Tykes — Restaurant in England

We are regulars at Tykes and always had a great experience. Sadly last night was not up to the usual standard. Firstly I want to state that the food was excellent and the steaks cooked to perfection. The issue was around the service or perhaps the lack of service. It was my wife’s birthday and when booking on line I stated this and asked for a candle / sparkler to be put on her desert. The evening started badly in that there was no coordination between staff. We were taken to the table and left. Eventually a waiter came with menus and did not wait around or asked if we wanted drinks. I had to get a waitress to come over to take the drinks order. When the drinks came the coke was flat. I had to search to find a waitress to ask her to replace them. She said there was a problem with the gas and would bring fresh drinks as soon as the gas problem was sorted. We asked 4 times for drinks but they never arrived. We had to find a waitress to take our food order. The staff seemed to be avoiding the tables and chatting amongst themselves at the main counter. When the main courses came I asked about the drinks again but was told that the gas issue was not sorted. She did not offer an alternative and I had to get someone over to ask for a jug of water. My wife and daughter had been in the restaurant for over an hour with no drink. When we got our deserts there was no candle so assume they had not noted the comments at the booking. There room turned cold around 9 and the ladies on the next table put their fleeces on. There were no staff in sight. I went to find someone for the bill and the lady brought the bill over and said do you want the card machine. No conversation or asking if we enjoyed our meal. Her attitude was very disappointing. We paid and left. Have always gone to tykes at Christmas but we all decided that we will not be returning. Such a shame as the food remains excellent, sadly there seems to have been a change in waiting staff and a lack of training...

WORST meal out in a long time. We were staying at nearby Griffon Lodges and thought it’d be a nice place for our final meal of the trip.

We reserved a table, but were seated at a table with three chairs even though we are a couple. We were asked our drinks orders before we could even look through the menu, when we asked for some water and more time this seemed to annoy the waiter. Another waiter came to take our food order, they were much nicer. We shared the ham hock terrine which was okay, focaccia bit skimpy. I got the special swordfish steak and partner got fillet steak.

The mains took a while and when mine arrived I couldn’t believe what I was served. The potatoes were black, the spice on them burnt beyond recognition. No one would pick up that plate and think it was edible?! (I’m laughing now looking at the picture) Confused I took a bite and it was 100% burnt. Had to send it back. 5 minutes later another waiter came over and said that was the last of the special potatoes (so they had given me the burnt dregs, lovely!) and I could have chips instead. I appreciated they were apologetic but my replacement meal took so long my partner’s went cold before it arrived.

When the fresh one arrived I couldn’t eat much because the “salsa verde” the fish and chips were sat on was just green oil. The flavour of everything was just oil… With an array of unseasoned tomatoes. It was the most unpleasant meal I’ve been served in a long time. My partners steak however was lovely.

We decided to leave without ordering dessert and waited and waited but our plates weren’t cleared. Partner had to pay at the bar and said staff were just counting tips. The bathroom hand drier was the best part of my experience. I am giving 2 stars because I wasn’t charged for the swordfish and staff were apologetic but what a poor experience. Highly doubt...

Took my son as staying at the hotel next door, had pre booked a table, just a handful of people were in when we arrived. Shown to our table, picked what we wanted, then waited and waited for the order to be taken. Eventually waitress came over. Explained my son wanted two starters instead of a main, ordered him soup and the scallops/prawns. I ordered off childrens menu for myself (due to operation can only eat very small portions food). Drinks brought over within 5 mins, food was quite a wait, eventually was brought both starters for my son, one was placed in front of me. My son enjoying both. I sat waiting for mine. After he'd finished his scallops/prawns, and part way through his soup the waitress came back and asked if he'd finished, not yet but can you bring my order please! Three small over fried goujons, chips and peas. Had to ask for lemon for the fish, thin sliver brought over. Only condiments on the table salt and pepper, no vinegar, sauces, oils etc. When finished had to wait considerable time for waitress to attend to us, asked for dessert, didnt take that long to arrive. Then waiting and waiting for her to come back so could get the bill. In the end gave up and went to the bar and asked for it. When asked if all ok had to say no service was appalling, he apologised and gave discount on the bill. Felt sorry for others coming in as was getting busy, dread to think how long they would wait for their food. Couple at one table who came in after us must have waiting at least 45-55 mins and was not busy at this time. As for the table of four who got seated near us, they waited over half an hour just for 4 drinks from the bar. Shocking service, and definitely wont be returning tomorrow...