The Cuckoo — Restaurant in Huntingdonshire

Came for lunch with a friend, unfortunately service wasn't as expected. It was cold where we sat and I said some thing to the lady who sat us who said she would sort out the heaters, nobody came back to sort it. My friend was going to have the lamb but unfortunately they didnt have any left, these things happen and chose something else instead. I asked about the sausage as I fancied sausage and mash, but do only like good quality butchers sausages, so I asked a waitress about them. She replies they are pork sausages, but she would check and came back and said yes from the butchers so I asked to them well done, not burnt (not pink either as I've seen this elsewhere). They came out and they were burnt! They were also not high quality either in my opinion. I ate the mash and gravy which was ok. The waitress came back to courtesy check us and id eaten the mash by then and the sausages were left, I lifted the plate over to her and advised the sausages were burnt and I did say well done not burnt, I also advised they were cheap sausages aswell. The waitress just said 'shall I leave them here?' which was strange (wasn't a young waitress, she was older) to which I responded, 'well I don't want them'! No apology, no offer of if I would like anything different. We didnt even get asked if we needed any other drinks, so I sat half the meal without anything to eat or drink. I personally didn't think the waitress seemed very happy, but you know it's a pressurised environment at times so who knows. When my friend asked for the bill it was brought over to us promptly and I advised we were going to split the bill, so I looked at mine and the full price of the meal was on there! (Good service would have sorted that out prior to the bill). So I naturally said 'Im not paying £15 something for some mashed potato and gravy?!' The waitress responded with 'they were cooked the way you requested' to which I responded with 'they were burnt. I said well done not burnt. He (my friend) is a Chef and even he said they were burnt! I've worked in this industry for 20 years'to which the waitress said 'I will have to speak to manager '. The waitress came back and said she had taken the whole meal off. I said 'I will pay a tip then to cover the mash I had'. My friend paid his but included my drink which I was unaware. I asked the waitress if she could take a payment for the tip. The waitress responded with 'not now that the payment has been taken'. I'm sure the waitress could have processed a card payment for and it could have been processed through the till under misc. I would like to note the waitress was never rude, but the service absolutely could have been better, the food was what it was. I certainly know that when I've had people who weren't happy with their food, I've apologised, taken the food away and said I will let the Chef know. Gone back to the customer to let them know what the Chef has said and what the options are for the customer. We had none of that. To note: there was not a great selection on lunch time sandwiches either, only 3 which I thought was quite poor - steak, fish fingers or veg option. Fair play to the Manager for rectifying the issue straight away, but would of expected better service from...

A Most Splendiferous Encounter at The Cuckoo - A Review of Aristocratic Magnitude

Upon a serendipitous saunter into the humble yet spirited establishment known as The Cuckoo, nestled somewhere between pastoral whimsy and suburban necessity, I found myself enraptured - not by the ale (which was, mind you, most potable) - but by the incandescent Tina, a barmaid of such unparalleled grace and genteel fortitude that one might suspect she were born of nobility and simply moonlighting for sport.

Clad in the understated regalia of her trade, Tina bore the gravitas of a duchess and the efficiency of a Swiss chronometer. Her approach was swift, yet unhurried - like a Rolls-Royce gliding through a summer mist. With a mere flick of her wrist and a twinkle in her eye, she summoned forth a pint of bitter so beautifully poured it brought a tear to the monocle I do not own but feel I should have had.

Her knowledge of both beverages and bar-based banter was encyclopaedic. When I inquired, half in jest, about the provenance of the scampi fries, she regaled me with a soliloquy so compelling I momentarily forgot I was in a pub and not a candlelit symposium at Oxford.

And oh! The way she handled the rabble - charming the lads, rebuffing the inebriates, orchestrating the chaos with the deftness of a seasoned conductor at the Royal Albert Hall. A veritable symphony of service.

Should one ever find themselves within even a hundred-mile radius of The Cuckoo, I implore you - nay, command you - to make pilgrimage and allow yourself the honour, the privilege, of being served by Lady Tina, High Priestess of Pints and Empress of Excellent Vibes.

In summary: five out of five stars, and a...

During my recent visit to The Cuckoo, I had the distinct pleasure of being served by Tina, whose level of professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine warmth exemplifies what exceptional customer service should look like. From the outset, Tina displayed a rare blend of efficiency and charm that immediately set the tone for an outstanding dining experience.

She approached our table with an inviting demeanor, seamlessly balancing friendliness with a refined professionalism. Her knowledge of the menu was both impressive and helpful—she offered thoughtful, tailored recommendations that demonstrated not just familiarity with the offerings, but a keen awareness of individual preferences and dietary considerations. Her timing was impeccable throughout the evening; she was always available when needed, yet never intrusive—a true testament to her intuition and experience in hospitality.

What truly distinguished Tina, however, was the care she put into the finer details. Whether it was ensuring our drinks were perfectly prepared, anticipating additional requests before we had to ask, or checking in with a genuine interest in our experience, she elevated what might have been a routine meal into something memorable and meaningful.

In a time when great service is too often the exception rather than the rule, Tina stands out as a consummate professional who clearly takes pride in her role. I sincerely hope her efforts are recognized, as they reflect extraordinarily well on both her and the establishment as a whole.

Without hesitation, I will be returning—and when I do, I’ll be requesting Tina’s section. Service like hers deserves to...