The Seven Stars Hotel — Restaurant in Exeter

I rang to book a party. They said someone would call me back. A few days later the manager called me back. The party was booked and there was no mention of a deposit, I also forgot to ask about it. About a week before the party I tried to call to ask about a deposit but there was no answer. I tried again on the Monday and left an answer machine message asking them to call me back about a deposit as I had heard nothing. Nobody from the pub called me back. That Saturday we arrived at the pub and the male behind the bar informed me that they had been trying to call me all week to sort out a deposit. He stated that as they couldn’t get hold of me, the booking was cancelled. I had not received one call, voicemail or message from anyone at the pub since I had booked the party with the manager. I showed him the call I had made to them on the Monday. He then went to get a laptop and showed me what was meant to be my number that they had stored. The number was incorrect so they hadn’t been calling me. It was their error. Somehow between the manager calling me when I booked the party and the date of the party they had stored my number incorrectly. He then said he would talk to the chef and see if they could make us some food. He came back a few minutes later and said that they could make us some food but that one of the items of food that was originally on the menu for the gold buffet we ordered wasn’t available. He didn’t offer an alternative or a reduction in price for the unavailable item, he just seemed to think it was acceptable. I had to ask for an alternative for the unavailable item. He then agreed to do this. They did provide food in the end and it was good food. Overall it was a stressful experience booking a party with The Seven Stars. Their lack of communication did not make for a great start to the party. I wouldn’t recommend this pub for a party.

A few days after we initially booked a party with The Seven Stars, myself and my husband went there for a meal one evening. We hadn’t pre booked a table but when we walked inside there was only 2/3 people in there. Lots of empty tables. The male behind the bar stated that we could have a table if we could be out again in one hour as they had a booking in an hour. We were advised to use the app at the table to order our food. Our food arrived without our drinks. We waited a while for the drinks to come over. Eventually I went up to the bar (defeating the object of the app). The male stated that the tickets don’t always show the drinks. If this is a known issue then why is not being sorted out? We got our drinks from the bar. My husband had paid extra for seasoned fries. The fries arrived without seasoning so we asked the waitress to sort this. She took the fries into the kitchen and they dumped some seasoning on the top of them and brought them back out. There was a couple sat close behind us that seemed to be having issues too and were having to go up to the bar to get things rectified. The food was ok but not really anything special. We won’t be returning for...

I found a recent visit to seven stars wholly unsatisfactory in terms of the attitude of the staff who were confrontational and rude on many occasions.

This started on arrival when I was told I had to track and trace, when I offered to give my name and telephone number I was told I must use the NHS track and trace app or I would be refused entry in a very aggressive manner by the female member of staff who "greeted" us at the door, when I queried this I was informed it was the rules. Unfortunately this is contrary to the guidelines as set out by the government and they are required to provide an alternative for people who do not have the app.

I thus could see I wasn't getting anywhere and stood at the door while I downloaded the app and checked in, once this was complete I was asked if I was dining, when I advised I was meeting someone for drinks only I was told I must sit outside (in the cold and wet) as despite the pub being half empty all tables inside were for diners only and was directed to a table where they would take my order and I could take my drinks outside, while sat there I noticed the friend I was meeting (a regular customer at this venue) sat down in his usual area of the bar with his drink, so apparently the "only food customers inside" was not universally enforced and he came outside to sit with us for the evening.

Finally as last orders approached I attempted to order a drink on the app so as to not have to approach the bar as is preferred by all in the current COVID climate and was unable to make it work, as I approached the bar to place an order the bell was rung and I was informed in no short order that the bar was closed, upon trying to explain the situation regarding the app I was basically told to go away and would not be served. As we were drinking up we were borderline thrown out at 9.45 and given the reason "staff have to be out by 10 or we all get fined" that is a flst out lie, all customers have to leave by 10, not 9.45 and we then had to wait in the cold for 25 minutes for a taxi as the staff were making up legislation as they went.

I understand with all the rules that hospitality is a difficult industry to work in and I am far from a COVID denier and follow the rules but the attitude of staff in Seven Stars was appalling and disgraceful and I certainly am unlikely to give them my custom again in the near future and would recommend others follow suit. Being polite and a offering a little respect to people who are customers is not too...

Very disappointed with the food - overcooked/ burnt chicken, undercooked veg, including cauliflower cheese, although tried the sauce and it only tasted of nutmeg or whatever was added, certainly not cheese. It was a treat for my grandchildren who I am now cooking for as they ate so little! I tried to get them to eat their chicken but both immensely dislike burnt anything!

I was given some money back but I must say Ashton was extremely attentive and was going backwards and forwards to arrange the refund, well done Ashton you were so courteous and understanding, you should be proud of yourself! For you alone I would give ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.

My big QUESTION is where was the Management? I have worked extensively in the food industry and the one thing I would never have done is throw any of my staff under the bus, this sort of complaint is ALWAYS for Management to deal with, not to be invisible!

We won’t be back sadly, even though you refunded me £10 out of the £25. I still felt what we did manage to eat (roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy plus 2 scoops ice cream) was in no way worth £15. I was not about to dispute this further as felt it was not fair on Ashton to be a go between!

Praise...