Robin Hood — Restaurant in North Tyneside

The place was heaving but we found our table and then went to order our food and drinks at the bar. The place was very busy but the service at the bar was quick and friendly.

We sat back down and it quickly became apparent that our table was positioned exactly in the worst place possible as we were right next to the serving station by the carvery. The place was very busy and we were resigned to the fact that there would be a bit of extra noise due to the positioning of our table...not much of a problem in the grand scheme of things.

We collected our meals from the carvery and sat back down. It was at this point the queue for the carvery increased and our table was surrounded for the duration of our meal on 3 sides by other customers edging ever closer to the carvery for their food.

The waiting customers were so close to us that we felt very uncomfortable as there were approximately 12 to 15 people at any point just stood around us, some of them were even resting their hands on the back of our chairs and we felt very much under the microscope. There was no available space for them to queue anywhere else and they just filled the space around us. In my opinion there simply shouldn't have been any seating there at all, you couldn't blame the customers as ultimately they were just trying to get served.

The food was poor. Mine was inedible. None of our party got anywhere near clearing their plates. It was a cheap Sunday dinner but I guess you get what you pay for. My beef was awful, the roasties were stodgy, the rest of the veg was mushy, the Yorkshire pudding was very cakey and the whole thing was swimming in gravy.

On the strength of the food alone I'd never return. Reading the other reviews I know I'm in the minority as the majority of folk seem to think it's great, maybe we caught them...

The Robin Hood is an excellent place to go for delicious home cooked food. We have been there on a weekday for steak pie and chips, but the main day we go is on Sunday for the three course lunch. Believe me when I say that it is very good value for money. We pay £32 approximately for four Sunday lunches,three to eat in and one take out. That includes two pints,one of coke,one of lime and soda and a half of cider. The soup is piping hot and could be a meal in itself if you are so inclined. The main consists of a choice between beef,pork,chicken. You can have some of all three if you wish. Then there's a Yorkshire pudding,two if you want,for an extra Twenty pence. Stuffing and all the veggies,roast potatoes,peas,carrots,cabbage and cauliflower, lastly lashings of lovely gravy. The final course is a choice between strawberry or chocolate gateaux or apple pie. With that you can have ice cream or cream. I think you can have custard,hot or cold with your apple pie. We always take our dog as the pub is dog friendly. You must keep it on the lead though,but it's not a problem. I would recommend this pub to anyone wanting good food,a friendly atmosphere and value for money. I have to add the staff and their names as I didn't know them at first. They are- Linda the boss. A lovely bubbly lady with a personality to match. She mostly is in the background seeing to the preparation and cooking of all the meals (I think). Then you have Joker Joyce serving at the bar. Dawn serves the lovely food, she's cheeky at times lol. Sarah and Isobel are always on hand doing the clearing of tables and serving up the delicious desserts. I hope I haven't...

My wife and I, with friends who live locally, went to this pub last night Fri. 5th August and it was our first visit since the new owners/tennants took over. We arrived at approx 9pm, and I say again, Friday night. Apart from one other person, who transpired to be a member of staff, it was totally empty. The "olde worlde" decor and decorations have been stripped away. The old large tables which seated up to 8 people have gone to be replaced by non- descript uncomfortable modern furniture. The bar stools have been removed permanently which will put off single drinkers. Who wants to sit at a table alone? The menus, which are now printed on plain white paper and apparently intended to deter diners, have increased in price in some cases by more than 100%. Fish and chips were £5.95 under the old ownership. Now £12.95. Some of the most popular beers are being removed which has already stopped some regulars from going in. In these days of cheap supermarket drinks a pub needs an"angle" to entice people to come to the pub, especially a pub so far from the beaten track. This pub is now totally devoid of atmosphere and unless something drastic happens, we will not be returning. These new owners appear to be hell-bent on closing this pub for all time. The brewery need to be made aware of the situation here and the new owners turfed out otherwise it's bye-bye to this formerly very popular local...