The Minerva — Restaurant in England

Walked in and the bar was absolutely packed. There was a sign saying please wait to be seated, but no one came out for about 10 minutes. There was not even a quick acknowledgement or we’ll be with you in a minute. In the end, we had to stop a member of staff ourselves, otherwise we’d have been standing there all afternoon. We were seated in the restaurant area and there was no mention of the table being reserved in an hours time. There was even a reserved sign on the table which had the times written on them but ours said it didn’t have another booking for 3 hours. The food was great, no complaints there, and thankfully it came out quickly, because 45 minutes in we were suddenly told we had to leave immediately as the table was reserved and the party had arrived. No warning at all. We’d literally just finished eating and had ordered another drink. So we asked if we could at least finish our drinks, but were told no. We then had to squeeze into the crowded bar, where there wasn’t even space for us to stand together. My dad has a back issue and can’t stand for long, so we had to rush our drinks but thankfully someone noticed him struggling and gave up their seat. About 10 minutes later, they all left, so we did eventually get a table in the bar. Overall, it was just a really poor experience from the moment we arrived, considering how much money we spent in there, as it's not cheap, you'd think we'd get treated a bit better. The only positives was the food itself and a lovely lady named Lucy who served our drinks and was super friendly. Unfortunately, the rest of the staff we encountered seemed pretty miserable and unhelpful. Wouldn't recommend going there at all unless you book in which case they are clearly happy to kick people...

The Minerva pub, since re-opening a couple of years back, or so, has gone from strength to strength and now offers a good selection of ales and an excellent menu. The bar staff are always friendly - an attribute that can make all difference to ever visiting a place again. I've regularly enjoyed a beer or two at the Minerva since its re-opening.

New ales find themselves on the bar regularly and the staff are more than happy to let you sample before committing to a pint. Alternatively, you can choose to buy a sample trio with three ales of choice in, what appear to be, 1/3 pint measures. The only negative feedback I have in regard to the ales is that sometimes they're not as fresh as they could be (for this a star is lost), but there is never any problem in returning a pint if it's not to scratch.

Recently, Charlotte (Land Lady) filled the back of the bar with about 30 different varieties of gin. I'd recommend the Pink Pepper with its distinctly noticeable pink pepper taste. Ask Charlotte about them and she'll tell you all about them with enthusiasm. In addition to a vast array of gin the bar also offers a good selection of rum.

The menu is sufficiently varied and food has never disappointed. There is a dining area but meals can be eaten in any of the rooms or alcoves of the pub.

Very good, highly...

First impression was great. First pint was decent, second was cloudy and unfortunately on the way out. Table was reserved from 5, so we knew to leave before 4:45. Staff waited until the men went to the bar not long after 4 then bee-lined for the 1 woman left guarding the (single) table and told her to move the (small) group as they wanted the table sooner. She suggested that the staff stop the men at the bar ordering a full pint so they could leave faster, which the staff didn't. A member of the group checked with a barmaid who confirmed we were actually OK until 4:55 but if wanting to stay longer would need to move to another table, group still on track to leave before 4:45 and promised we'd be gone. Before 4:45 another barmaid with a temper targeted the woman and fired off that she'd asked her several times for them to leave (which she hadn't, and please note, no loutish or loud or drunk behaviour from the group) as the single small round table was required at 5. This member of staff was particularly hostile and out of line bullying her. This pub is probably best avoided if not a local and especially if you're a female on your own. It's a shame, as this used to be a...