The Red House — Restaurant in England

I almost feel bad about writing this review but quite honestly, I am SO sad and disappointed that my husband's 65th birthday was such a wash out. We celebrated our wedding here in July 2015 so it's a special place for us. There was one person manning the bar, taking orders and flying in and out of the kitchen to collect the food. Every time he entered the bar area, there was an almighty SLAM as the door closed. Even to those of us with hearing problems, this was enough to ruin the evening. Two of our cheese soufflé dishes were half their normal size but we couldn't face another 20 minute wait to have them made again. The menu was so limited, I ended up with an enormous bowl of salad and chips for my main course as I didn't fancy vegan fish and chips. There was some kind of conference taking place in the main restaurant and when they all came into the bar, the noise was incredible. I now understand the fella trying to serve absolutely everyone (Ben) had only rostered himself because there were only two tables booked. Was there nobody on standby in case it got busy? We were asked whether we wanted puddings and my 'knowing look' to remind Ben we'd brought a cake didn't work. He was so stressed, I'm surprised he didn't scream at me! I asked if they had a candle. They didn't. I had brought one (luckily) and it's a miracle my husband didn't notice all the covert whispering and shenanigans. We felt sorry for Ben. He was overrun but surely, an extra 50 or so walk ins warranted a phone call for back up. We had been told the menu was pathetically small because they'd been so busy over the Easter weekend. I'll never forget my salad and chips main course :-( None of the above issues were our fault and my husband's 'special' meal was anything but. Very sad indeed but it's unlikely we'll go back to our wedding reception...

We have been lunching at The Red House for years, apart from the two years of Covid-19 when our groupwas absent. We have been twice this year and both times I have been disappointed. Quality and quantity are down. The menu has been reduced significantly and it appears that the emphasis is on controlling inventory (stock) and cost rather than good food. Most of the item's on the menu either have a long shelf life or are pre-frozen, case to point the signature dish of Fish & Chips used to be fresh fish battered and cooked to order this has now been replaced by pre-frozen, preformed fish, battered and taken out of the freezer to order to accompany the fish I was served 8 chips probably cooked from frozen, a pea/mint concoction which probably came out of a jar and a tarter sauce which definitely came out of a jar. On my previous visit I had their other signature dish, Steak & Kidney Pudding which was not on the menu today but on the previous occasion I found it cold in the middle so based on my current experience this could have been frozen and then microwaved. So to sum it up The Red House doesn't need a Chef just a cook who can take food out of the fridge/ freezer and can use a grill, fryer and microwave. Sad end to what was a good restaurant. I would have given it 1 star but gave it 2 stars because the service was excellent. Until they return to cooking good food I'm going to...

This is a lovely pub with great service, let down by poor food. I am sure their classic dishes, fish and chips, steaks etc. are fine, but don’t stray from these as anything else is poor. How the management team can allow substandard dishes being put on the menu is beyond me! If they had any idea on how good food should taste they wouldn’t !!

Tuna which undoubtedly was not fresh served with burnt accompanying sides, vegetarian options which are an afterthought .... why put them on the menu if they’re not fit to be there ? Also, whatever happened to being asked how the food was after finishing your meal? There is now way to improve if you don’t get feedback.....

I hate complaining and maybe that’s why I’ve done it here and not at the restaurant, but after spending £50+ and feeling so disappointed, I’m compelled to make a statement.

I’ve given 2 stars only because of the service and location .... get the menu right and this is a 5 star pub every time!!! Good food is not difficult, it’s just takes effort and...