The Nelson — Restaurant in Ipswich

I was fortunate enough to be invited out with my peers for a post-lockdown meal at this finely named establishment. The building looks impressive from the exterior even though it is situated next to a busy road, unfortunately this is where the good points swiftly ended; rule numero Uno: Don't judge a book by its cover (something I also found out about people with Adams apples in Thailand but we wont go there). Upon entering the building we were immediately heckled by staff for coming in the rear entrance (another Thailand story) when it was apparently out of bounds, there were absolutely no signs stating this at all. Once all 6 were bums on seats we swiftly ordered drinks and subsequent food via the new Covid app which was meant to take away headaches and movement around the pub. Our drinks were bought over and then 5 of the food dishes. However the 6th meal that came over was incorrect. We highlighted this and the waitress scurried off to the kitchen to check it, she then came back slightly flustered and asked so see our order. This basically went on for the next 10-15 minutes, with the waitress going to the kitchen at least three times and then asking to see proof of our order via email (which you are meant to get when purchasing), however the emails (as I have now learnt) don't come through until the next day. So instead of just exchanging the meal to what the young chap wanted the waitress seemed under pressure/direction to give us the alternative meal! Once this debacle has subsided I felt like I had been in a Naval Napoleonic Wartime battle, maybe this is why the pub has such a name. Once the battle felt like a distance memory we were asked to leave by staff due to the table being booked by someone else. Furthermore, the next day one of my peers was phoned up and asked to pay for 4x beverages that apparently were not paid for at the time due to an error on their system, an absolute cherry on the top. Lord Nelson you may have won your battle, but you have certainly lost this war my good Naval...

We stay in Ipswich fairly often and since our beloved pub the brewery tap closed down at cliff quay we have been searching for a new watering hole. We arrived at the Lord Nelson at around 6on on a Tuesday evening. I appreciate Tuesdays can be quiet but considering this pubs location we were disappointed to see only three customers in the pub and these were sat at the bar There was no ambience at all, no chirpy greeting from the barmaid, no banter at all at the bar by the three customers and all in all nothing that tempted us to stay, never mind eat. Such a shame, years ago this was a thriving little pub but then the owners changed. The new owners then (complete with Rottweiler) soon put paid to our patronage and we found a different venue which has now also sadly gone. Pubs need all the custom they can get and not everyone expects beautifully decorated surroundings but they do want decent serving staff, some atmosphere and well kept products. This pub has been decorated really well and certainly presented itself as quite clean but unfortunately that is all we got here from our list of requirements. The beer was cloudy and only just drinkable and my soft drink was offered to me with the grubby glass and the bottle with the cap removed. I could have done that myself at home. I wanted friendly service, I wanted atmosphere and I wanted a quality assured product to drink. Sadly this pub did not give us this and so our search for a decent watering hole continues. I’m sorry to sound so negative, there is nothing more I want than to patronise pubs as they need all the support they can get but it still requires some effort from the...

Been here a few times and rated it, nice food, even stayed loyal and helped out the business by ordering takeaway roasts during lockdown. Placed a reservation 2 days ago for today, and this afternoon they've called us to cancel our booking as they've taken a large group booking and now can't accommodate us! Jess (I think) that phoned wasn't interested and cut my wife off when she tried to speak, very rude. I understand a large group will be worth money to them, but you don't cancel the bookings you've already taken with barely any notice! Now our dinner plans are out the window. It's a real shame, but won't be returning to them, and possibly not to the others in their chain if that's their attitude to...