at best) of genuine disappointment. We didnt have daft expectations, being fairly easy going (honestly!) but the request for feedback motivated me to follow up where I would've otherwise left it to the 'oh well' nevermind file. I have no idea if the reviewer had mixed up notes with Lore of the Land pub in that London, or a.n. other more proficient kitchen closer by (we live in Wiltshire btw), but I've never eaten anywhere where the reality was so substantially disconnected from the media write up. On the plus side, kind staff and much better decor than its previous tartaneverywhere incarnation, but I can't believe a food centric pub with this many covers can get away with only 2 actual toilets - for the whole place?! The queue during a v. quiet part of Sunday mid afternoon for same summed things up...