The Bear And Staff — Restaurant in London

ALLERGEN TRAINING IS SHOCKING

I went to The Bear and Staff with my family this Sunday. What I can say is that anyone with intolerances / allergens should avoid or be very careful as the allergen training conducted by both the team members and management was dangerous.

I have both a gluten and lactose intolerance, if I had a severe coeliac reaction I would not be okay right now. Firstly I went up to the bar to order a 'salmon nutrious salad' (I forget the name). I said I had a gluten and lactose intolerance, can I check if this is gluten and lactose free. The response was: "I'm not very good at this stuff", and continued to say along the lines of: 'we used to have a paper booklet but we lost that. Now we have an iPad but I don't know where that is'. He asked if I was allergic, I said no but I have an intolerance and still react poorly to both. He said: "fair enough".

He said that he would find the manager as he didn't know what was in the salad or the allergen information. I waited 15 mins for the manager to come down. Which was followed with more waiting for him to then talk to the chefs.

We then went onto the Glass Onion iPad app to check. Once I saw it was the French dressing that contained gluten, I then checked if the rest of the salad was intolerance free. I asked for olive oil on the side instead. I was also asked if I still wanted the French dressing on the side...which was already quoted to have gluten...

The salad came without olive oil so I asked for some. Once I started eating the lettuce on the outside I realised that under the tender-stem broccoli there was what looked like grains / cous cous / or some bulgar wheat. As I was unsure so I took the bowl back to the bar to ask what the ingredient was. And again explained my intolerance to another bar member who also was very clueless to how to handle allergens. She asked me multiple times ."Did you eat it...but did you eat it?" I explained that I only ate a few salad leaves before I realised. I explained that I get bad migraines and bloating from gluten. Still no apology. Still no concern from either bartenders. I have just left hospitality working in pubs like these with positions as bartender, waitress, food runner and dessert chef. That's why I know chain restaurants like these pubs and restaurants that use Aztec and Fourth systems usually have online allergen training that must be completed. The fact that I waited 30 minutes to come to a conclusion that communications from back of house to front of house failed drastically and that it 'might' not have been the sauce and in fact the salad itself contained gluten, at this point I was frustrated and shocked that there was no apology, no worry, no concern, no solutions provided to help the situation. I got a replacement salad, however I had to double check that it was a fresh salad without the grains just being taken out. There was also no humus, no pumpkin seeds, but there was salad dressing!

Absolutely shocking at the fact that this is such a dangerous game to play. I explained several times to put into context that they could have caused serious harm if this had of been a person with a more severe immediate reaction. Gluten and lactose intolerance a side, if there had been any customers with nut allergies, I am scared to how any of the staff including the management would have handled the situation.

There was no confidence from the start. And no apologies. The staff were rude and did not seem to care about the service. I did not want to write this review, but I am truly uncomfortable with how dangerous allergens could be when there is sufficient allergen training in place to give customers a safe eating...

FLAT YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS, FROZEN VEGETABLES FROM A BAG, RAW OR DRY MEAT, COLD GRAVY, 1 WAITRESS FOR THE ENTIRE DINING AREA!!!

I would like to begin with the fact that I live in London for many years already and have pretty good idea about what a Sunday roast should be like. I've had my family visiting me for a long weekend and of course on a Sunday I had to take them for a roast. Usually I would bring them to a place I have been and tested the kitchen. I wanted them to see as much as possible landmarks and therefore we went for a pub in central with fairly good reviews rather than my local pub. I am still not quire sure how the rating of this place is what it is but our experience was horrendous!!!

To begin with, I've made a reservation 2 weeks before the day, yet when we arrive they were so understaffed that it took an hour to get a round of drinks! Eventually when we went for the food, things got significantly worse... THE HAM ROAST WAS RAW, YOU COULD EASILY TELL THAT THE NUT ROAST WAS COMING FROM THE FROZEN SECTION OF A SUPERMARKET, THE BEEF WAS ALREADY DRY WHEN IT CAME TO THE TABLE, THE KITCHEN DOOR WAS OPEN SO I COULD SEE THE "CHEF" POURING FROZEN VEGETABLES OUT OF A SAINBURY'S BAG!!! AT THE END THE ONLY WAITRESS ON THE FLOOR MESSED UP OUR BILL AND WE ENDED UP PAYING OUR FRIENDS BILL, THEY PAID OURS... WHICH WAS QUITE EMBARRASSING, AS IF WE TRIED TO TRICK OUR FRIENDS WITH THE BILL.... STAY AWAY!!! THIS PLACE IS ABSOLUTE SCAM!!!!! THE MOST UN-ENGLISH SUNDAY ROAST EVER!!!

Luckily my family never had roast before so they couldn't tell the difference and therefore I've saved the day(just about) but that was not the point! It was supposed to be a lovely family lunch, not a chase to get a drink or salt and pepper!!! I would be embarrassed to bring friends or family...

Nestled gracefully in the heart of Central London, The Bear and Staff pub is a captivating Victorian gem that whispers tales of history with every creak of its floorboards. Since its establishment in 1714, this timeless abode has borne witness to centuries of change, its very name a nod to the crest of the Neville Family.

Stepping into The Bear and Staff is akin to stepping into a living, breathing history book. With a lineage that has seen both villains and celebrities grace its halls, the pub is an embodiment of London's diverse and colorful past. Its walls hold secrets, stories, and memories etched into its timeworn surfaces.

The narratives of the pub's past are as intriguing as they are varied. The spirit of Charlie Chaplin, a legendary figure in entertainment history, once frequented these very premises.

The current building, a reflection of Victorian architecture at its finest, has stood since 1878, enduring the test of time and standing as a testament to the pub's enduring legacy. Its polished wood, stained glass, and vintage décor transport patrons to an era where the clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversation were the soundtrack of the day. As well as, the food encapsules the very taste of the british cuisine including selection of pies and hearty mains such sausage & mash, or delicious dishes like Chicken & Chorizo and the Nicholson's burger.

The Bear and Staff isn't just a pub; it's a living relic that encapsulates London's vibrant history. With its evocative atmosphere, it's easy to imagine the tales that were spun within these walls. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of timeless ambiance, or simply in search of a memorable experience, The Bear and Staff welcomes you into its embrace, inviting you to become a part of...