Oak Tree Norwich — Restaurant in Norwich

Meals were reasonably well presented and were tasty. However the service was poor. The restaurant area of the pub was laid out like any other pub of the same sort. As a party of 6 with a pre-booked table, we arrived, read menus and waited for a waiter to take our order, and offer drinks, as we have done in every other pub/restaurant we have used over many years. When no waiter turned up after some 20 minutes we went up to the bar and were told by a rather surly barman that we had to order our meals at the bar, and pay for them BEFORE they were delivered to our table. Further, if we wanted a pre-meal drink, we had to pay for that on the spot, or leave our credit card with the bar staff. Some of us were unwilling to do this, while others did not have a physical card, but use a virtual card on our mobile phone, which we were obviously not going to leave behind the bar. So, after paying for our drinks individually, ordering our meals and paying individually, we all returned to our table carrying our own drinks, and the meals were eventually brought out by a waitress. If we had wanted further drinks we would have to get up during the meal, go to the bar, pay for it and carry it back to the table. This, in the middle of eating a meal, and taking part in 6-way conversations. Post-meal coffees were brought by the waitress but had to be pre-ordered, or a credit card left at the bar. In every other place we eat, we pre-book a table, sit straight down on arrival, a waiter takes our order for the meal and pre-meal drinks, and, later, desserts and coffees, then brings the bill on request. On the rare occasion that there may be a dispute on the bill, or a complaint, we sort it out amicably, as we have a right to do. We then add an appropriate gratuity for the service, and divide the bill up between us, pay and leave. All very easy for both us and the staff. On this occasion, we each had to pay for our own meals separately, with multiple payments, as and when we ordered each element, queueing up each time with other customers doing the same thing. There were naturally no gratuities added, as the service was non-existent, except for the waitress carrying the plates from the kitchen to the table, and clearing the table after. We will not be returning to...

Party of 10 (9+a wheelchair) booked for lunch Boxing Day 2017. The whole experience from beginning to end was very disappointing. On arrival we were directed to a table in a part of the restaurant only accessible via steps. I told the waiter we had booked a wheelchair space but he said there was nothing about that on his list. There was another table in an accessible part of the restaurant which was set for 9 + a wheelchair but were told that was booked for someone else although during the 2 hours we were there, the table was never occupied. A table was eventually made available in the centre of the restaurant - an oval table with a small square one added to the end, not very comfortable for those sitting where the tables met. It was very difficult for waiters and other guests to pass without disturbing members of my family group who were trying to eat their meal. My young grandson ordered chicken nuggets - when they arrived, they were uncooked in the middle. These were returned and after a longish wait fresh ones were brought. These were strange looking chicken nuggets - long and covered in over cooked, thick batter that tasted of fish. The little boy refused to eat them. The manager sent apologies via the waitress but did not come to apologise in person. When desserts arrived, they overlooked to bring the simplest one - ice cream, until I went to the bar to remind them. Staff, with the exception of our waitress, were sullen, rude and obviously didn’t want to be there. When I paid the bill, the waiter never asked whether everything was ok or said enjoy the rest of the day etc, as is usual these days. I sent an email of complaint to the restaurant on 27th December but have had no reply, not even an acknowledgement. Needless to say I will not be visiting that...

Found this place listed as one of the top 11 best places for Sunday lunch in Norwich. booked for Sunday lunch, turned up early but were seated straight away. Table had been cleaned but was very sticky with residue of food. we asked for something to wipe down the table and the waitress said she would be over to do this for us. she arrived and gave it a cursory wipe over. it was still sticky so we used serviettes, these came up very dirty, suggest they give the tables a good clean, not healthy! i ordered the roast loin of pork and my wife the veggie mushroom pie. dinners arrived, my wife's ok but mine was not loin of pork it was a single piece of pork belly! No crackling as advertised. complained to the waitress who initially said that we should have been told when we ordered that the pork loin was off the menu, hence the pork belly. i said that we were not and she asked "so what do you want me to do". I said she should take it away. she did so in a huff. another member of staff (possibly the manager) then appeared saying there had been some mis-communication and the pork loin was on. i asked why i had been told the opposite and she said that was the mis-communication!! when it eventually arrived (as my wife had nearly eaten hers) it had no, pigs in blankets, stuffing or crackling. my wife decided to go ask as by now i was getting annoyed, and the pigs in blankets arrived with the stuffing but no crackling. ate it and left. also just to point out that when you bother to mention on your website that you make real beef gravy, that's what you should serve, not instant. having moved to the area a couple of years back, we have been bowled over by the quality of food in and around Norwich but this has let the side down somewhat. not...