The Boat House — Restaurant in Stratford-on-Avon

First impressions: Wasn't impressed with the service, I've done waitressing myself and these particular waitresses which served us seemed rather casual/indifferent, but I guess I just expected more for something which such a classy view. When we first came in we were pretty much ignored until they suddenly came up and asked what drinks we'd like, only to realise they hadn't given us a drinks menu. They did, on the other hand, have nice smiles and checked in on us a couple of times about how we found the meal. They were very good about getting the second half of my meal boxed up for me (when I realised I'd rather save that for later so that I could follow up with a dessert), and didn't seem to judge their clients at all which was good, despite the fact that they were a little detached and didn't seem very interested in friendly chit chat.

BUT. The food was incredible. Two of us said that we "didn't expect the starter to be so big" which was good because I'd seen reviews hinting that the portion sizes weren't up to par. However I was pleased with the value of the meal. The cauliflower starter tasted fancier than expected and had a good depth of flavour. The duck starter was very tasty too. Usually starters are a bit plainer than the main, but these starters had the excitement of a downsized main. The sauce was plentiful and tasted complementary to the focus of the dish, it'll have you scraping the plate. Despite being a little unfocused, the waitress was very willing to take a meal order with two meal components put together to make a customised meal (for one of us who has a very specific diet), no questions asked. I had the Chicken Suprême for my main and I typically try to order things I know I couldn't replicate at home and will be special, and this was special indeed. I loved it. Usually I worry about grilled meat, but this chicken was succulent and bursting with flavour (even without the perfect sauces incorporared generously). The prawn starter was served in a bowl of marinating flavours which was also flawless,the prawns and fish were far from standard or boring. And the dessert. My goodness, the dessert. I have an acquired taste for sweet treats: they need to be 'worth' the unhealthiness, I won't just eat it for the sake of it. This was so good that there's absolutely zero guilt even for the most conscious of eaters - I wouldnt even regret it if my teeth decayed. It was the sweet spot of sugariness with just the right saltiness to set it off, and a blessed combination of flavours.

Overall,the chefs clearly have a skilled knowledge of how to make a balanced dish with tasty flavour pairings. All credit to them. The ambience and service (though not bad) could have been better. All starters, mains, and desserts are crowd pleasers. I must add that the food was very rich and was not shy of fat so that's something to look out for, for some. This food is to be eaten slowly, savoured...

Such a shame food was lovely as it always is, the girl who served us was also very attentive and couldn’t complain, when we pre booked we asked for a table in the back because we have been a few times and find the tables a little small ( no room for a wine chiller), so when we were given a small table we did ask to be moved the man who served us think he might be a manager, said all the tables were fully booked, I tried to explain the table was to small for a chiller but he just walked off while I was speaking to him. After a lovely meal and great service from the young girl I asked her when ALL the other tables were booked she replied with not until the evening, there were other tables seating 4 with only 2 people on. I can only asume the guy didn’t like the look of us for some reason, I tried to speak to him on the way out, he changed his story the tables were not fully booked and he needed to keep them free incase a group of 4 turned up, there were lots of free tables, he said this to me while walking away. Not sure if we will be able to go back again I don’t like the feeling that a member of staff or manager didn’t like us (the only reason not to give us a better empty table) shame because as I said the food was really good. I’m sure we must of done something wrong to upset this guy and he is probably more a obliging to other customers, would love to know why he was so against us having a bigger table when other customers did already have one and why he felt the need to walk off while been spoken to, I do apologise if I was speaking out of line but I really didn’t think I was and have alway found most places will move you when you request another table unless they are busy and full or almost fully booked which the boat...

Came down from Cheshire for the weekend, booked the Boathouse for 6 pm on Friday 23rd February. Phoned to ask if we could change our booking as we may be a little late, the receptionist said no but we could arrive up to 6:15 pm, we said we did not want to inconvenience the restaurant and would get there as soon as we could.

We arrived at the Boathouse at 18:09 pm, well within the time. We waited at reception, a girl came up to us and asked for my name, no hello, no good evening, then told us you have to get out for 8pm. Very unprofessional and rude.

The pub area was full and we had to squeeze past people blocking the way to the table, which looked like it was stuck in a narrow passageway.

The waitress was lovely and friendly, but despite that it got worse. My wife ordered an apple juice but got pineapple instead, my wife ordered chicken and I ordered plaice at £24.00.

When the food arrived my wife said this is strange, next minute the waitress came and apologised - my wife had been given the wrong dish, a vegetarian dish - ok the waitress told us the chef had made a mistake and not to worry about the vegetarian dish and have it with the chefs compliments.

My plaice was disgusting, the fish was waterlogged like it had been quick defrosted and was as best I can describe mushy nothing like fish.

We decided enough was enough, paid our bill and left at 7 pm.

What did we think, the girl at reception needs to improve her manners, the food was at best a 1, the table location was cramped and seats uncomfortable and the only decent part was the professionalism and friendly service from the waitress.

Overall rubbish and overrated will not recommend...