Recently moved to the area and this was going to be our local pub. Visited the pub this evening and found the restaurant area to be less than half full. Went up to the waitress at 8.30 and asked if we could get a table for some food. She replied she would have to speak to her manager who was behind the bar. He said that there were no tables in the restaurant available, even though half the restaurant section was empty, he proceeded go tell us that we could sit in the bar area and come to the bar to order food, my partner and I went to find a table in the pub section, we found 2 tables that hadn't been cleared and the one we sat at in the corner was so sticky that we didn't want to eat off of it! We headed back to the bar and asked for a table in the restaurant section, we were asked to wait for a few minutes whilst a table was set up. We stood at the bar for 10 minutes with nobody saying anything to us, by this time it was getting towards 9.00 when food was supposed to stop being served. We continued to wait patiently but heard the waitress say to the manager she was struggling to cope with the amount of customers she had to look after. She then approached us after a total of around a 15 minute wait to tell us that it would be 45 minutes for a table! I pointed out that the restaurant was half empty and she said that they were understaffed and so couldn't help us until some tables cleared, at the this point my patience had run out and I told them not to bother and walked out. I can't believe this is seen as acceptable customer service in 2016. In a time of economical uncertainty and pubs closing left, right and centre you feel that a probable bill of ÂŁ40-50 is not worth making effort for on a Tuesday evening that I imagine would be a pretty quiet night. I have been eating and drinking at the Old Bell in Oxted (Chef and Brewer pub) for 15 years and never being treated this way. I will seriously consider boycotting your pubs all together as a result of this treatment. On a side note I do feel sorry for the waitress as she was clearly not getting support and she should not be blamed for telling us it would be 45 minutes for a table. Clearly her manager doesn't know how to take control of a situation. If I could give 0...
   Read moreI moved down the road a month ago and have visited the pub on several occasions since, to both eat and drink. Each time I leave frustrated, as it has all the right ingredients to be a truly great pub and restaurant. The food is good, the decor is warm and the seating areas are cosy by the fire etc. However, they clearly have a staff issueâŠ
The first time I went was for some drinks with my partner. I asked the barmaid if they were still serving food as it was about 8.30pm. The barmaid leaned over and asked a waitress who was stood by the restaurant computer. Without even looking up, she huffed and said in a flustered tone ââWell its 8.30⊠so, yeah, im doing something so give me a minuteââ. We were stood between the two of them and it was awkward and quite frankly, rude. This same women I have a feeling has been mentioned previously in another review. I donât know her name otherwise I would address her properly, but she is an overweight lady who failed to smile once. She always appears stressed and her face doesnât hide the fact she doesnât want to be there, and us simply requesting a table was clearly not what she wanted. We were made to feel like we were in the way and the restaurant wasnât busy.
Thankfully, that night we were served by a red head young lady who was great. Again, im not sure of her name, but she was polite and made us feel at home.
There is just no welcoming feeling each time we have gone back. The barmaids have usually been ok, but the restaurant has been unwelcoming to the point itâs putting us off going back for food, which is a real shame as we will continue to go in regularly for drinks and would otherwise love to eat there too.
My partner went to the restaurant with a few friends recently and afterwards they all said the same thing. They waited ages to get served drinks and the service just wasnât up to standards.
I suppose this is not only a review but also a note to the manager. Please, you have all the right ingredients to create a fantastic place to go for food and drink. Atmosphere and feeling welcome is so important, the more people are let down the more custom youâll lose. I say this as someone who genuinley wishes the...
   Read moreTitle: A Delightful Evening at The Star Inn
Rating: â â â â â (5/5)
Review:
I recently visited The Star Inn, a charming Chef & Brewer establishment, and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The moment we stepped in, we were greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, complete with rustic decor that exudes a classic British pub vibe.
Food & Drink: The menu offers a wide range of options, from traditional British favorites to more contemporary dishes. I opted for the Mixed grill, and it was absolutely deliciousâcooked to perfection and beautifully presented. My companion tried the Korean Chicken, which was equally impressive. The portion sizes were generous, and you could tell that the ingredients were fresh and of high quality.
As for drinks, the pub has an impressive selection of ales, beers, and wines. I particularly enjoyed the Madri, which paired wonderfully with my meal. The staff were knowledgeable about the drinks menu and offered great recommendations.
Service: The service was top-notch. The staff were attentive without being overbearing, and they were quick to attend to our needs. Despite the pub being busy, we never felt neglected, and our food arrived in a timely manner.
Ambiance: The ambiance at The Star Inn is exactly what youâd expect from a traditional pub. Cozy, a mix of locals and visitors, it made for a pleasant and relaxed dining experience. The seating is comfortable, and we appreciated the option to dine both indoors and outdoors.
Value: Considering the quality of the food and the overall experience, I found the prices to be very reasonable.The Star Inn offers good value for money, and I would definitely return for another meal.
Overall: If youâre looking for a place with great food, excellent service, and a classic pub atmosphere, The Star Inn is a fantastic choice. Whether youâre stopping in for a quick pint or a full meal, you wonât be...
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