Oystercatcher — Restaurant in Wales

I visited the Oystercatcher 08/07/2017 and will not be returning. We received terrible service and a disappointing meal. I wasn’t expecting much from the venue. I am perfectly aware the menus in this style of establishment are predominantly microwaveable meals. However despite these low expectations we were still shocked by the poor service and quality of meal presented to us.

Service issues: When we asked if we could eat outside, we were not offered menus When we asked if there was a vegetarian breakfast option the server asked us if we would like to see a menu A second staff member then told us there were no breakfast available- There is an all day breakfast menu option on the menu Once we had placed our order, the main server asked if we were paying by card, he then proceeded to walk off starting a conversation with I'm presuming (lack of) management about how he needed his key fob upgrading to make card payments The staff member then came back and was surprised that we hadn't paid- we hadn't been told the total price, or that the machine was even ready. Our food arrived which was a jerk chicken (I would describe as fine) and something that should have been the beef all week roast.

Meal Issues: The roast had a small & terrible portion of beef on, there was one yorkshire pudding, some mash potato which still retained a lot of it's pellet shape from before it had been reheated in the microwave. My partner couldn’t even eat the beef due as it was overcooked and tough. Our vegetable selection was some peas, nothing else. The gravy was in a small ramekin and certainly couldn't disguise the poor excuse for a meal. This dish should have never left the kitchen, your chef should be ashamed that he would present anything in such a way. This also wasn't picked up by the inadequate serving staff that clearly do not care about customer service.

We did not complain at the time due to the inadequacies already noted. I have just moved to the Penarth area and will never return to this establishment. Someone should have come and told us that unfortunately the roast was unavailable and offer us...

Food was cheap but awful processed rubbish. I would never go back again.

Service was quick, although it was mid week, so the place wasn't exactly packed out. Had an issue with items missing off the order but charged for, and this was rectified after explaining to 2 people the mistake (not theirs, completely a technological error)

Food was quick coming out. However, we were a table of 8, and the waitress stood at the head of the table expecting us to pass the dishes down the line, which, of course, we did. The food was awful, the starters which were meant to be marinated, seasoned and cooked in different sauces and spices came out as cooked chicken wings (which had clearly been frozen previously) and a small side bowl of the seasonings/sauces for you to sprinkle over, this did not give the flavour or texture you would expect looking at the pictures on the menu.

Mains were just frozen, bland processed food. No cutlery was provided we had to find our own, and the sauce bottles were empty and sticky.

We went for my SIL birthday I asked when ordering desserts if they had a candle spare can they pop one into her dessert to which I recieved a filthy look off the waitress and a confused look from the bar man who said we don't usually have any, which I understand I should have been prepared, however moments later they come out with a dessert with a candle in. I explained my SIL had to go outside and the waiter proceeded to blow out the candle which was in my sons dessert, why would you think that's acceptable to blow over some strangers food.

To summarise, you pay for...

Why oh why with microwave meals are they served cold??? Seriously. It doesn't take a genius to heat food up and get it to the customer hot. They handed me cold food literally COLD I went to the bar holding it so they took it back to the kitchen and ten minutes later returned it saying it's hot only to find it was lukewarm. He said is that better? I said no. But I'm hungry so I will have to eat it. By this time my friend had finished Thiers, we were getting on for an hour of being there ordering.

The table next to us had the exact same issue

We waited at least 45 minutes for the privilege of this cold meal, 55 minutes for the lukewarm version and the place was half empty.

I had the nutroast. Was more of lukewarm baby food slop all wet n soggy

It's like staff have no pride in work anymore I done the job for over 25 years and even if I had issues going on in my life I still put on a smile and gave customers amazing food and service.

Won't be back !

Waiting for the we're sorry reply herel where they could do better blah blah blah. If you read the reviews nothing has changed. Same old complaints same issues. And what does" location email " even mean??

Ps I agree with others it's a very run down grubby pub. Shame as it's in a stunning location

Place needs a new owner/manager oh and waiting staff kitchen staff and cleaner and maintenance etc

Update

They asked me to email them to which I did and they never...