The Sandringham — Restaurant in England

I have to give one star or I cannot post my review. Four stars for ‘Atmosphere’, because we were there with friends who made it fun. We booked a Saturday night table for fifteen for a 50th party. We arrived at 4.45pm & other friends would be arriving around 5pm. At 7pm, we went to order, only to be told that they were taking no more orders, as there was only one chef working. Hungry, we had to buy crisps instead. At around 9pm, we noticed that bar staff brought out two plates of chips, fish etc to two men at the next table. I went up to order, thinking that the kitchen had reopened, also noting two further people were eating food as well. I was again told that the kitchen was closed. When I pointed out the four diners, I was told that the two men had “booked a table” & that the other couple had their food brought out “as a mistake. They shouldn’t have received any food”. I told the staff that I had also booked a table & was told that they’d come up as soon as people had arrived, to say that we needed to order food. This must have been asked of one of our guests, because our immediate family group was not asked. That person didn’t pass the message onto the rest of the group. That said, the twelve people still with us when I returned back to them to report this explanation, said no one had spoken to them. Clearly, the staff member had not explained that otherwise we would not be able to order at all. To their credit, the staff member apologised profusely. Another of our party went up & after a very lengthy conversation, managed to get three bowls of chips, which were shared around. By eight there were no more wine glasses. By nine, the Doombar had run out. Shortly after, there was no more Carling. The bar staff did the best they could, but somewhere big mistakes were made and it was a huge shame that this had to happen when we had decided to go there with our friends for an important celebration. A couple of our friends had warned us that the place was not as good as it had been a couple of years ago. We had forgotten their warning & ultimately paid the price. Sitting there last night, they did not say, “I told you so”. The Sandringham is within walking distance for us, but it’s time to find a...

We arrived Saturday 14 June around 1pm, we had a table booked. Upon entering it was really quiet which was surprising for a mid afternoon on a Saturday. We were a group of 8, 1 child 7 adults. We tried to do the order on the app, which for 6 adults and the child was fine, but for 1 adult we had to go to bar and order because you couldn’t order a classic chicken burger on the app. Went to the bar and was served quickly, customised the burger and asked for a side to come out with the main, the person serving put the order through. When everyone else’s starters came out, my side came out as a starter, I explained this was supposed to be with the main course and they took it back. After all the starters and waiting for the mains about 30 minutes had passed, they then started bringing out the mains. They brought out the same side that was sent back over 30 minutes ago, which was dry and not pleasant by this point. The customisations that I’d added to the burger weren’t correct either, so this resulted in the main having to be sent back. They brought it back a few minutes later. During our mains no-one came to check to see how the food was and if everything was ok, which is unusual, even when collecting the plates we weren’t asked how the food was. We then ordered some deserts and a drink, the deserts came out promptly but the drink did not follow. I allowed some time as there were customers being served at the bar so thought it would be done after serving those people, it did not come. I went up to the bar and politely explained I’d ordered a drink with our puddings and explained this was the third time this afternoon that the service had been poor, granted the person behind the bar did apologise but it did not appear sincere.

For how quiet the pub was on this afternoon I couldn’t quite understand the poor service, if it was a busy afternoon you would have some leniency with mistakes being made but there was probably less than 20 people in the pub at the time and we made...

Walked in for lunch on a Thursday 1pm (with limited time as we had to get back to work). There were a number of tables occupied but I wouldn’t call it “super busy”, plenty of available tables.

We placed our order. We were not informed that the kitchen is over worked and there is a waiting time on food. But one would never have thought that the pub was so busy… it looked pretty normal business on a mid-week lunch time.

We end up waiting nearly 30min and when my meal is brought over, it’s wrong.

I walk over to the counter. I intercept a waitress, and I say to her, “hey when you you are done, could I talk to you about my meal?” And her response is abrupt, rude and brash.

I then walk over to someone I think is the manager. She looks absolutely worked up as another customer seemed to have an issue with his bill. I explain the issue. Instead of owning up, sort the issue out with an apology, I end up in a very awkward conversation where I felt blamed for the wrong meal and further more asking me what she should do. Additionally, tells me quite rudely how busy they are and that there is a waiting time. (Again, not the most friendliest service, frustrated, probably overwhelmed?)

But presto, my husband finally gets his meal served and the same manager is suddenly so polite, and friendly, apologising for the wait etc. And I’m left wondering is it because my husband is Caucasian??

Anyway, putting aside the racial under-currants, if the pub was struggling, mid week, lunch time, with the number of tables they had, I wonder how they would really cope during the weekends when or if it ever gets super busy.

Either way, I won’t be returning back. It’s not worth my money, or time. Even if food is ok, customer service...