Harvester Mansion House Reading — Restaurant in Reading

We did have a rather interesting experience after booking of Christmas Dinner here this year. We went last year and loved it, the atmosphere, value for money etc. was all great. I was especially impressed with the food. We decided to go back this year after receiving an email about booking again so I followed the link and paid my deposit just as I did last year. For reasons we are all still investigating (not sure if it is their end or if I have fallen for a horrible scam) my booking couldn't be found and I had to retrieve the deposit back from the bank. I feel as though this was jumped on by the team in an exceptional way and was quickly and thoroughly investigated. After a great deal of effort John the manager got us booked in for Christmas Day at the time we wanted despite them being heavily/fully booked. This really didn't go unnoticed and the efficiency resolving this given how slow I was at coming back to them between work travels etc. was really appreciated, thank you all. I do have to say that sadly the food wasn't to our tastes this year, which may well be a personal preference thing. It just didn't feel as though the value for money was there in the same way it was last year and this was a little disappointing but important to feedback. We were unable to have the coffees at the end as part of the set menu too as they had closed the coffee station but we were not offered this at any point after our desert or warned it was closing which was a shame. It was just a number of things that built up and we sadly may be looking for a new place to visit for future Christmasses but again this is most probably a personal preference thing for a few in our group. If you are looking for something at a very reasonable price for Christmas Day, with a nice team of people and a fair good atmosphere then I would recommend these guys. I will always be a fan of the salad bar and endless refills on the...

I’m no stranger to Harvester nor the Mansion House but today’s visit was particularly unimpressive - and really around the service.

As is often the case, there were a number of offers available today, and they were indicated by the various pieces of cardboard propped up on the table.

And again, rather typically, we were asked for our drinks preferences, selecting the refillable soft drinks.

When later we were invited to place an order for food, we decided on the £12.99 meal and drink offer, only we couldn’t have that as the refillable drink wasn’t one of the included beverages with the meal. So, as our server told us, we would have to pay for both drinks in order to enjoy this lunchtime offer.

That of course made no sense so we opted for the two course lunch offer at £14.99 - choosing a starter and a main. In my case, the chicken fries with satay followed by the beef rib. When ordering, we weren’t asked if the starter and main should be delivered together, rather told that’s the way it would be. We said no, preferring to enjoy our starters ahead of main courses.

The salad bar was looking a little bit sparse, but to be fair, after we had just about managed to finish a bowl, staff were seen to restock it.

After a couple of mouthfuls of salad, our starters arrived. And just as we got started on them, the mains landed on the table too.

The service to me felt lazy and rushed, with no regard for where we were at with our meals, rather only to do what worked best for the workforce. It was acceptable to put hot food on the table that we weren’t ready for - or so staff thought.

The meals were of the usual Harvester quality but the service was really rather poor. Perhaps staff should be encouraged to explain offers (and any limitations) before taking any orders at all. We all felt a little bit...

Harvester's The Mansion House in Reading is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a satisfying meal in a comfortable and relaxed setting. The restaurant's location, a beautifully restored mansion house in the heart of Reading, is stunning and provides a unique backdrop to the dining experience.

The menu at The Mansion House is full of delicious dishes that are sure to satisfy every taste. The starters, mains, and desserts all offer a wide range of options, and there is a good selection of vegetarian and vegan choices. The restaurant also offers an all-you-can-eat salad bar that is included in the price of the main course, providing a great variety of fresh and healthy options.

The service at The Mansion House is excellent, with attentive and friendly staff who are always happy to help with any questions or requests. The atmosphere is also welcoming and relaxed, making it a great place to catch up with friends or enjoy a meal with family.

In terms of value for money, The Mansion House is reasonably priced, with a good selection of set menus and special offers available. The portions are generous, and the quality of the food is high, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a tasty meal that won't break the bank.

Overall, The Mansion House is a top-notch restaurant that offers great food, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, this is definitely a place worth...