The Vintner — Restaurant in Stratford-on-Avon

Came here for valentines hoping for a nice romantic meal. Sadly we were far from it.

The only table available was upstairs and it didn’t have quite the same atmosphere as downstairs but didn’t mind as it was a last minute booking so we were grateful they could get us in so last minute.

Escorted to our table and the first members of staff were very nice. Our waitress was Joanna. After our drinks order she came back and it felt as if she was disinterested in us. She asked for our food order. We’re were hungry and had decided on our starters but didn’t want to rush the decision on our mains. When we gave our order to Joanna she told us we couldn’t order with her just the starters, we had to order our starter and main at the same time which seemed odd. I had to force her to take our order for our starter to get it going and that we would decide on our main in a few minutes as not to be rushed.

I wasn’t happy with how she spoke to us about this and she gave off an attitude that made us feel like we did something wrong. Our starters came and we finished them but despite Joanna coming to serve the other tables multiple times, it took her over half an hour for her to come back to us. By that point we’re were feeling deflated and decided to order the bill and go elsewhere. When she knew we wanted the bill she came back very quickly with the bill and I asked her for her name. She replied ‘Joanna’ with a weird smirk on her face at which point that was it for us. We took our bill downstairs to pay and to advise the manager how we felt.

The lady we spoke to was absolutely lovely, told us this wasn’t normal for Joanna and offered us a table downstairs. She also told us we wouldn’t have to pay for anything we ordered if we decided to stay however we had decided to go elsewhere but a lovely gesture it was.

The food (starter) which consisted of olives and chicken liver pate was delicious and the waitresses downstairs were lovely. Just a shame we were left feeling how we felt and I’m sorry to review negatively but I hope this can be addressed. I’m quite understanding so I know that people can have down days but please don’t take it out on us and remember it’s Valentine’s Day, maybe be a little more cheerful given the occasion.

3* for the other lovely waitresses and the food...

This was our second visit to The Vinter, & it didn’t disappoint! We come to Stratford several times a year to visit the RSC. The Vintner does a set menu, which is excellent for pre-theatre dining. You can choose either two or three courses, available at certain times. The Vintner is an independent, family run restaurant, which is very popular & always seems busy, situated on Sheep Street. We pre-booked online (would recommend pre booking, especially weekends) & advised of my ND. When we arrived we, they were very busy. They sat us at a table that was near a staircase. It made me feel very uncomfortable, as I felt it was an area of high ‘people traffic’. Hubs asked if there was an alternate table. We were then moved to a different table, & then moved again as they realised the second table was booked by someone else in forty minutes. Our final table was lovely, & by a window, which helps me as it gives me a focus to distract me when I get anxious. Our server was very apologetic & kept asking if we were okay. We reassured her we were. I’m not sure if the notes had transferred from the OpenTable booking app or not, or whether they hadn’t been checked initially. We then ordered our food. I chose Cauliflower & Gruyère Cheese Mousse & hubs ordered Lamb Koftas with Giant Couscous & Tzatziki to start. We both thoroughly enjoyed them! My cheese mousse was delicious! We both ordered the same main course; Breast of Chicken, marinated in Lemon & Tarragon with tenderstem broccoli, mashed potatoes & white wine sauce. The chicken was still on the bone, the skin crispy & the meat, moist & juicy. It was scrumptious! We both ordered the Cherry & Almond tart with custard for dessert. It was a generous portion, & again, gorgeous. The last meal we had here was in January & the menu was different, so it looks like it’s updated regularly. (We had a cottage pie previously) The restaurant is lovely & the food, perfect. Apart from the slight glitch at the start, which was more than made up for after with the level of service throughout our visit, we would highly recommend The Vintner if you’re in Stratford! (We did forget photos as we were so engrossed in the meal, so the ones on the review may have a few bites...

Very frustrating experience only due to the service.

We had a fish dish that didn’t taste right, two people on the table had the same dish and one was fantastic so fairly sure it was just the one piece of fish. We sent it back unfinished and asked for something different. After 2 trips to the kitchen to confer we were offered a desert as “the chef was concerned if she didn’t like the fish she wouldn’t like anything”…. 😬

When the check came we were charged for the fish and not for the dessert. The difference in price of the dishes was £6 or less (total check was probably £120-150). We explained we didn’t mind paying for the dessert as it was eaten and was very good but would not liked to be charged for the fish we sent back unfinished. After checking with “someone” this resolution was rejected and we all left the restaurant in a very negative mood for the whole party, it spoiled at least a couple of hours of our family time together.

Food was good, normal service was average and only a little slow, conflict resolution/memorable eating experience rating is “atrocious”.

We won’t return here and my hope is that the manager/owner here would see this and hopefully implement a change that would stop somebody similar having such a negative experience over such an insignificant amount money for both parties. Whomever was checked with that made the call and chose not to come and deliver the message in person in my opinion is to blame. I do not blame the server but instead the management for their leadership.

After reading this please don’t choose not to eat here, but if you have a negative experience please make sure to communicate or leave a review the leaders in this business should know so they...