The Stag on the River — Restaurant in Guildford

Update April 2nd 1720

Ricardo - thank you for your reply (of sorts) which is totally inadequate....hardly surprising given the farcical way in which you evidently run things. There's nothing else to discuss save you doing the decent thing and refunding the money that I did pay! The experience you gave my family and I was appalling, the experience of that of at least two other families who complained on the day was also appalling. So please, spare me the sanctimonious 'sorry you were frustrated / drop me an email to discuss further bit...!' You left young staff at the front end of your own organisational and leadership shortcomings without any support last Saturday....where was your manager on the day? He avoided me like the plague instead of having the decency to front up....I paid for the food we eventually got...I should have paid nothing! Disgraceful.

Saturday 30th March Just the worst service ever! Firstly, top marks to Ella for her personal efforts in dealing with a number of very cross customers this Saturday lunchtime, of which I was one. She was left completely without any support from her manager (maybe managers...) yet still managed a smile. I'd booked lunch at 1pm for my wife, daughter and I, a rare get together as my daughter lives in London. Half hour after ordering 2 x burgers and a minute steak, the manager (yep...know your name but I'll save you from the further embarrassment and won't name you) came to us to say our order had been overlooked and we should have it within ten minutes. Fair enough. Half hour later no food, other people arriving after us getting food. So I went and asked him what was going on, said he'd check, never bothered to come back to me. Eventually my wife's steak and my daughters burger turned up, nothing for me....Had to complain to another manager (I presume as she was dressed differently) who said she'd be back with my burger. Never got it and had to then speak to Ella....a burger turned up, 80 minutes after I'd ordered by which time the moment had passed.....then I got a bill with a service charge...Many unhappy customers at The Stag today....feel very sorry for Ella for having to field all the anger from people. The manager's absence from the frontline when people were complaining was as deliberate as it was shameful. Avoid this place....they'd run out of most things on the very basic 11am-3pm menu, including by the way any mayo to go with the burger...total rubbish. I eventually paid for what I had, had the service charge removed....if the manager had anything about him I'd have not been charged anything. Family time is rare, to be valued....today at The Stag what should have been a lovely family lunch in lovely surroundings was totally ruined in every way... Ella? Get yourself a job where you are supported by someone who appreciates the great job you do, rather than taking your efforts for granted as I witnessed...

Country pub it ain't. Maybe located by river but grounds unkempt and car park ridiculously small (part of the over intensification of site). Neither village centre, with village green, or in the open countryside. |Rooms, at least our two, are less than accessible, very steep and uneven stairs (surprised if they would pass modern building regs). Attempt to make room dog friendly - two small bowls, small dog bed and poop bags and bin. But up those stairs with entry and exit through dining area! Room of adequate size but not with the addition of dog bed, which became a constant trip hazard. Arrived on a heatwave day and so could understand how hot the room was. No windows open, perhaps following guidance, but blinds were up and curtains not drawn so room had had full solar gain. There was a fan but it was noisy. Lampshade on table lamp (appears metal - please note from safety view in terms of remainder of comment) loose and only lit when shade moved. Cracked floor tile in en suite toilet and shower, also one light not working. As another reviewer observed, wonderful view of the car park through rotting window frames. |Did not sample the food as other family members went for dinner as I stayed with the dogs. The service was extremely slow, the food very poor and appalling value for money. A similar experience with breakfast, (poorly presented, poor quality ingredients and lack lustre service) so I did not bother having breakfast either. |As already noted the site has been, in my opinion, over intensified. Apart from car park, all outside space is given over to tables, benches, picnic tables and and area covered with 'marquees' for outside dining. The 'marquees' were covered in green, mold growth on the outside and grounds were generally untidy with much rubbish on the ground (everything from cigarette ends to broken pens). Grass (I understand it has been a hot dry summer) was trampled down to dry earth - over use again and not alternative (astro-turf used). Random paving slabs in one area and poorly lit path at lover height than surrounding 'grass', another trip hazard. |The room itself was clean enough, the bed was comfortable (though little used due to accessibility problems). Shower acceptable and toiletries provided (though those in the shower would be difficult for those vertically challenged). |Staff appeared to be working hard and trying to be helpful (except those chatting below the guest rooms at 1:00am). In general, staff appear to need training but again, are they 'running to stand still' to maximise return from the establishment. |Money had obviously been expended in the past but the whole place had a feeling of being tired, needing a good clean in the public areas. Profits need to be re-invested to maintain standard.|We Booked for three night stay, only stayed for one and were relieved...

Is our first time here , we booked for a Christmas Day menu £125 per person we are at last sitting at 4 pm , which means we are the last table to be served , we picked this place because of the menu with what I can have prawn and lobster.

When we arrived to our table and seated 16:05pm our table was tiny and is on the stairs where people passed and i couldn’t moved my chairs back to sit in properly but they have sorted it out by moved us to another table that just became available that’s really kind ,

We order a bottle of red wine to share and large bottle of water , our canapé arrived very quickly , followed with our stater less then 10 mins ,

Our mains arrived around 16:55pm , my starter and mains was perfectly cooked and presented and tasted delicious ,

My partner mains was Worcestershire free range turkey ballotine with only 1 piece of turkey in the middle and it was more fatty layer less turkey meat, he cut it off he couldn’t eat it , all the vegetables and the trimmings That comes with my mains which it a lots to have with just one piece of turkey with fatty layer on it , We didn’t complain or make any comment about it because we understand it’s a special day for everyone and we understand that the restaurant were up early to prepare food for everyone,

No Christmas crackers was given like everyone else ! Our dessert arrived at 17:27 pm , we didn’t bother to ask why and no staff or manager pay any attention to that or even check back on our meals .

We left before 6 pm while there’s still other tables there , On our way home we still talking about Christmas crackers we didn’t have this year it’s suppose to be a traditional how you celebrate Christmas Day with family and loved ones ,

feel that I have to leave this reviews after so many...