The Old Library Restaurant/cafe — Restaurant in Teignbridge

This place was, hands down, my favourite foodie discovery in the area until an unpleasant experience at the weekend has completely ruined it for me.

I managed to convince my boyfriend to take me there for brunch as it looks amazing and we were STARVING. I checked the website, and seeing that they serve brunch/breakfast from 8am til 2pm on a Sunday, we set off at half 11. Arrived at about 11.50 to an almost empty restaurant. A lady, I believe the owner, was stood behind the bar with a man who I assume was a chef. I asked whether they were serving breakfast and she said they stop serving breakfast at 10, to which I replied 'Oh! Your website says you serve breakfast until 2!'. She looked annoyed (with me) and said 'Well it shouldn't do'. I attempted to show her the page on my phone but she didn't look, instead snapping 'Well, are you going to argue with me?'.

I was shocked that she had taken such offence at our disappointment that we couldn't spend our money with them. Weirdly, their website says they serve breakfast until 2pm every day, despite them mumbling something about a lunch handover at 12 on a Sunday. There was then a brief debate about whether she would or wouldn't serve us lunch if we sat outside (which started at 12 apparently but they were fully booked). She half-committed to serving us some sandwiches with whatever food was leftover from the lunch service, at which point I elected to leave.

I see that all the reviews on here are super positive, and I'm not surprised, because when we went for dinner here a few months ago it was absolutely delicious. The service was also excellent, but it is worth noting that it was not the owner who served us on our first visit. Unfortunately, the bizarre altercation over something which was 100% the restaurant's fault (for having a completely inaccurate website) has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. I used to go around telling all my friends and colleagues to go there. That will not happen anymore. Hopefully the woman I spoke to was just having a bad day. An apology for her rudeness would be nice, but I realise it...

Every restaurant/cafe has its policy- this one is a NO LAPTOP policy, which is fine IF YOU TELL THE CUSTOMERS BEFORE THEY HAVE ORDERED AND EATEN THE FABULOUS FOOD!

I sat down, got out my laptop, connected it to my phone and ordered a coffee and a delicious deli sub- it was really delicious.

I then started working on my laptop when the waiter said in the most smarmy sweet voice - "we have a no laptop policy here."

So I got up to leave. I did stop at the counter and point out that I had my laptop out when I ordered my food and that there was no sign, even on the menu that said NO LAPTOPS!

His answer was well they should have told you, the Cehefs answer - well we had a sign but it blew down.

This is the hospitality industry guys. Great to have a policy, but before you take customers money under false pretences tell them the policy. And if you screw up be gracious, you could have said ok just this once or even offered a refund - which would have been extreme - but to make not gesture that it was YOUR ERROR not the customers is just bad hospitality.

I may come back, but only when I have cooled down because you treated me poorly and...

Ordered some takeaway from here in early December. Rib burger and pork belly noodles. I was dismayed to find mushrooms in the noodles (I hate mushrooms and they weren't stated on the menu), however once picked out the dish was absolutely delicious. What better than slow-cooked meat, falling off the bone, and egg noodles? The burger was similarly mouth watering with an amazing sharp coleslaw to cut through the rich beef. Bearing in mind we ate roughly 25mins after picking the food up, their offerings must be even better when straight out of the oven. I'll be ordering from here again soon, probably this Friday 🤤. I also grabbed a few of their cakes before leaving. Again, right up there on the taste scale 👆. Very much look forward to the restaurant opening up for...