Blaina Wharf — Restaurant in Newport

I booked a table for 1:45pm for 5 people. I wrote in the comment section we were there to watch the rugby and could we be sat by a tv. The day before our booking, I called and said I wanted the table for both matches, and would this be OK. I was told that is absolutely fine and they can see the notes on my booking, so I could keep the table for both matches. On the day, after the first match had finished a member of staff came over and informed us that they needed one of the tables back (they had given us 2 tables for the 5 of us to sit at). I explained that I spoke to somebody the day before, and they said we have the tables for both matches. The lady said no problem and left. A few minutes later, Jazz came over and said, you are here for both games right? I confirmed with you yesterday, to which we replied yes both games. We didn't think anything else of it and thought everything was sorted. A little while later, 3 of us were eating our food and another member of staff came over and told us we had to move tables NOW. We again told her that we had the tables booked for both games and that Jazz had confirmed this. The woman told us no, we had to move tables right then, even though we were in the middle of eating our food. She was extremely rude and demeaning towards us. We had just spent around £50 on food for the 3 of us, and we didn't even finish the meals as we were so embarrassed of how we were treated. She completely ruined our meal and our day. We were regulars in the pub and would often come in, including for birthday celebrations etc with large tables. We will NEVER return to this pub and would actively discourage everybody else to avoid this pub too. Since Sam & Kelly left, the standards of this pub has massively...

So disappointing..It's been very hit and miss for about a year now. We booked a table online for boxing day at 5pm (also happens to be my fiance's Birthday). We were on time, but no one was there to show us our table (odd, as the manager has been rather insistent a few weeks ago that he is 'always' there at the door etc now, and that people cannot simply walk in as before...). We asked at the bar, but were told no one was there that day with the booking list. We were told no table had been reserved for us in the restaurant at all. We sat down, and paid for our meals. It took an hour for the carvery to 'be refreshed', and during that time the staff were shouting to each other across the length of the dining area (something about everyone else being upstairs watching EastEnders, and tables needing to be moved). The kids meal was ok, but the poor old carvery was terrible!!! The Yorkshire puddings weren't cooked through (gooey, runny right in the centre, and barely warm in the middle), the sausages were tepid and pink in the middle, & the sprouts were completely solid!! There was no one in charge to report this to at all. A member of staff was walking around with a full and smelly binbag, back and forth through the dining area and past our table, then over to the carvery as it was shutting down (less than half an hour after refreshing' it all!). We did not get the free drink for booking a meal on my partner's Birthday, and the staff and general atmosphere was absolutely miserable. Such a waste of an evening, and truly sad to see the place turning like this....It was always so good before?! Not sure what changed, but I hope it turns itself back...

I love a good carvery, but they're getting increasingly hard to find, especially at such high quality for such good prices. The atmosphere was peaceful, the carvery building was comfortable, and the outside seating area was beautiful. We both got the regular plate carvery, and a young man named Adam served us. We both got the roast beef, which was some of the absolute best roast beef we've ever had in terms of flavour and texture. It was well done, but managed to remain moist and tender and the bark on the outside was fantastic. The texture of the turkey was also soft and tender, and was delicious as well. Next time I'm definitely getting the ham to try!

The veg was good, a little on the crunchy side (which I love), and tasted a bit lemony, which was good. The real star of the veggies though were the potatoes, the roasted ones were absolutely stunning. The perfect balance of crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. If those weren't the star though the mashed potatoes definitely were, they were the absolute perfect mashed potato texture and taste. I was stuffed by the end, but cleared my plate because it tasted so good. Hubby loved the gravy as well.

The soda seemed a little overpriced, so next time I'd probably get a pint instead, but all in all it was a stunningly delicious carvery. Anyone who wants a stellar meal with good food made delicious, this place...