Toby Carvery Bathgate Farm — Restaurant in Scotland

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a lovely restaurant where I was fortunate enough to be served by Sophie, a waitress who not only excelled in her duties but also left a lasting impression with her charm and beauty. From the moment I walked in, Sophie made the dining experience exceptional, and I'd like to share why she stood out as an exemplary server.

First and foremost, Sophie's warm and welcoming demeanor set the tone for the entire evening. As soon as I entered the restaurant, she greeted me with a genuine smile that immediately made me feel at home. Her ability to create a friendly and comfortable atmosphere was evident from the start, and it was clear that she took great pride in ensuring that her guests felt valued and appreciated.

Sophie’s attentiveness was another highlight of the evening. Throughout my meal, she maintained a perfect balance of being present without being intrusive. She anticipated my needs before I even had to ask, refilling my water glass and checking in at just the right moments to see if I needed anything else. Her keen sense of timing demonstrated her experience and skill in providing top-notch service. This level of attentiveness significantly enhanced the dining experience, making me feel well cared for and respected as a guest.

Moreover, Sophie’s knowledge of the menu was impressive. She was able to provide detailed descriptions of each dish, highlighting the ingredients and preparation methods with enthusiasm. When I expressed some dietary preferences, she quickly and confidently recommended several options, explaining how they could be modified to suit my needs. Her expertise and willingness to accommodate my requests made it clear that she was not only well-trained but also genuinely passionate about her role.

The food itself was delightful, but it was Sophie’s presentation that elevated it to another level. When she brought each course to the table, she described it with such vivid detail and excitement that it felt like I was about to embark on a culinary adventure. Her ability to convey the chef’s artistry and passion through her descriptions added an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal.

Sophie's professionalism was also worth noting. Despite the restaurant being quite busy, she remained composed and efficient. She managed multiple tables with ease, ensuring that everyone received the same high level of service. Her ability to stay calm under pressure and maintain a positive attitude was truly admirable.

Now, it would be remiss not to mention Sophie's beauty. While exceptional service is what makes a dining experience memorable, Sophie’s striking appearance added to the overall enjoyment. Her radiant smile and graceful demeanor complemented her professionalism perfectly. She carried herself with elegance and poise, making her presence a delightful addition to the evening. However, it’s important to note that her beauty was just one aspect of her outstanding service; it was her skill, kindness, and dedication that truly shone.

In addition to her individual qualities, Sophie also demonstrated excellent teamwork. I observed her coordinating seamlessly with her colleagues, assisting them when needed and ensuring that the service was smooth and efficient. This collaborative spirit further underscored her commitment to providing an excellent dining experience for all guests.

In conclusion, my dining experience was greatly enriched by Sophie’s exceptional service and charming presence. She went above and beyond in every aspect of her role, from her warm welcome and attentiveness to her extensive menu knowledge and professional demeanor. Sophie is a true asset to the restaurant, and her ability to create a memorable and enjoyable dining experience is commendable. I would highly recommend dining at this restaurant, not just for the delicious food but also for the opportunity to be served by someone as remarkable as Sophie. Her dedication to her craft and her genuine care for her guests make her an outstanding waitress, and I look forward to...

