Penycae Inn — Restaurant in Wales

I GIVE THE FOOD 5 STARS EVERYTHING ELSE 2 STARS

My friends brought me here to enjoy the food which I certainly did. My rib of beef was excellent, superbly cooked and delishious. However, I wonder if this chef knows what is happening at front of house? My self and one of my companions have extensive experience in catering and  were more than surprised at certain practices specifically from the front of house staff.

On entering the premises we were directed to our pre-booked table which wasn't set properly items  were missing from the table. We ordered a drink and I ordered a Gordons gin and Schwepps tonic with specifically ONE piece of ice. My drink arrived already mixed without lemon and with 6/7 large cubes of ice. I had to ask for these to be removed and for lemon to be added. We were given the menu without any mention of the specials. When we enquired we were directed to read a board on a wall. So one of our party had to leave the table and find out what chef had on the menu. Can I add here that they were not short of staff and in fairness the waiting staff were lovely pleasant young people but it was very obvious that they were not being 'trained' in the skills of 'wating table'. Yes, I am aware it is a gastro pub but there are basics which apply from a roadside cafe to a Michelin star restaurant which weren't been applied here. We eventually ordered our meals all from the specials menu and were told that a starter was no longer available. When we queried that it was on the board we were told "it says "sold out" on the board"  really?! This should have been wiped off as it really wasn't clear. While waiting for our main meals to arrive we were offered dessert! We told the girl that we hadn't had our main course yet. The waiting staff had absolutely no idea what was going on around them. This girl eventually came back removed the dessert card, apologised and said she had come to the wrong table. While waiting for our meal to arrive I observed one of the girls resetting a table and I was APPALLED to see her placing all of the cutlery on the table by holding the pieces not by the handles but by the other end.  No cutlery cloth in sight. Girls seemed to be following each other around in threes without anything being achieved. Our meals arrived and without doubt made this 20 mile journey out to the Pen y Cae worthwhile. I had rib of beef which was crispy topped with the juiciest beef and tastiest gravy served with beautifully buttered new potatoes. I would have served a small portion of green vegetables instead of a side dressing of salad which was placed on the hot gravy. My companions had the crispiest battered fish and chips and ham with leek and cider  sauce. We all agreed that our meals saved this experience from being a disaster. It's such a shame though that front of house give a very bad impression.  We did not blame the staff we believe a little hands on and appropriate training would really bring this establishment to a much better 'place'. We eventually asked for dessert and ordered the home made cheesecake to be told they didn't have any left. We decided not to have anything and just finished off our drinks.  Just as we were about to leave the girl who gave us the dessert menu earlier came back to the table showed us a plate with a slice of cheesecake on it saying  'we have cheesecake again'  ?!? We asked for our bill and eventually had to go to the bar to pay to be told "oh! I forgot to get your bill" Without the superb meals in the Pen y Cae this weekly outing to sample the gastric delights of Swansea and surrounding areas, , would have been very unpleasant. Can I stress I do not blame the staff they were all very young even the bar staff were young and seemed to be at  sixes and sevens. Didn't seem to have a manager on duty on a very busy Friday evening. I blame the management for not paying attention to this. It is not fair to any of the staff especially the chef and his staff if front of house are failing to deliver basic waiting service and established...

Came here for a evening meal for the day before our wedding. We called in advance to book for roughly 20 people. We was told as this was alot of people we had only a set time available to ourselves. (Of course other customer was in at the time).

We was also told this was pet friendly.

When we arrived we was told we had to many dogs. Roughly 7 dogs at the times, and that we wouldn't be able to eat in the Resturant and we would either eat outside or wait till more space was free. (What's the purpose of booking?)

We waited over one and a half hour to start getting the starters, two hours for the mains and some people didn't get food till after 2 hours.

Majority of orders was wrong. The staff had a care free attitude. Which if something wasn't good they wasn't bothered about it only if forced and questioned did they try and make it up.

The food that was correct was decent. The hand cut chips was all if not majority either cold or hardly cooked.

Over all this was a disappointing experience not only this was the day before the wedding but embarrassed to say we had visitors from long distance coming and to bring them here for first time in Wales this was not good at all. Would not recommend and will not return.

Please note, if you have multiple dogs they may say you can come over the phone but you may get refused...

Really disappointed as the review is over rated. Food is ok but we have been to a lot better. A chain of pubs normally do more in this circumstance The steak is fatty. The fish pie is mainly mashed potato. Not have enough fish, prawn etc The salmon roulade is nice but that start and ends there. The gammon is dry and not appetising. The chips and onion rings looks like from a frozen bag. Soggy. Nothing gastropub the way it's presented😱😱😱 They don't serve cocktails!!! The staff are young and not really that knowledgeable or interested. No proper hospitality experience or customer service. We asked for bluelight but both had no idea or interest. It's just a matter of yes and no. We were not even asked if we want another drink, not offered a pitcher or glass of water. We did not have the interest to order pudding. My husband even have to go to the bar to pay as no one is around or asked us if we want to pay athough they already collected the plates. We just can't wait to go. Very dissatisfied as it's my birthday dinner and staying locally in the area and would have expected bit more. Definitely not coming back. The cottage we are staying even recommended the place. Will feedback about our not so...