Kensington — Restaurant in Milton Keynes

Didn't eat and walked out after being stared at by the person serving. He looked like a member of management but his face was like a hung over adolescent that couldn't be bothered. It was uncomfortable as I had a rubbish start to the day. I arrived at the bar and discovered that I needed to transfer cash from different accounts. But my phone was dead and I needed to sign into the WIFI also. I went to my car to get a lead to plug in, then log into WIFI and then transfer money. This man was standing staring at me as if he couldn't serve another until I paid but I hadn't ordered. But he stood watching. I went and transferred cash to the card I had with me. Entered the bar again, ordered a pint if larger and asked if I could taste a small amount of the draught cider as no two places seem to have the same. So many brands and one in particular makes me nauseous. He said he wasn't allowed to do that, like I was trying to get a freebie!!? I said "If I order a pint and I don't like it will you change it"?? Big NO!! I explained there is one that isn't very fizzy. He replied that nothing on tap was still. All fully carbonated. Which was silly as I was a DPS since 1995. I knew he was being rude and I turned and walked out. I refuse to go somewhere and feel awkward immediately when it's a hospitality service. And then be looked at like I'm gonna rob the place and then accept this behaviour by paying for it. What's happening now!? Most pubs are run by worn out managers and because, the lucky few can sometimes be the only pub in the area and if people complain. It's worse for them and the nearest pub is miles. So the service gets worse and then followed by the unsavoury people and behaviours that get produced due to lack of respect/standards/care that is suppose to come from a service you hand money over to. It's disgusting and wrong on so many levels. Walked out and went to the nearest one. Thanks for adding to the stressful day. You should work out the back somewhere out of site. I truly hope that this isn't the manager and...

Let's start with the positives. I love the atmosphere, especially when there are major sporting events on, the big screen TV at one end of the bar can be seen from quite a distance which always helps. The food is good and pretty well priced given it is a pub and not a restaurant. The staff are friendly and there always seems to be a smile from them. Now to the downside. As someone that drank here for the first time in 1990 and has been a regular for over 25 years, I have noticed it going downhill, fast. The men's toilets always seem to have an issue, be it loose taps, out of commission soap dispensers or water all over the floor. I can't remember the last time everything worked. The big screen TV is all well and good, but when the speakers nearest to it don't work, there seems to be very little point in having any sound. Staffing levels seem to be all over the place. Never enough when you think it warrants it. An example can be shown on Sunday 13/08/23. Two football matches shown for the first round of Prem games. Brentford v Spurs and Chelsea v Liverpool. For the first match there seemed to be 2 members of staff available, despite only one of the teams having a decent following amongst people there. The second, a huge game where both teams are well supported, only had one staff member around and she was trying to do it all herself. If people are there to watch football, they don't want to be waiting 10 minutes for a drink. I'm not sure what the answer is, but something...

I am giving this place two stars as the food was good, however the actual experience was 1 star and here is why;

The first time I went with my mother, and sat outside. A lady showed up with four pugs, immediately let them off their leads, and they proceed to run around. Growled at my mother, and the woman just ignored it. The staff said nothing about the dogs off lead, even though it is stated that dogs are to be kept on lead. Two of the dogs also pooed near our table, and the woman did not do a thing or even notice. Great way to spend time at a resturant

The second time, my partner and I went with friends. Our friends received their food, and it took almost an hour for our food to arrive. From watching the staff and seeing one of the waitron's suddenly realize there was a backlog of food (as someone else had complained) and then suddenly the food was available, why did no one bother to keep up with the food? An hour for basic food is no acceptable.

During the second visit, it was also a bit annoying to see how what appeared to be regulars just pushed in front of the long bar lines and got service and no one said a word about it.

Over all, the food was the only real good thing. It is evident that regulars get a pass on general manners (the dogs and people pushing in to very busy lines). I am not keen on ever returning to this...