"Toby's 'Roast' Potatoes: More Like Geological Samples" Let me preface this by saying I usually love a Toby Carvery. It's a reliable, comforting haven of Sunday dinner dreams. But today, something went terribly, terribly wrong in the potato department. My plate arrived, brimming with what looked like roast potatoes. Golden, promising... Oh, how they deceived me. I attempted to spear one with my fork, and that's when I knew. There was no gentle give, no fluffy interior. My fork ricocheted off it like I was trying to stab a cobblestone. I tried again, with more force this time, bracing myself. The potato simply skittered across my plate, mocking me.. My dining companion, bless his heart, tried to cut his with a knife. The blade merely glided over the surface, leaving not a scratch. I'm not sure what cooking method was employed, but "roasting" feels like a generous interpretation. "Sun-baking on a particularly hot tarmac" or "left in a rock tumbler for an afternoon" might be more accurate. They had the structural integrity of small boulders and the chewiness of, well, small boulders. I half-expected to find a fossilized fern inside. My jaw now aches, and I fear I may have chipped a tooth trying to achieve the impossible: eating a Toby Carvery roast potato without requiring a dental appointment. Perhaps they're trying to save on washing-up by providing self-cleaning plates – nothing sticks to these potatoes, not even gravy. So, if you're looking for a challenging culinary experience, or perhaps some affordable material for your next patio project, Toby Carvery's roast potatoes are for you. If you're looking for actual food, I'd recommend sticking to the surprisingly tender gammon and leaving the potato-mining to the professionals. One star for ambition, zero stars for edibility. My compliments to the chef, though – those potatoes are impressively durable 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Toby Carvery's "Sticky" Toffee Pudding: A Culinary Enigma (and Dry Old Muffin) Let me start by saying I'm a connoisseur of sticky toffee pudding. I've had them warm, gooey, drowning in sauce, even lukewarm and still delicious. So, when the Toby Carvery dessert menu beckoned with the promise of this classic, my heart (and stomach) fluttered with anticipation. What arrived, however, was less "sticky toffee pudding" and more "archaeological find." My pudding resembled what I can only describe as a relic from a bygone era – specifically, a dry, slightly stoic muffin that had clearly seen better days. It possessed the kind of crumbly integrity usually reserved for ancient scrolls or perhaps the Sahara Desert. As for the "sticky toffee sauce," well, it was more of a reluctant tear. A single, almost imperceptible bead of amber liquid clung to the side, looking less like a generous pour and more like a tear shed by the pudding itself, mourning its own lack of moisture. It was the kind of drip that makes you wonder if the sauce bottle had merely sneezed in its general direction. I half-expected to hear a faint, sorrowful whisper of "just a drop... for old times' sake." Eating it was an exercise in rehydration. Each bite required a subsequent gulp of water, turning dessert into a rather intense palate-cleansing experience. I considered asking for a small bucket of milk, or perhaps an IV drip of actual toffee sauce, just to bring the poor muffin back to life. In its defense, it did serve as an excellent conversation starter. My dining companions and I spent a good five minutes debating whether it was a pudding, a scone in disguise, or perhaps a petrified sponge cake. So, if you're looking for a dessert that challenges your perception of "pudding," provides an excellent hydration reminder, and sparks lively debate, then Toby Carvery's sticky toffee pudding is absolutely for you. If you're looking for actual sticky toffee pudding, you might be better off sticking to the carvery itself. At least the gravy...

Good service.

Found during this visit the vegetables sides weren't topped up at a reasonable time. Many dishes sat empty for a while. No one topped up the cranberry sauce. Only an hour later when we left that it was refilled. Meat half of it was quite dry, the pork and turkey. The gammon and beef was fine.

It has been renovated recently which was well over due. Brighter and more open restaurant. Private area in the back for larger parties.

Updated for visit on 23/6/25 The pork and gammon over cooked both dry and gammon was stringy. Beef was nice and tender. The sausages were hard and dry. Roast potatoes very hard on the outside. Layed veg was very crispy at the top. Lacked flavour and dry. Took a long time for a replacement to be brought out. When I did return it was the same standard, dry and too crispy. The Yorkshire needed to be cooked longer or we're badly made. They had pale soggy bottoms. Very busy dinner service, waited around 20-30 mins in the line for the carvery.

Update 19/8/25 One of the best experience we have had at Toby's. We arrived not long after a coach load of tourists had departed from the restaurant so it was quite busy for a Tuesday evening. We waited roughly 15mins to be served at the carvery station. The meats were thickly sliced and looked fresh , a good selection of vegetables. Gravy was low, and a member of staff happily removed the lid of the second pot of gravy for me. The sliced potatoes with butternut squash was lovely, I had this in the past and it had been bland. The roasts were nice and soft inside. The Yorkshire puddings were a bit oily at the bottom but I understand it's they way they are traditional prepared. Shout out to our waitress VICTORIA! She was very welcoming and made us feel at ease during our visit. Quick service and very friendly. The standard has set the bar high for our next visit. Affordable meal with the use of the Toby's app, our children were able to eat...