White Post — Restaurant in Newark and Sherwood

“Terrible” We booked a set Christmas meal for grandparents, two daughters/partners and 4 young grandchildren ranging from 9months to 4years old. The lady was rude on the phone but this was brushed off and we looked forward to the family Christmas lunch 2pm Sunday 15.12.24. The meal was also to celebrate the grandma and one of the daughters birthdays. • We arrived at around 1.30pm and ordered drinks at the bar. • Around 1.45 we were told where our table was • The children were very hungry and we were looking forward to the meal. • 2.30 the children had pulled the crackers and were getting a little fed up of waiting for the food • 2.45 I went to the bar and asked where the pre ordered starters were? • 3.00 I went to the bar again to see if there was a problem? I was told that the starters were on their way so I requested that the children’s food came out at the same due to them being really hungry and the length of time we were waiting. • 3.15 out starters came out without the children’s food so we shared the best we could with them to keep all happy and enjoy the occasion. • 3.30 we asked for the mains to be brought out along with the children’s meals. • 3.45 eventually the children’s meals were brought out but no adults mains so we could not eat as a family. • I was getting really fed up with having to beg for the food so I ask to see the manager. I was introduced to Vicky (the pub industries answer to Basil Faulty) this “lady” was very rude and blamed the fault of the poor service on us for “booking the festive meal on a Sunday!” She took the booking, and said that she needed to know what each member of the group wanted so that it would be ready for our visit. Clearly this was not the case. Vicky then got abusive so Paul (her partner) came over to see what the problem was. I explained and he agreed on the poor service due to them being busy and offered me a free round of drinks for the whole party as a way of saying sorry. I declined this as I was not there to get drunk, I just wanted a nice meal with the family. I was told that the meals were being prepared which was ironic as we were all having a Christmas dinner and we were stood at the side or the carvery area with the turkey and veg on view for all to have! • 4pm Children had now finished and wanted to play but we were still waiting for our dinner. • 4.15 I went to see Vicky again to receive another load of abuse and excuses and told that she “would never book a set meal on a Sunday again. • Our meals followed the discussions with Vicky/Paul but we had to use the cutlery from the starters as there was no alternative provided. • Roast potatoes were missing off some of the dinners so we asked for them, these arrived cold and after we had almost completed the meals. • We tried to entertain the 4 children (who had finished the dinners) while we had ours • 4.30ish I went to the bar and asked for the desserts as we were now finished and children had been waiting for theirs for a while now. • 4.45 I went and asked Vicky and Paul to PLEASE have the table cleared and bring out the desserts. Vicky again was shouting and doing her Basil Faulty impersonations, but I told them that the meal that we as a family had looked forward to so much had been ruined by their inability to manage their young staff and the situation. • 5pm (Still waiting for the desserts) enough was enough we told them that we would never return to the pub and we settled up the bill for the 2 courses that we had received at a push over the 3hours! A number of the young staff did come and apologise as we were leaving as they had seen the Christmas pantomime unfold. • It was not their fault, it was the management! • Terrible, Terrible experience that will never...

We went for a carvery for mothers day as I didn't want to cook for the mother-in-law (she's very picky). It was very busy when we arrived and I was told the normal menu would take about 45 minutes which was fine because we only wanted the carvery.

THE FOOD

It's a carvery you get what you expect. The food was fine and the chief was very good at cutting my meat as thin as possible so I didn't choke. I will say the potato and onion in sauce was surprisingly nice and the red cabbage was seasoned very well. We then had dessert and even though it took a while it was definitely worth the wait.

THE SERVICE

To start we arrived late, due to the missus and mother-in-law having a mini fashion show 15 minutes before our reservation. But what do I know it's not like the old hag had arrived at our house five hours before fully dressed or anything. When we arrived we walked to the bar and the manager popped out and seated us. I then ordered our food and drinks and then we got our food simple. You could tell it was very busy but I must say the team seemed to be handling it very well. I noticed the manager was juggling filling the carvery, seating guests, and running food. All whilst holding back the urge to scream into the gravy pot. Very professional. After we had finished our carvery the devil that spawned my partner decided she wanted dessert, well there goes another £20 I thought. So I waited in the ever growing que at the bar until my time came and I realised I didn't know if she (satan spawn) wanted ice-cream cream or custard. Well I wasn't going back so I took a shot and ordered her ice-cream. Turns out she would have preferred cream so I took that as a small victory. As we waited for the delicious treats to arrive at our table I happend to glance towards the kitchen and locked eyes with the manager as he was carrying a few plates of unknown produce. Is this our time I wonder.... Alas it was not and we still were left barren of delectable pastries. But after locking eyes with the manager he must have sensed my dismay and came over to let us know our desserts were on the way but they were a little short staffed and that was why it was taking so long. It turned out the had one chief leave and another pull a sickie on mothers day of all days! The one day everyone goes out so as to minimise the pain of spending it with there spouses mother. But he soldered on and soon after our treats arrived (and mine came before the wicked witches so another small victory). He even had time to have a little banter with my partner which was nice because after 9 years she's lucky to get a hello in the morning from me. All in all the food and service was Great it always is and thanks...

Post Covid and many things have changed from my original review. Dont be fooled by the poster outside as 2 for 1 is no longer as good a value, as most mains are £15+ upto over £20 for steaks!! so if you have an odd number of mains, avoid. When broken down mains are between £8-£10 so no real saving on other pub prices. No specials anymore so choice is limited and same as any other main stream pub. Food was average at best and service was underwhelming. Not many people in so service was quick but no real care taken on preparation or presentation even though the kitchen was no were near busy. Had to send fries back as they were obviously overcooked and could be avoided quite easily. Curries where just about hot enough but could have been hotter. Rice the obligatory warm which is common in most pubs but again easily avoided. The surprise was the popadoms which were the best I have had in any pub. Deserts are overpriced at over £4 for most. 8pm on Saturday night and a handful of people in so that tells its own story. Used to be a good pub for an inexpensive family meal with good varied food choice, not anymore and will not be going back any time soon. Plenty of better pubs for food in the area. Not sure if the management has changed since we last visited which was a better experience.

Original review for comparison. Good choice of mains with plenty of specials. 2 for1 on mains (all day every day) so good value if you have an even number in your party. Childrens menu like most chain pubs is very limited and without imagination! Seems all these type of pubs are missing a trick here. My 2 girls, 6 and 10 like curries, pies, steak, gammon and chicken (not just in nugget form) but do not have the appetite for adult portions. Why do these pub chains not do a junior menu with smaller portions of the main meals???

Food was actually very good and my fish pie was excellent with plenty of fish and piping hot. Chips could be better as they were a bit bland I prefer the wetherspoons ones.

The service was good although the obligatory "we have ran out" for one of the kids dishes seems to be the norm in pub chains.

Kids lemon drizzle cake dessert was very good and decent size so good value at £1.35. My wife had this as stuffed from her main and couldn't finish it.

Overall a good experience. A little wait for food but we did follow a large food order and everything was hot so seemed to be...