The Plough Inn — Restaurant in Northern Ireland

I am far from a restaurant critic so with that in mind...

The dishes available on the menu were needlessly over complicated the vast majority contained chilli which many didn't warrant the use of. Basically it was trying too hard.

The place is looking a bit worse for wear and could use a tidy up from ripped wallpaper to worn tables.

Service was reasonable and maybe I am being too harsh and I have been there in my youth but the waiting staff seemed to be all very young people devoid of personality and nervous... Sorry that probably is too harsh.

I can't be sure but I had the scampi which was one of the only dishes not to be over complicated although they still managed to over complicate it in its presentation with everything arriving in mini metal buckets and cages etc... Pain in the backside. Anyways can't be certain but fairly sure the scampi made me sick later that evening.

Prices were reasonable though.

Had what was meant to be a salted caramel brownie which was actually a piece of chocolate cake and a ball of flavourless ice cream with some crushed hazelnut on the side. No salt and no caramel... Disappointing and flavourless.

They have parking out the back which is good for Hillsborough as usually an absolute ballache to find a space.

Last time I was here was about 3 years ago they had an amazing menu at the time, staff were good and the food was really good.

We are fairly local but won't be rushing back...

We went to the Plough Inn for my birthday dinner last week. Had booked a table for two for 7pm, arrived at 5 to 7 and were told the table had to be cleared by 8.15pm - a quick enough turn around. We ordered soft drinks and were asked several times did we not want want vodka with it - fortunately we weren't drinking because I was driving and my partner didn't fancy it, but very unprofessional if someone at the table maybe had a drinking problem. We waited 25 minutes for our orders to be taken (remember we only had an hour 15mins at the table) waited another 15 mins for our share board of breads, when this was cleared we asked for another two soft drinks and bottle of water (again asked did we not want vodka in those) and we didn't get these until our mains were finished - at which point we had no time to drink them and they were therefore wasted because we had to leave our table - we were not asked if we wanted dessert menus and we didn't ask to see one because quite frankly the time frame given wouldn't have allowed it!

I know Christmas is a busy period, but the table had been booked, it was a Tuesday evening and if they can't comfortably fit the booking they shouldn't take it - the table of two beside us, seated at the same time, were not told any time limit on their table!

Have to say, food was excellent, but staffing and organisation leaves a lot to be desired - we...

Called in for lunch and a table was pointed at for us to have. Our order was taken fairly quickly and the food arrived shortly after. The steak sandwich was cooked as requested but extremely hard to eat with a dinner knife! so we asked for a steak knife. We then asked for salt and when it was put on the table I was formed that the salt "came out the top' a revelation to me!!!. It was a dual salt and pepper pot which you shake for salt and grind for pepper. so I shook for salt ,the top came off and the entire contents went into my salad. I took my plate up to the waitress and showed it to her she said oh! stuck her hand into my salad fished out the top of the salt pot and then said "I'll get you a new salt cellar to which i said I think you'll be getting me a fresh salad. As we were eating I saw the waitress clearing and cleaning (I use the term loosely) some tables. She flung a cloth around the tables no sanitiser required apparently and the detritus from the tables scattered over the floor. The entire floor area around the front windows was covered in left over food and champagne menus no brush required either. My suggestion would be that perhaps a duty manager should be hired and if there already is one...