Wych Elm — Restaurant in Lichfield

Normally I would give 4 stars. But tonight I have never been so disappointed. We go fo the Wych Elm at least once a week....usually twice.... we consider ourselves as regulars. Its Christmas Eve and we got there with friends at 3pm...tried to order food at 5.20pm ( we ALWAYS eat there because the food is very good and value for money) but we were told that food finished at 5pm. There was nothing to tell us there was no food after 5pm...the menus were still out and the bar staff didn't mention it during the 2hrs we were there prior to 5pm. We did complain and the manager showed up...he was aggressive. Said it was on the web site that there was no food after 5pm so we looked and there was no mention of it! He said he's here 6 days a week...well he may be on the premises but VERY rarely seen behind the bar at weekends. We have seen a Saturday night where a waitress phoned in sick and the 2 barstaff had to cope with serving, clearing tables, taking food orders and waiting on tables with no sign of the manager. We tried to voice our complaint to which he wouldn't listen...he just walked away. Desserts were still coming out. We didn't expect a free drink or any kind of compensation but an apology would have been appropriate, I think. His customer service skills are nil. How difficult is it to say " sorry about the misunderstanding, I will make sure everyone is aware of this next year?"??!!! I must say the bar staff and waiting on staff are brilliant and work really hard. That has totally ruined our Christmas eve at our chosen local. HAPPY SODDING CHRISTMAS. Reading other reviews I see he's been appressive to several other customers as well. This is a great shame because the pub, food and most of the staff are superb. Very disappointed. Don't expect a response from the manager...he's totally...

Only given one star because zero isn't an option.

Visited Christmas Day, pre-booked meal for 5. On arrival we SPECIFICALLY asked what the procedure was. We were told to take a seat at our table, and the food would be brought out to us. The starters arrived fairly quickly. This was the only positive thing about our visit. Prawn cocktails were basic, the prawns and salad were warm. The butter for the bread was melted and unusable. After the table was cleared we sat and waited for the main course to arrive. We were supplied with fresh cutlery by one of the waitresses. And we waited..... After 15 minutes I approached the bar to ask where the mains were, only to be told that we had to queue at the carvery to get our food, contrary to what we were told on arrival. There was barely any turkey, and it was dry and inedible. The Yorkshire puddings were flat and soggy. We had to wait 10 minutes for roast potatoes, and when they arrived they were uncooked. Another bowl was brought out, they were full of grease. There was no gravy, and no cranberry sauce - again we had to wait. By this time our food was cold. Everything was inedible. My wife asked to speak to the manager on 4 occasions, but apparently she was too busy to come down. We were, eventually, provided with a refund and we left. There were many other customers who were clearly as upset and dissatisfied as we were. Essentially we paid £200 for the most shocking dining experience we've ever had. The fact that the manager flatly refused to come and speak to us is absolutely disgusting, and I suggest that they are probably not suited to the role if they can't deal with complaints. The front of house staff were badly let down. It was our first time visiting the Wych Elm, and it...

I've had the pleasure of visiting The Wych Elm pub on several occasions, and I must say, it's consistently exceeded my expectations! From the moment we walk in, we're greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere that makes us feel right at home.

Food and Drink: The menu is diverse and delicious, with plenty of options to suit all tastes. We've tried everything from classic pub fare to more adventurous dishes, and every bite has been a delight. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to offer recommendations, and the service is always prompt and friendly.

Family-Friendly: What truly sets The Wych Elm apart is its family-friendly atmosphere. The staff are accommodating and welcoming to children, and the pub has a lovely play area that's perfect for little ones to burn off energy. We've spent many happy hours here with our kids, enjoying meals and making memories.

Dog-Friendly: And it's not just families that are welcome - our furry friends are too! The staff are dog-lovers themselves, and they go out of their way to make sure our four-legged companions feel included. We've enjoyed many a pint in the beer garden with our pup by our side.

Overall Environment: The Wych Elm is more than just a pub - it's a community hub. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, with a great mix of locals and visitors and the beer garden is a lovely spot to enjoy a drink on a sunny day.

In short, The Wych Elm is a true gem. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly pub, a dog-friendly spot, or just a great place to enjoy a meal and a pint, this pub ticks all the boxes. We'll be back again soon!

5 stars isn't enough - I'd give it 10...