The Running Fox — Restaurant in England

Weird one , this one! It should be outstanding but......it wasn't!

Parking is definitely an issue! The poor people that live next to it!! There is some parking found the back which was full even though there didn't seem to be that many customers in. And there is some disabled parking at the side - which was also full! It's a funny building - looks like an old community centre that's been done up. The outside is a bit messy, paint work needs cleaning and there's a whole wildlife garden growing in the gutters!! There is out door seating in the form of wooden benches, under trees, on the main road. Once inside it is done out beautifully! Quite quirky but very nice. It looked quite busy although there were empty tables but we decided to get takeaway coffee and cakes as we were on a tight schedule. So we waited at the counter to get served.....and waited ......and waited.....and waited!! Quite a crowd behind us now as a very harassed, older server shouted her way through us to get to a little side room with food. The food looked lovely - the lady looked/sounded very grumpy! Eventually we were served by a young girl in glasses who was very pleasant but rushed off her feet ( as another two giggled together in the background ). She served us our cakes, ordered the drinks and said they'd be with us shortly. So we waited....and waited.....and waited! Eventually it was brought through to us without so much as an apology or a thank you! Rude!

And so to the food itself! The orange and white chocolate cheesecake was delicious!! I would certainly recommend it as was the sticky toffee/apple flapjack (?). Both were good healthy portions!!! No complaints there! The flat white was good BUT unfortunately, on my husband taking his first mouthful, he found it was so hot it actually left a blister on his tongue! Which is still painful this morning. The latte was disappointing even after leaving it to cool. Thin and not much taste.

Two coffees, two large slices of delicious cake to take out came to just over £14. I can live with that. I did read on one review where gratuities are added when paying by card so that's one to look out for. I'm happy to tip but only if I think it's deserving and I like to chose how much I give and not be told!

The interior is beautiful and there are little gifts that can be bought. Good quality take away accessories ( thick serviettes, bamboo knives, forks, spoons and sturdy cardboard boxes). Bonus points for that! Excellent choice of cake but would I go back?? Maybe?? I would definitely try one of their other local cafes when next in the area though. I think that this is one that, on the right day, it could be fabulous. Just...

Updated review:

Had a disappointing recent visit to this branch, so have lowered star rating slightly to reflect this. Place was quite busy but we were able to be seated relatively quickly. Had to ask for a bowl for the dog twice as the first server forgot about it, and strangely the food was brought out before the drinks were. They also have a new menu, which has most of the previous items on there but they've downgraded the pie from coming with wedges to instead come with a tattie scone (it's also being called a floating pie so we half expected it to come surrounded by gravy - this was instead in a separate jug, and was quite weak). Still tasty, but it was definitely missing the wedges with it. Also had the halloumi and red pepper melt which I had on my last visit but felt it needed longer - the cheese on top was melted but the halloumi itself was barely warm.

Opted for the sweet treat platter, though it doesn't actually state on the menu what this entails so we had to ask and there seemed to be some confusion - would suggest they include a description on the menu so people know what they'll be ordering without having to ask. As it was, we got to pick three cakes, and it came with two bowls of ice cream and fresh berries (blackberries and blueberries). Didn't leave a tip this time as felt the service was lacking compared to previous visits, had this been out first visit it probably would've put us off returning.

Previous review:

Went for afternoon tea, and was pleasantly surprised by the fact you can choose what you'd like! Plenty of choice - you can opt for a sweet treat afternoon tea if you don't fancy a pie/quiche, or a savoury tea if you don't fancy the cakes, and generous portion sizes too. The only downside was that all the cakes looked yummy and it was difficult to choose what to go for! Staff were very friendly, we were served quite quickly despite it being busy, and it's dog friendly so we were able to bring our pooch along too. Plenty of parking round the back but it was a bit tight, so if you have a bigger car you might struggle.

Only comment would be that some of the items in the shop had no prices on, and we didn't want to have to disturb the busy staff every time we wanted to know how much something was, otherwise we might've bought a couple of things. Will definitely consider going back in the...

Parking is an absolute scandal completely unmanageable assume its just full of local residents parking in the bays so no room for custom. food can be amazing but today I experienced a total disheartening of the running fox, rang several times to ask for a table, no answer on the line we called throughout the 21 mile journey to this establishment to be told it was 1 hour wait, 1 hour for a table of 2 seriously? Few empty tables spotted but clearly people who managed to ring up and get booked in. Can't park and can't dine, walk in and it is packed with pensioners out for a nibble and natter literally every table. Only chance I get to experience the running fox offers as I work full time and this is the start of my annual leave and I cannot even get a table with my mother who is also on annual leave. utterly dissapointing when its the same grannies sitting in there keeping warm holding onto the same cup of tea from 4 hours ago. And they don't even eat the food just look at it for hours on end. Pointless journey I understand booking for afternoon tea and gift card users but booking tables for a scone and a cup of tea for gladys and her mates have to remember it's a café not a michelin star restraunt. Whats wrong with first come first served? Poor planning, poor parking, no cafe is worth waiting an hour for so lost custom they wont be bothered about loosing custom but rest assured we would have spend more money than phylis and gwen sitting on your sofa sharing a pot of tea between them. Barter books had a table so went there instead do have a gift card to use but i'd rather just refund it. Need to change there name to the over 60's...