Lysander Arms — Restaurant in Rawcliffe

We had been here a few times and had never had a problem. Food was always really good and the staff friendly, efficient and approachable.

Sadly, it was not to be so on this occasion. We were greeted and seated very quickly, no complaints there. Drinks order was taken and delivered. The menu is good, with plenty of variety.

Our order was taken. When the food arrived, the flaky the pie; half of it was black. The bhaji's looked appetising but did not have a yoghurt dipping sauce, there was some chopped lettuce and some drizzled yoghurt across the top and underneath the bhajis.

The salmon dish p over par. The salmon was a very small square piece and was not appetising in the slightest, it was extremely brown on one side and just looked over cooked and dry. When stating this to the Server, she was very apologetic, she would speak to the chef and took the dish with her.

The dish was then returned to the table by a different Server who said "the Chef said the salmon always looks like this, it was how they served it".

When mentioned, the piece of salmon was very small for the price they were charging, the Server replied "salmon is very expensive and we have never had any other complaints. This waitress had also blamed her lack of knowledge regarding the menus earlier being due to the fact they had very recently.

The salmon was then cut into and found to be extremely dry and overcooked. We were eventually able to attract the attention of a Server and explain this. They agreed to take the meal away and replace it with another one, but to bear in mind, this would be at least a 15 minute wait which was accepted. The fresh meal arrived and we ate.

The plates were eventually cleared and another round of drinks was ordered which never arrived, but we were charged for on the original bill.

We had to ask for the desert menu and hot drinks. The cheesecake was bland and tasteless.

The poached pear was very watery and tasteless, although cooked well.

The first bill we received, we were charged for 2 1/2 pints of lager and 2 x coke. We requested a bill adjustment which then was paid.

We will not be visiting for a while, but do believe in off days and second chances. The place was packed as it was...

food and pub great, managers attitude was unhelpful, rude and arrogant. we were part of a large party and have to say none of us would return. what an absolute shame as everything else cracking but out of principle I would not line that man's pockets! it was on 8th July. the outdoor area was booked, was told when arrived it was being decorated so couldn't use...it wasn't his fault it was the owners. this place was specifically chosen for great outdoor area for kids.... so then 2 Extra people came last minute to celebrate the 40th, what a nightmare ...we were told we couldn't add a table to the 'now indoor' table. then they weren't allowed to sit near us as reserved, the tables were not used all night!. there was not enough space to seat those that had booked and no effort at all was made to help us. eventually they opened the outdoor room....which had been open during the day, we watched it being closed off (so was not being decorated) I appreciate having a couple of extra people may be an issue but how you deal with it is essential. I work with people and face comprising situations on a daily basis but with a helpful disposition and a smile. he then tried to make the organiser take payment from everyone....25 people as it was easier than separating the bill. everyone paid separately mind! when asked if he had spare candle as had been forgotten...he just said No...although a kind member of staff gave us one. a lot of money was spent that evening and it was disappointing. although food was lovely and...

Having read all the good reviews about this pub we were excited about giving it a go plus it was our first time visiting York. We we're looking forward to to having something to write about as we are food and travel bloggers too. We were on a road trip on the day driving down from Scotland. So I called at noon to make a reservation for 8pm and over the phone I was told that the kitchen stops taking orders at 9pm. We got delayed Midway and got to the pub by 8:30pm for the manager to tell us that we cannot be served any food now as it would take 30 minutes to cook!!!!! I found this shocking, that manager on the Friday night had no sense of customer service whatsoever. I was even holding my baby and he would not even offer us burger and chips. Wait I guess that would take the chefs of Lysander arms 31 minutes to cook 😂😂😂😂. Anyways we left the pub and a family who was at the pub saw everything that happened and were kind enough to stop and tell us where else we could go...