The Cottage Loaf — Restaurant in Llandudno

We came here following recommendations on how great a place it is to eat. We booked a week ago and could only get a 5.15 pm place for the 3 days we are in Llandudno this week. We were asked to vacate the table by 7.00 pm, which was fine for us as we thought that we would have plenty of time to enjoy our meal. How wrong we were! We had ordered and received a bottle of wine and some table water by 5.30 pm. and finished our starter by 5.50 pm. Then everything went amiss. We sat there until 6.15pm when a waitress approached us and said were we waiting for out main course which we said yes and then she went to the kitchen to check. We did not see this waitress again. At 6.30 another waitress asked if we would like to see the desert menu which we replied we hadn't received our mains. She went to the kitchen and our main courses arrived. The food we had was very tasty but my steak and ale pie was luke warm in the middle and my wife produced 3 large bones from her cod. Having waited over 45 minutes between our starter and main course we did not attempt to order a dessert. Because it was getting near to 7.00 pm and the tables were required for others, I noticed a couple of people sat at another table, which one of them was clearly suffering from Parkinson's disease, asked to move tables to have their dessert. This was despicable and the lady then had a distressing episode caused by what was happening. A duty manager saw that we and the other ladies were clearly unhappy and eventually offered that we both only paid for our drinks, which was a very kind gesture and therefore raised my assessment to 2 stars. From our discussion with the duty manager it was very clear that this place was struggling for staff and the kitchen couldn't cope with the standard and variety of meals required on the menu. The booking system also looked crazy, as when we left a table of 2, a table of 13 and a table of 7 all came in at the same time. My wife joked with the duty manager saying are they going to be given the breakfast menu otherwise more free meals were likely to be given out. I would suggest to anyone that although this place has a great reputation give it a miss for now until the general manager sorts out the staffing and service provided. Otherwise expect to receive the same poor experience as we did. We were very disappointed, our evening ruined and it was one of the worst experiences we have ever had in...

We were looking for a place to have an evening meal, and found this one on Google, about 5 minutes away from the pier. What. A. Find.

First of all, if you're planning on dining out in Llandudno, this is the place but BOOK in advance. We were a walk in and bless the staff for slotting us in - we arrived just before 6 and luckily they had a slot for a table until 7.15 so plenty of time for mains and dessert. Book early, it gets very busy!

The menu is pretty eclectic and what I'd call high end, but there's enough regular grub to choose from with the bonus that if you feel like expanding your culinary horizons there are lots of tempting dishes! I opted for the Steak and Conwy Ale Pie with roasted carrots, creamy Mash and Broccoli, my wife chose the Loaf burger and tripled cooked chips and from the kids menu (all the major food groups for a youngster) our son had the cheeseburger and chips.

The photos don't do the food justice. Yes, the food is slightly pricier than a 'chain' pub but you really do get what you pay for. It's easy for a steak pie to be made as an individual pie hameavy on pastry and light on meat. This was the complete opposite - a thick slice of a much bigger pie with a thin slice of pastry all round and HUGE chunks of tender beef surrounded by wonderfully thick gravy. It really is the best steak and ale pie I've ever had, and the lightly peppered veg and super creamy mash made it a real treat that I'll be having again!

My wife's plate also cleared in record time, with a thumbs up and particular praise given to the tender beef and triple cooked chips. Our son inhaled his!

We weren't planning on dessert but the mains had been so good I felt obliged to sample them and again we weren't disappointed. Our son had an ice cream sundae cookie ensemble and I went for the Bakewell tart. A fluffier, tastier Bakewell tart you will struggle to find, with raspberry coulis and vanilla custard.

It's not on a main street but well attended, which makes me think this is where locals eat - a good indication as to the quality they have to serve if they want repeat customers. Well, we'll definitely be back - the staff are lovely, helpful and the chef is some kind...

We were returning customers, but we will never be back again after how we were treated.

We booked a table at 3pm for 7 adults, 2 children and 1 baby. We paid £100 deposit as it was per person (£10 per head, including the baby) - not an issue, I understand why.

7 adults arrived 2 hours early and were sat in the outdoor area waiting for the others to arrive having drinks. They were seated at the table, and advised the staff there had been a family emergency so one person wouldn’t be attending (my Nan) and the other would try and get here asap.

Unfortunately my Nan had become extremely poorly at 2pm, when an ambulance was called at 2:20pm. My Mum stayed with her.

When we asked for the bill, we were told that due to 2 people “not turning up” they would be taking £20 out of the deposit we had paid.

We explained that despite Nan being extremely unwell, we all were decent enough to still come and spend money there (apx £300 and drinks beforehand).

Myself and my family members have all worked in this industry, my Dad currently running a restaurant himself. We all know why the policy exists, and when to make allowances. It isn’t the law.

When a customer tells you with tears in their eyes that their Nan has been taken ill in an ambulance and it might be her final days, “not your problem” and “you don’t make the rules” and “it’s policy” isn’t the response I’d expect the hear back. Perhaps some compassion over you keeping an extra £20?! We would have tipped more!

Sadly, My Nan was the one who remembered this place last time we came. And I am heartbroken she wasn’t able to attend this day. She passed away the following day.

I do not like to complain about businesses in this current climate, however, i have written this review as the tone and explanation used was outrageous and I am appalled. Even other customers could hear and see the upset, and actually commented how disgusting your “policy” is, especially as it was clear how upset our table was. And pointed out charging £10 a head for a baby also.

This situation could have been dealt with in a much more considerate manner, and actually showing some compassion could have helped your customers during an...