The Red Lion — Restaurant in Tandridge

Generally I have found the Red Lion a good place to eat, but owners cannot become complacent once they have a good reputation about staff and their customer service training. Here's what happened and because of it I shall not go there again. We walked in to the bar and asked if we could eat and were told to take a seat and they would be with us shortly to take out food and drinks order..after 15 mins of waiting we called someone over. We waited nearly half an hour for our starter. then the wait for the main began...after 45 minutes we asked how much longer our food would take (bearing in mind this was for a burger and chips ) and the lady waitress was curt and short with us and gave us no apology, nor did she come back to let us know..after another ten minutes we called a different waiter who was also short with us and said it was on its way..no apology for the delay no acknowledgement of our long wait, nothing..it took another 15 minutes and still no apology. Let me explain what was lost from poor customer service..two desserts, two coffees , a tip , 4 alcoholic drinks and our repeat custom. Red Lion you just lost money and future custom due to your staff and if you care about your reputation some good customer service training for your waiters and waitresses is needed. I once had an awful situation in a restaurant dealt with with such good customer service that I told them that because of their excellent response to the situation they had ensured my repeat custom which was impressive. Its human to make mistakes hence waiters and waitresses need excellent customer service skills to ensure they keep the customer happy as they represent the restaurant. Its service we are paying for, if I just wanted food I would get...

We visited the Red Lion for a 60th birthday dinner, however it was a disappointment. Whilst the restaurant was only about 25% full, service was slow. Starters took about 30 mins to arrive after ordering which was fine, however once these were finished the main courses didn't arrive. After 40 minutes we approached the front of house staff who apologised for the delay and said that there had been an influx of orders at the same time and the kitchen was struggling an therefore things were delay, however hoped to get our mains to us shortly. These arrived after about 15 minutes, 2x ham & eggs, 1 x chicken salad and 3 x liver & bacon. Unfortunately each of those who had liver & bacon said it both smelt and tasted funny, it also didn't look very nice and was very mushy. The waiting staff were told, and again more apologies and an offer to replace or substitute the meals. 2 of us took up the offer and had scampi&chips whilst the other declined as they longer wanted to eat anything from the kitchen. We made the most of the evening and finished those meals we had with 2 having desserts as well. The front of house staff were very good and had removed the charges for the liver&bacon with no charge for the scampi substitutes either, however we still spent nearly £200.00. It should also be noted that althought they have a fairly small menu selection they didn't have any fish available ( which is why one of our party had the chicken salad.) and surprising for a Saturday night. It may bea while before we venture there again, which is a shame as whilst not a regular destination it was one we'd previously enjoyed. Not...

The starter we had, the prawn salad, was excellent—a delightful mix of prawn and crayfish that I particularly enjoyed. Following that, we all had the fish and chips, which were absolutely out of this world. I don't often leave reviews, but this experience was so remarkable that I felt to let the owners and their staff know, well done.

The establishment was an old, higgledy-piggledy, dilapidated English pub, which I very much liked, and I generally am not fond of change. However, now some years later I have to admit, that the very changes were necessary and it still has the beautiful atmosphere that it had 17 years ago, when I first visited. This is a genuine review, and I am in no way related to the owners, staff, or clientele. My house in Bletchingley is not too far away from their location.

I am happy to recommend for anyone to have lunch or evening dinner at The Red Lion in Bletchingley.

Kind...