Red Barn — Restaurant in Tandridge

Disappointing Decline in Standards

I recently visited The Red Barn in Lingfield with friends to celebrate my birthday, and unfortunately, it was a thoroughly disappointing experience from start to finish.

Atmosphere and Service: When we arrived, the restaurant was less than half full, yet several tables hadn’t been cleared. This immediately set a poor tone. Our waitress greeted us by announcing that multiple dishes were unavailable, and there were no specials on offer—surprising for a Saturday evening.

Service throughout the evening was slow and disorganised. We waited a long time to order both drinks and food. Plates from our starters weren’t cleared before the mains arrived, and when we requested clean cutlery, a rather unfriendly waitress dumped a handful onto the table without any effort to set it properly. Drinks had to be requested multiple times, and in the end, I gave up waiting for water and fetched it myself from the bar.

Food Quality: The food was underwhelming and not reflective of the restaurant’s usual standards. The starters were tiny portions, and the mains, while tasting acceptable, were unappealing in presentation. I ordered a venison burger, which was very dry and came with overcooked potato wedges. For the price, the dish looked pitiful, and the absence of any chicken dishes on the menu seemed odd.

Overall Experience: After finishing our mains, plates were left uncleared for over 40 minutes, prompting us to pile them onto an adjacent table ourselves. To add to the disappointment, they had run out of milk, so tea and coffee weren’t even an option.

Although we raised our concerns about the poor service and food quality, and the bill was adjusted, it was disheartening to see a place that used to be a firm favourite fall so far in standards.

Conclusion: What should have been a celebratory evening turned into a frustrating experience. The combination of slow service, unprofessional staff, and subpar food has left me questioning whether I’ll return. I hope they take these issues seriously and work to bring The Red Barn back to its...

Where Exceptional Service Meets Delectable Cuisine!

My recent visit to the Red Barn stands as a testament to what a remarkable dining experience should entail. From the moment I stepped through the doors until the last bite of the scrumptious meal, the experience was nothing short of exceptional.

Right from the start, the manager, Sian, deserves high praise for orchestrating a seamless and welcoming experience. Despite the bustling environment, she ensured that we were not only accommodated promptly but also made us feel like VIPs. Her attentive and professional approach significantly enhanced our visit.

The service, equally, was a standout highlight. Servers Phoebe and Emma were not just efficient in taking our orders but also managed to create a comfortable and inviting ambiance. Their warm and friendly demeanor added an extra layer of enjoyment to the evening.

Now, onto the star of the show—the food. The trio of roast and the 1/2 chicken roast were beyond fantastic. The flavors were exquisite, and the quality was evident in every bite. However, what truly stole the spotlight was the side dish of pigs in blankets. The chefs showcased their creativity with a delightful twist on this classic dish, leaving us pleasantly surprised and utterly satisfied. It was a culinary innovation that I won't soon forget.

The overall atmosphere of the Red Barn was inviting and warm. The comfortable setting, paired with attentive service, significantly amplified the pleasure of the dining experience. It's evident that the fusion of delectable food and remarkable service is the hallmark of this establishment.

In summary, the Red Barn offers a perfect harmony of exceptional service and delectable cuisine. Sian, Phoebe, Emma, and the entire team deserve commendation for their commitment to ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're seeking a delicious meal or a memorable dining affair, the Red Barn undoubtedly delivers. This visit was an absolute delight and will undoubtedly ensure my return for more culinary delights and...

Previous visits to the Red Barn have been quite nice but last night was terrible.

I booked a table weeks in advance for my family and made a special requirement for our baby and pram. We arrived on time but found that there was a firework display on and we were refused entry to the car park. There was no mention of this event when making the booking. This meant we had to park almost a mile away and walk with our baby and elderly parents on unlit country roads. We got to the gate and were met by what I can only describe as overzealous staff behaving like they were guarding the Crown Jewels. They had no record of our booking (despite my confirmation email) and after a bit of flapping they finally let us in.

Our waitress was reasonably pleasant and apologetic but she would have tested the patience of a Saint. She quickly informed us we were late and that the kitchen was closing at 18:30. This was rather confusing as our table was booked for 18:30 and we were only late by 20 minutes because of the carnage outside. She then proceeded to rush our food order before I even had a chance to sit down or take my coat off.

The food was nice but it arrived before the drinks and so fast I can only imagine the cooks were desperate to get out and watch the fireworks and play with some sparklers. When the display started we were literally abandoned inside and when the waitress finally came back she abruptly informed us there was no dessert. After a fuss she went away to bargain with the cooks and later on delightedly told us “we were lucky to get anything”. I thought we’d entered a different time zone but it was only 19:30.

Our evening was spoiled by very poor reception and management. We appreciated there was an event on but the whole experience could have been better and there should have been some sort of warning on the website or when making the reservation. Considering the cost we also felt...