The Star Hotel — Restaurant in Lichfield

Really not good enough. Reserved a table for 12 online at £5 per head. Arrived at Star Inn to be questioned whether we wanted the Christmas meal or not but they "Couldn't get hold of us as our phone number had a digit missing". Well, we had email confirmation of our booking so even if that was true why not email us? We didn't want the Christmas meal which was lucky for them as they didn't have any left. We were annoyed to find out that a large brass band would be performing right next to us as we ate. (in such a small pub this is just ridiculous). Tried to order food via their QR code on the table but the prices were more expensive than on the actual cardboard menu. We decided to write the orders down with prices so that nothing could be forgotten. While ordering we were told that 50% of what we wanted was not available so we chose alternative dishes that no one was really 100% happy about ordering. Food served on non warm plates and about what you'd expect from a JD Wetherspoon at a third of the price. Gammon barely cooked, steak of poor gristle quality (Bare in mind this place isn't cheap). One meal missing, which they questioned whether we actually ordered yet THEY told us THAT was the "Last steak" themselves when we ordered it (Also 12 people need 12 meals right?) We were not charged for the missing meal though. When we got home we realised that they hadn't taken off the £60 deposit so phoned the next day to be told that they had JUST realised this themselves (Sure, OK?!) and that they couldn't refund it back to our credit card over the phone "Due to data protection". Which of course is absolute nonsense and completely incorrect. Had to drive back to Star Inn for them to refund us in person. They then couldn't even refund us back to our credit card and had to give us cash. A small percentage of this could all be forgiven but for so much to go wrong is just ridiculous and is why I felt the need to write this review. I don't know why I ever bother trying to go out for a meal anymore when "The professionals" can't even...

We're all a bit confused about what happened on our visit to The Star today.

We prebooked a table for 9 people for Boxing Day lunch several weeks before and were asked to preorder all our food as well, which we did.

On the day, we arrived a few minutes before our reservation time of 1pm. I ordered drinks and also checked with the staff that they were aware that we had arrived and was assured that the kitchen was preparing our food.

By 1:45pm no food had arrived. Instead one of the staff came over to say that two of our preordered desserts were not available and we had two choose from only two other options left instead.

By 2pm still no food so we asked at the bar for an update. By 2:15 still no food or any update so we asked two other staff for an update, this time in stronger terms.

By 2:20 still no update or food. Annoyed and hungry, we decided to call it a day and got up to leave. Two bowls of soup arrived but we were already to miffed and arranging a refund.

To be fair the staff gave our refund without a fuss and apologised.

What we are confused about is what's the point of preordering? If you know what time we will arrive and what food we all want ahead of time, how can it take well over an hour for it to arrive? How can some of the food not be available? And why couldn't someone just tell us what was going on?

It's baffling.

It's going to be very difficult for us to ever...

Whenever I visit a new pub/ restaurant I look for 3 things. Clean tables Bar cleanliness Toilets

Firstly booked a table for 8 Tables were sticky maybe from cleaning and rim of table as most institutions do not clean under the table

At bar fairly clean yet bar pulls edges have a crust of stale beer and draught brass affect pulls clean on top yet base on bar unclean and more crusting of old ale. Surprised that there are no beer flies.

Gents toilets or any institution should have clean fresh toilets- here the ammonia and urine smell is overwhelming. Maybe not cleaned for weeks?

Food order placed 1 hour to arrive with apologies. Lack of staff maybe responsible.

Food arrives on cold plates, undercooked chips peas and steak/chicken ordered.

We asked for 1 order to be replaced. Staff pleasant and happy to do so even offered desserts gratis at end of meal

Beer served had no head. Probably cause glassware not cleaned correctly in glass wash. Head lasted less than a minute even without someone drinking it. Have attached photos please make your own decision on...