The Imperial - JD Wetherspoon — Restaurant in Exeter

Overall this is a beautiful space. It is a grand old house with beautiful charm and a large beer garden. The toilets were a bit messy but nothing awful just toilet paper on the floor one loose toilet seat and soap on the counters but for a pub this size that probably happens quite quickly.

I visited the pub in the afternoon as part of a large group celebrating with a lunch. It is very much still what you expect a large menu with staple pub fare and cheaper than average drinks. I was surprised at the lack of gluten free options or labelling. This is because 13 years ago when I was first diagnosed as coeliac they were one of the first chains to label gluten free options on the menu and they had a surprising amount of choice at the time.

Accordingly, I consulted the online allergy menu that was a little clunky but allows you to filter the menu by allergens, which was a nice touch. As a vegetarian I was surprised at how small the choice was now but they still had the good old staple of jacket potato. What I was surprised at was the staffs lack of knowledge about allergens. When I asked about gluten free two members of staff (one a supervisor) seemed surprised and said they didn't know. I showed them the allergy menu and they said it's up to you if you trust it.

Now as a coeliac I accept the risk in most places is mine. Normally though staff can tell me whether the ingredients are at least gluten free even if the kitchen handles other allergens. When the meal came out the staff had the salad dressing in a separate pot and said they were unsure if it was gluten free. I was greatful they had separated it and they were really polite throughout but it was a bit concerning the kitchen has no idea about a quite common dietary allergy question.

In general the consensus in the group was the food was okay but nothing special (I was the only allergens I think and my potato was fine but then it is just a potato and unadorned green salad so hard to get wrong).

Also not the fault of the venue but the area is plagued with gulls so don't eat outside.

Would I go back? For a drink maybe...

We've been here a few times and it's been reasonable each time. This time we sat outside on a warm Thursday late afternoon. There was reasonable effort to separate out smoking and non smoking eating areas which was appreciated. As well as a range of shaded/covered and open areas.

The outside seating area is predominantly on grass slopes and uneven meaning that the tables aren't ideal for drinks to be placed on. And there seems to be a huge number of seagulls locally pestering diners/drinkers. Obviously this is not the venues fault, but the poor/lack of management of the outdoor area exacerbates this. Servers often returned to the kitchen after bringing out food without making any effort to clear vacated tables. There were a lot of tables left for over 15 minutes with no patrons and left behind food. Most frustratingly there were a number of staff in alternative dress carrying bodycams (I would suppose based on that, some form of supervisor/manager) who appeared the most unaware of vacated space, who would come out and deliver 2 drinks to a table and then return inside empty handed ignoring the birds and empty glasses. Around table 463 I would say over 50% of tables without customer but were covered in...

The Imperial, with its rolling lawn, plentiful outdoor seating, and garden setting, is a pub with an estate or country club feel, yet the food is very reasonably priced. The set up is interesting. You identify your table number (which is embossed in the corner of your table) and eiither go to the bar or go to the Whetherspoon pub app to order your food and drink and pay for it upfront. No one, by the way, tells you this. No one even acknowledges you. You have to stop them to ask what you're supposed to do. Once you get that right, table service commences. This information should be well posted so you don't stand around looking confused. Now, to the food. I had the Quinoa Salad with added grilled halluome cheese. It really was a nice flavorful dish. But, unfortunately, the rice was not cooked. Had I had time and not trying to also catch a train, I would have said something. I would not rule out this place and I'm sure they would have been accommodating concerning my dish. Just be aware of how they operate. You got that, you...