The Oat Hill — Restaurant in Harborough

I’d been here a few years ago and revisited based on enjoying the food etc last time. I was really disappointed. We were a large group that had booked for a special occasion. I didn’t notify the team when I booked because I didn’t think I needed to. We waited over half an hour later than our booking to be seating which I appreciate on a busy day can happen but then we could’ve had our food order taken so we were served quicker when we did get to our table.

The food was nice enough but the prices seem to have gone up a lot with some of the starters costing as much as a main meal.

The website quotes on how good their service is but unfortunately we didn’t feel this. No one came to see about drinks. Our table was covered in glasses for service all which were in the way and my partner ended up clearing them to make way for our food. Food wait was long and a few things had run out by the time our order was taken.

It was extremely disappointing as we had gone for a special occasion. I assumed I didn’t need to say this when booking to be able to get even a basic level of service.

It is a nice place and I did enjoy my previous visits however I’m unlikely...

This is a really good setting. The restaurant is nicely lit and laid out and the bar is a great space with lovely furniture. We were a group of four and everyone was happy with their food. A few thoughts: the staff seemed inexperienced and lacking some basic knowledge and training. They were lovely personalities and just need a bit of guidance. There was no wine list and no information about types of wine or prices and the waiter didn't have the information to hand. The wine was delivered by a nervous looking waitress who said nothing and simply put the wine on the tables with dirty glasses. The tables were sticky, I think we were the first sitting but they shouldn't be tacky anyway. I know this will sound strange but portions are too big. An overloaded plate might play well in a pub serving basic quality. Maybe that's the issue, what's this place aiming to be? It looks like a bistro pub and it's not far off being that. Some training for staff, improved cleanliness, a wine list, and it would have been a four or five star experience. The prices were reasonable and we had...

A wholly awful experience, shocking service and attitude and very, very child unfriendly.

Our disgraceful experience started by one of the barman suggesting to another customer that children are not appreciated, "the lady said to the barman, you don't see children here very often, to which he replied that's how we like to keep it" so I didn't feel our party of 6 was very welcome.

However, we ordered anyway, 40 minutes later the children's meals arrived, 15 minutes later our meals still hadn't arrived, when we initially made the staff aware of this, no one checked to see why, another 5 minutes later when challenged again a supervisor went to check. He came back with a ridiculous excuse, that the chef thought the children's orders were starters, unbelievable.

When I asked him about his staff comments re our children, his reply was I'm sure he was joking.

I'm totally disgusted with our whole experience and we left to eat...