Box Bar Kitchen — Restaurant in Lillingstone Dayrell with Luffield Abbey

I never complain in restaurants or leave bad reviews. I’m the type of person to just eat it if they bring me the wrong meal. However, I’m so disappointed with my experience. It started with a text system saying to reply with ‘here’ and then we’d get a text when our table was ready. After waiting for over 15 minutes, I noticed that people were going up the host station and being seated immediately. I went up to ask and then we were seated. Not sure how long we would’ve waited if not.

We waited a while to order, the menu was more expensive and less varied than what we’d seen online. After we ordered it was a bit of a wait for the food. When the food came out we had to ask where our drinks were. We also had to bring them back over to ask for sauce. Halfway through our meal, my husband’s drink arrived but not mine. Mine finally arrived as I was finishing my food.

We then waited an age for our plates to be cleared and then she only cleared one of the two. We waited even longer for the second plate to be cleared and to be able to ask for the dessert menu. When we finally did I asked my husband to order dessert (even though he didn’t really want one) as I’d requested a ‘happy birthday’ message on his dessert. I appreciate this is only a request but every other restaurant I’ve been to has done this for me on birthdays when requested. I know they read the request as they had acknowledged the allergies I’d noted on there.

We then waited at least 45 minutes for dessert (some ice cream). A lady came over to ask if we wanted the bill. She was who we’d ordered dessert with so we had to remind her we were still waiting for that. The table next to us then got their dessert first despite ordering after us.

When we finally got our dessert I was disappointed to see no birthday message for my husband. I am a dessert lover and very easily pleased, but my dessert must’ve been sitting for a while. The cream tasted sour, the ice cream was bland, and there was a layer of biscuit squares that were impossible to break through with a spoon. I was putting full force on the spoon and it was impossible to eat and really unpleasant.

We then waited some time to try to catch the attention of staff. When someone finally came over I explained the situation and he apologised and said he’d get us the bill. We were then left waiting another age for the bill. When it arrived we saw my dessert hadn’t been removed despite sending it back after only one bite. We waited another age for another member of staff. When she came over we explained once again that we weren’t happy to pay for my dessert or the service charge considering the experience we had.

Fortunately this lady was understanding and apologetic. She also very quickly resolved the bill issue and brought the card machine. However, I have honestly never had such a bad dining experience. The food itself (other than my dessert) was fine, pub food standard but nothing special. I had a steak sandwich and chips which wasn’t the best I’ve had but it was edible. Same for my husband’s burger. I’d be happy if paying pub prices for it. But the prices were crazy, like Michelin restaurant prices. No where near worth the money. We were sat there for 2hr30mins total waiting around. Really terrible service. Such a disappointment for an expensive...

I am honestly totally confused how and why this restaurant still operates in a world class venue. It is obviously evident that the owner/s don’t give any regard whatsoever how their business is run. I extremely doubt there is any one in the kitchen that has the slightest idea how to cook and prepare edible food!! I’m not even going to comment on the food that was bought out to me. It was even an embarrassment for the polite waitress who was totally apologetic for what she saw. Advice for the owner: Your restaurant lacks professionalism. The teenager staff in your kitchen need professional training which they rely on you to provide them. At the very least employ a chef who has the scope to prepare food other than the ability to “deep fry”! Has the ability to prepare a plate of edible food for your clients that does not embarrass the wage you’re paying them, your organisation and the word restaurant.

I am extremely eager to hear...

Recently stayed at the Hilton for 4 nights and ate here every night. First 3 nights were great - food was excellent and staff were friendly and attentive. Box burger and chicken curry in particular highly recommended. Unfortunately the last night was complete chaos. The bar and restaurant were very busy with the touring cars event being on at Silverstone, the restaurant was woefully understaffed and some staff were new. We got our food 2 hours after the time we had booked our table for. I’d suggest to management to stop taking orders if you don’t have the staff to fulfil them properly. We felt sorry for those working as they were completely overrun. Special mention to Andrea though who served us a few times during our stay and was always lovely. We’d eat here again, but perhaps not on a busy...