Wheatstone Inn — Restaurant in Gloucester

Review #1 (19/09/23). Went to The Wheatstone to scope it out for our Wedding Anniversary lunch 2 weeks later. We received a warm welcome from Paul B and found the service attentive but not overbearing. Thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and decided to book for Sunday lunch on 1st October for us, our daughter, son-in-law and 2 grand daughters. We explained to Paul B that our grandchildren had specific needs and he informed us that the menu could be tweaked to meet these needs, e.g. no potatoes, raw veg and extra Yorkshire puddings could be made available. It was also agreed that as we were booking for 4pm after the midday rush, we could book a specific table. He made all these notes on the booking screen and we left very satisfied that our Wedding Anniversary family Sunday lunch would be a raving success. Well done Paul B! 4 stars all round.

Review #2 (01/10/23). We arrived for our Wedding Anniversary family Sunday lunch full of expectation, which was dashed from the first minute, got worse as the afternoon unfolded and left us totally disappointed! The Host was unwelcoming, told us we couldn't have the table we had booked and tried to move us elsewhere. He did relent and grudgingly let us sit where we had booked. Then he told us there were no Yorkshire puddings - an integral part of Sunday lunch. We asked about alternatives, but we're told quite firmly that they couldn't offer a replacement element. So we asked if there would be a price reduction for an advertised element to the meal that wasn't available - "no can't do that!". So we were expected to pay full price for an incomplete meal? Yes. We asked to see the Manager who also repeated " We can't do that" to every reasonable request. Had it not been so late in the day, we would have upped sticks and walked out, but as the rest of the family had travelled from Bristol and had to get back, we opted to stay, hoping that the quality of the meal would put some shine back on the day. Things seemed to get better when the Manger quietly ("so no other customers could hear") told us he would substitute some Cauliflower Cheese for the Yorkshire puddings at no extra charge. Well we ate the meal - the meat elements were tasty enough, the veg (2 slices of carrot, a slither of parsnip, some peas and a microscopic piece of broccoli) was uninspiring, the "roast potatoes", which were skins-on new potatoes which had been boiled, rubbed with a bit of fat and then put in the oven were really unappetising, so the main course fell way way below expectations. The raw carrot for the grandchildren had probably been cut at about 11am and left to dry out in the kitchen all day - they were inedible.The puds were OK. So, not the best meal out ever. One lesson from this experience - don't book Sunday lunch for 4pm, because you'll probably be served left-overs! Lessons for The Wheatstone: provide better training for your staff - "hospitality" means making people feel welcome and special. It was our Wedding Anniversary and this was noted on the booking screen - we didn't expect a marching band, but a bit of acknowledgement from the host(ile) wouldn't have been too...

I had high expectations of the wheatstone inn, as I had looked through the gluten free menu in advance. However upon arrival I was told there was no physical menu I could look at so would have to access it on my phone. This would mean I would have to be the antisocial one at the table with my phone out. Bit shortsighted of the restaurant but oh well. I ordered the smoked chicken and ham hock terrine as starter. With the signature burger to follow. The terrine arrived and I was, to say the least, underwhelmed. The piece of terrine I received was tiny, I had more onion chutney than terrine. However I did get a rather nice roll which turned out to be a genius wholegrain. The terrine had a good flavour and the chutney wasn't overly sweet. So all in not a bad dish, just would have been nice to have a bit more of the terrine.

On to the burger, again I got the genius wholegrain roll with a single piece of tomato and some chopped lettuce and several whole rings of red onion. The burger was thick and substantial but I was missing the slow cooked rib of beef with merlot and beef dripping gravy. I asked the waitress about this and she spoke to the kitchen. The chef said he had thought the gravy wasn't GF but as it was on the GF menu this would have been a bit weird. I was given a portion of the beef to top my burger, but still no gravy! I then started in on the mash and would confidently say it had been microwaved as it still had the form of a plastic container. All in the burger had a good flavour but the addition of a GF brioche bun or sourdough bun might make it feel a bit more special. I also got a small pot of what was supposed to be mayo but I had a strange flavour, so left that well alone. Don't bother with the mash it was dry and had little to no taste.

Dessert time and I was looking forward to trying the caramelized cheesecake. Honestly the best part of the meal. The slice was just the right size to finish me off. The caramel on top was light and not to thick. The ball of ice cream just the right size to compliment the main show and the raspberry coulis (sauce) just tart enough to cut through it all.

As for the atmosphere and decor at the wheatstone it could do with a refresh. The seat we were on had a large rip in it and the paint on the walls could do with a fresh coat.

All in if your staying at the premier inn behind and don't fancy going beyond the car park the wheatstone is ok. However there are many better options within a 10 minute drive of the location that I'd be more than happy to recommend.

Additionally, the owners response whilst void of punctuation. They mentioned that the mayo has marmite in it. If this is true it has no place being on a gluten free menu. Marmite is known to contain wheat. So if it is in the may this may trigger a reaction for anyone with a wheat allergy. It isn't mentioned in the online menu, it is just...

My family and I recently visited The Wheatstone in Gloucester for a special occasion, hoping to enjoy a memorable meal together. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of our expectations.

The quality of the food was extremely disappointing. Both the main course and the children's dessert were subpar, with the latter being completely inedible. This was particularly disappointing considering the price we paid for the meal. We were hoping for a meal that would enhance our special occasion, but instead, we left feeling dissatisfied and disheartened.

To add to matters, the service was lacking. Despite our repeated attempts to address our concerns with the staff, they seemed more interested in socializing behind the bar than attending to our needs. Our requests for assistance were met with indifference, which only added to our frustration. This level of inattentiveness and lack of professionalism is unacceptable, especially in a setting where customer service should be a priority.

In light of our disappointing experience, I reached out to the head office to express my concerns. I was pleased with their prompt response and willingness to listen to our feedback. It was clear that they took our concerns seriously and were committed to addressing the issues we encountered. However, I felt that there were still significant improvements needed at The Wheatstone in terms of both food quality and customer service to prevent similar experiences for other patrons.

Despite our initial disappointment, we decided to give The Wheatstone another chance for my brother's birthday. I am delighted to report that our subsequent visit was a complete turnaround. The team went out of their way to ensure that everything was perfect, making the occasion truly special. The quality of the food improved remarkably, and each dish was delicious and well-prepared, meeting the high standards we had initially expected.

The service was exceptional, with the staff being attentive, friendly, and professional throughout our visit. Special thanks to Sam, Paul M, and Niall for their outstanding efforts. They ensured that every aspect of our dining experience was enjoyable and stress-free. Their dedication to providing excellent service did not go unnoticed, and their personal touch made my brother’s birthday celebration memorable.

Overall, while our initial visit was disappointing, the significant improvements made during our subsequent visit have restored our confidence in The Wheatstone. It is clear that the team is capable of delivering a high-quality dining experience and is committed to customer satisfaction. Based on this experience, we are happy to recommend The Wheatstone and will be returning...