Fox & Grapes — Restaurant in Wales

I eat lunch out with my son and daughter each week and thought I would give the fox and grapes a try. All started well prawn cocktail and mushroom and brie bake starters were great.However it all went down hill from there, my daughter's belly pork main was fine, I ordered the braised steak unfortunately after just two mouthfuls I couldn't eat any more as there was so much salt in the gravy. Today was only the second time in my 73 years that I have complained about food I have been served.The waitress/bar staff at this point was very polite she took the food back to the kitchen, her attitude and manner on return was quite different, she asked if I wanted the same again but the gravy would be the same as the cook had tasted it and there was nothing wrong with it. I decided to have the lasagne instead, this was brought out by the cook ,I said I was sorry but the food was far too salty, he was most unpleasant saying that he sold at least a hundred covers to that recipe a week and had no complaints, his manner was rude and confrontational and he actually made out it was my fault that I couldn't eat a VERY salty meal. My son was upset at his attitude towards me and wanted to speak to the manager but was told by then a very abrupt waitress that he was the manager. I asked for the bill and paid £77.57p for 3 meals one of which was inedible and a second (my sons) which was just passable.I will not be recommending to family...

Looking at reviews I'm sure this pub is great to eat and welcoming to the locals but on this occasion I thought I'd take my Dad who doesn't get out much due to being in a care home for a quick sneeky Christmas Eve half a pint. To be honest I wish I'd chosen somewhere else just unlucky in my selection this time around as my thought process was Hawarden is a nice village so the pubs will be, decor was nice enough as a nice traditional pub but the welcoming for a non local doesn't even deserve a smile or warm welcome. Being a manager of people and knowing how to make people feel special I know it's not hard and instead of the American Warewolf in London classic pub stare a welcome would have been appreciated. I'm sure it's a one off and maybe the staff are just annoyed working Christmas Eve??? Someone else just after us got a similar reception to us so it was something to open a warm conversation with them, but it need not be this way just smile and give a fond farewell, treat others the way you'd like to be treated and you can't go wrong.

I'll try maybe one more time on a normal day but if I get same reception we'll be going elsewhere. Decor, building and grounds nice,...

We have read many reviews saying how amazing the food is and decided to try it for ourselves; unfortunately the food did not live up to the reviews yesterday evening (27/2/24).

My husband ordered the fish & chips; the batter was tough & chewy and the "chips" were basically boiled potatoes that had been nowhere near a fryer.

I ordered the crab and mussel linguine with lime and coriander & dipping bread. The mussels were overcooked, not sure what the raw bits in the linguine were and there was no hint at all of the lime and coriander; the only thing to dip my bread in was some 'sludge' under the pasta.

My husband complained of feeling unwell within an hour of us eating and threw his entire meal up less than 5 hours later, which is extremely unusual for him.

There was one member of staff on duty and she was covering both the bar and waiting on in the restaurant; she was doing an amazing job and all with a smile on her face. She was their saving grace.

Will not be going back and - based on this...