The Pinewoods — Restaurant in Sefton

My family visited the Pinewoods over the bank holiday weekend and what an utter disgrace. The food was poor and behaviour of the staff was simply shocking. We bought two adult meals and two children's meals and drinks. The children's meals come with a main meal and small desert such as a jelly fruit pot or ice cream. However, when the children finished their meal I asked them for the children's desert and was going to also buy adult deserts. They tried to charge me for the children's deserts which we had already paid for due to the fact I never asked for the desert when I ordered the meal. I explained that they did not tell me this when ordering and why would I pay for something twice and if they are charging me I would not pay and will not be returning. The girl behind the bar who was actually serving me, I do not know her name so can only describe her (about 18 or 19, wearing false eye lashes, dark hair, and filler in her lips which she kept applying lipstick too behind the bar) became abusive and said what's the problem its only 99p. However, it was not 99p as they were trying to charge me £5.95 for two children's deserts that I had paid for. The girl said well don't come back then and you cant talk to me like that. I pointed out that I had merely said if they charge me for something I have paid for I would not be returning and that's my prerogative. However she continued to become more abusive. I asked to speak with the Manager but he didn't know how to deal with the situation and rather than get into a full blown argument I decided I and my family should leave. I am local resident and have spent a lot of money in the pinewoods but will never set foot inside again. Bar staff are shocking and uninterested in giving a decent service and look fed up when serving you like you are inconveniencing them. The dining area was dirty with food on the floor, tables and seating. Never witnessed such shocking customer service before. Avoid this place until they get new...

Absolutely awful food - fish was as if it had been cooked 3 times before it was brought out, the chips were stringy and soggy and the peas were dried up. My son's steak was more fat than meat and he was less than impressed and for a 14 year old who hoovers anything off a plate that says a lot. It's not the first time I've had an appalling meal at this place - I had hoped it was a one off the last time but no, it seems to be a recurring theme - I won't be going back.

I'm not interested in money back, or a free meal, or a call back or a conversation with the manager. Since Stonegate bought this pub it has gone completely downhill food wise and turned into a trashy place with slot machines, tv's and pool tables - it never used to have this stuff and people liked it for that. It's time people were made aware of just how much Stonegate has destroyed this pub and taken away from it everything that people liked. If it's not the appalling food, it's the open mic nights and the drunken idiots who hang around outside making loads of noise late at night.

I long for the day they have to sell it and it falls back into private ownership so a proper Chef can be employed again (I think her name was Katie?) and allowed to flex their culinary muscles and make this pub the amazing place it used to be. The food actually tasted like somebody had cooked it recently, and the chef's "specials" board was the stuff of legend. Now it's pre packaged rubbish which is reheated half the time and tastes like it. I wouldn't mind so much if the prices reflected this but they dont - premium charges are being applied for definitely NOT premium food.

So, go to the other pubs (not The Grapes - Stonegate own that as well) or better still, check out Suay (which is just fabulous), or the myriad of other...

My initial review is below which I left a 2 star, and I feel I need to change my review!

We attended the weekend of the 25th September, as the family wanted to meet locally.

What a difference, the staff and management are attentive and personable, it was still busy for the time of day, but the staff kept coming over to let us know what was happening, particular staff went way above and beyond to make the visit brilliant.

Cannot compliment this visit enough and I have adjusted my rating according to how I find it now.

Clearly they have vastly improved and the new management are running this place spectacularly. Simply brilliant experience and well recommended!

Food was really good and everyone was happy. 5 stars for sure! Thank you very much!!

Historic review...... from 2018.....

Im really sorry for this, but I had to queue for 10 minutes to order food, the starter came with the mains, which was just crazy, my steak was far too well done, over medium when asked for rare, and I had to go and request a steak knife to actually eat my food.

Hopefully this is just teething problems, maybe give it 6 months and give it another go, but, no rush to go back at all.

To the manager.... track pants, nike tshirt and a pair of trainers isnt what I would have expected from a professional manager... given your staff are so well presented, maybe a leaf from their book...