The Plume Of Feathers — Restaurant in Epping Forest

I’ve visited my fair share of pubs across the UK, but I must say this was by far the most disappointing experience we’ve had. My family and I recently moved to Loughton, and, eager to explore the local scene, we decided to give this pub a try. Unfortunately, we will never be returning.

We arrived around 11am, having checked online to confirm that the pub opened at that time. We were hoping to get some food for our young child, but upon entering, we were met with poor service right from the start. We greeted the two staff members on duty—one a young blonde waitress, who was polite and friendly, and the other, a darker-haired waitress who merely looked up, rolled her eyes, and returned to her screen. While I could chalk up the latter’s rude behaviour to early morning grumpiness, it left me wondering why someone would work in customer service if they can’t be bothered to engage with patrons.

Things only got worse when we tried to order food. We were told that the kitchen didn’t open until 12pm—despite the pub’s advertised opening time. We had come expecting to order immediately, especially with a hungry little one in tow. Adding to our discomfort, the pub was freezing inside. It’s hard to believe that this was simply a case of the pub needing time to warm up—it was consistently cold, and the lack of any effort to address it was both surprising and off-putting.

After placing a relatively simple order at the bar (two drinks, one appetizer, and three mains), the wait began. It took an hour and a half for my lasagna to arrive, and when it did, it was the vegetarian version—despite my clear request for meat. The waitress insisted that I had ordered the vegetarian option, which was simply untrue. When I politely questioned her, she didn’t acknowledge the mistake and instead insisted I had ordered what was served. After requesting the correct dish, I was told it would take another 30 minutes to prepare. At that point, I had lost all patience and declined the offer, which only seemed to irritate her further.

Meanwhile, my husband’s fish and chips arrived, though he had requested French fries instead of chips. He said it was the worst fish and chips he had ever had. The batter was soggy, the fish was clearly frozen, and it tasted far from fresh. My son’s mini roast, thankfully, was decent, but by then, the experience had been so uncomfortable that we were eager to leave.

To add insult to injury, we had already paid in advance for our meal, but no one offered to refund us the difference for the food we didn’t receive. We had to go up to the bar ourselves and ask for the adjustment.

In summary, this was an absolutely dreadful experience. The service was inattentive and unprofessional, the food was subpar at best, and the environment was uncomfortable to say the least. I’m usually understanding as someone who works in hospitality myself, but this experience left a lot to be desired. I can’t help but feel that the staff—particularly the manager—could benefit from some serious training on how to treat customers with courtesy and respect.

We will not be returning, and I would strongly recommend others to avoid this pub as well. There are far better options in the area that actually make you...

I wish I could actually leave negative stars on this venue. To say we were disappointed is an understatement. The venue was busy on arrival most people at the bar were ordering Drinks not food. We sat outside and half of the tables had people sitting at them these started to disperse shortly after we arrived. When the rest of our party arrived we went into the building which had now emptied out. We went to our table, I noticed as I walked through that there were there were a few guest sitting on one side of the restaurant. However, we were the only customers in the other side. We made our choices and went to order at the bar. It took 20 mins for the order to be put through the till. A further hour for our starters to be served. The calamari must have been in the deep fat fryer for the whole hour because it was very over cooked. Starters over we had a half and hour wait for the next course which came after we asked them to clear the table. In fact she took a plate and brought the next course then cleared another plate, so on and so forth. 2 of the main courses were inedible but we had had enough of waiting by that point. We were told the kitchen closed at 9 so we could not order dessert,even though we had been in the premises since 730pm. We asked to speak to the manager who to be frank was dismissive and made us feel like it was our fault that it took 20mins for the bar to order our food. She then went on to say they had been so busy and so many people had ordered food they had a shed load of food to get out and only had one chef. She stated. She had not eaten herself all day and that her chef had been there all day and was now scrubbing the kitchen! (Mmmmmm. A) we are the customer b) not our problem c) employ more staff if you can't cope) The manager apologised and asked what else she could do apart from apologise! She offered no compensation. She did refund us for the pulled pork nacho dish as they didn't have the full ingredients. When I questioned why the menu said that food was served till 10 she stated it was wrong they were massmproduced and sue couldn't do anything about it and their kitchen always closed at 9pm, they assumed guest new this. The toilets were dirty and the toilet doors in the men's don't lock. My father has a stoma and needs privacy in the bathroom, this could not be found here. Ember inns need to seriously shake this place up, they have overworked staff and an innafective manager. My niece's Birthday was...

Immersed in the heart of England, The Plume of Feathers embodies all that is exceptional about British hospitality. This distinct venue consistently provides an unparalleled dining and lodging experience that exudes both charm and grace, effortlessly winning over the hearts of locals and travellers alike.

Upon arrival, you're immediately welcomed into a world rich in history and comfort. This is a place where authenticity and tradition intertwine, creating an atmosphere that's as inviting as it is nostalgic. The Plume of Feathers, with its centuries-old architecture and lovingly preserved decor, speaks volumes of the quintessential British pub experience. It is a testament to a time when life moved slower, conversations were richer, and every patron was treated like family.

Of the many jewels in The Plume of Feather's crown, two in particular stand out – the exceptional staff members, Maisey and Zara. Their warm smiles and friendly demeanour immediately make you feel like you've known them for years. Maisey’s impeccable attention to detail and knack for remembering customers' preferences adds a personalised touch that truly elevates the experience. Zara, on the other hand, breathes life into the tales of the venue with her knowledgeable recounts of its storied past. Her passion for the establishment and her role within it is palpable, adding an additional layer of allure to the narrative of The Plume of Feathers.

The menu is a divine homage to British culinary tradition, infused with a contemporary twist that tantalizes the taste buds. Each dish reflects an uncompromising commitment to quality and freshness, a testament to the chefs’ skills and creativity. Coupled with an impressive selection of fine ales and wines, your dining experience promises to be one of remarkable...