Gatehouse — Restaurant in Newcastle-under-Lyme

On a recent trip back to the area to visit the in-laws we were discussing where to go for something to eat. As the in-laws live in the Clayton area I suggested the Gatehouse. Wifey wasn't too keen as we'd been there before albeit a number of years back and it wasn't the best. She's also a stickler for reviews and wasn't too impressed but after some gentle persuasion we went. For the record, I don't do reviews but considering our experience vs some of the negative reviews I thought I'd do my bit and try to redress the balance.

Upon arrival we were greeted respectfully and shown to our table. The atmosphere seemed somewhat more relaxed than the last time we visited which, given the current circumstances, was a breath of fresh air !

The menu is, well its a pub menu isn't it ? I think some people want the moon on a stick sometimes. Really winds me up I tell you. Anyhoo, I went for the fish and chips and Wifey had the battered halloumi and chips. She's a vegetarian. Bit of a phase she's going through I think (I blame the eldest daughter :-D ) but what can you do ? I like some of the food she cooks but grilled mushrooms are a no-no. Slimey.

So, back to the pub. Food was great, service was great too. I got talking to a young chap named Josh. Very pleasant and attentive but not the annoying "everything alright for you ?" every five minutes type. I asked him about the seemingly better nature of the establishment and he said that the place was under new management and that things had been difficult over the past year but a lot of improvements had been made and it certainly showed ! The hospitality industry really does need a break given what we've been through and are still going through and negative comments don't help. If you're not happy then that is unfortunate. To paraphrase the fifteenth-century monk and poet, John Lydgate, "You can't please all of the people all of the time." If you're a 'Karen', a habitual moaner or over expectant maybe you should think about going somewhere else and give these guys a break. They're doing their absolute best !

Anyhoo, all round pleasant experience and great staff. Josh was a good lad and I told him/suggested he definitely has a future in pub management. Will visit again if/when we're back...

2 years ago gave them 4 stars but now, sadly I'm giving 2. The physical space is still very nice, though I ask for the tea to come with the dessert, it came with the food and "sorry" was all I've got... after that I asked 3 times for tap water (I was sitting at the garden with my kids playing around), ended up going to get it myself. I ordered the apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and they brought me chocolate ice cream, never was told that there was no vanilla and asked which alternative I wanted, simply made the swap themselves... I find chocolate ice cream with apple pie a bit of an awful combination, personally... so don't assume what I want, if you don't have what I've ordered, that's ok, but ask me before making substitutions. To top it all, it took 45 minutes for dessert to arrive and this is after I asked for it (waited 30 minutes after main plates, assuming that the dessert would be brought afterwards). I ordered a chicken and bacon salad, the rocket leaves weren't fresh at all, they were all mushed with no crunch at all (like when they've been in the fridge long and they get soggy).... I'm so sorry, but I use to be a loyal costumer, now no longer. I'll come for the garden for a cup of tea, but not buying food for a while and I'll have to keep in mind to "micromanage" table service. And all this on a day that the pub wasn't extremely busy, there were about 75% occupancy of the outdoor tables and 40% of the...

Whilst eating our distinctly average meal that we waited way too long for, a couple took a seat next to our table. This couple were accompanied by a pack of dogs.

Upon questioning the staff about the dogs and the proximity to my table, I was made to feel that I was in fact less welcome than the dogs.

Further evidence of this quickly followed as what I can only assume was the bar manager (I assume this as whilst I was at the bar patiently waiting to order my food earlier in the evening, which took probably 10 minutes she was ‘busy’ flirting back and forth appearing to be too occupied with other important stuff) anyway...as soon as she spotted the hounds, she quickly dashed out back and promptly returned with brimming water bowls for her canine friends.

I tweeted Greene King in hope of some form of resolution, or maybe even an apology and again was made to feel as though my presence was somehow less important to them than the dogs.

Normally I would not have an issue - dog friendly establishments are great and serve as a wonderful retreat for the discerning dog owner. However, as I pointed out. It would be nice to have the choice whether or not I wish to share my space with a dog. And as there is no signage to the exterior of the Gatehouse, nor is it evident on their website that dogs are welcome I was not able to make an...