The Longbow Beefeater — Restaurant in Wales

A disappointing visit on this occasion!

Been here several times previously (pre covid) and had pleasant meals and experiences. However, it was very disappointing this time, esp since we were really looking forward to it after not being out for a meal in so long.

There was a catalogue of things which weren't right with the visit:

Although pleasant and lovely enough, the waitress didn't appear to listen to our orders/requests, subsequently creating errors -

Firstly, a JD was ordered and she was specifically asked if the coke was on pump or bottle, since I did not want a lot of coke in the JD as not to drown it. The tall glass came full to the brim and we had to ask for a measure of JD on its own to add in order to taste it.

I asked for my steak to be medium rare and specifically asked it to be more on the rare side. It came back medium to well.

I asked for skinny chips but I was given fat chips, though my plate was taken back to change that.

Both myself and one asked for side order of sauces but the waitress brought food and said "you didn't ask for sauces did you" and subsequently he had to wait for it. This he said tasted awful (beef dripping).

My husband asked for pink lamb chops but they were over done. He didn't eat them.

In addition, many things were not available. There were no onion rings. We couldn't have the wine we ordered so had to choose another. The nachos weren't available.

My husband asked, before he ordered the lamb, for the tuna steak and asked if it would be pink in the middle, only to be told it couldn't be cooked like that as it came part frozen.

The meals came in dribs and drabs, the peppercorn sauce was very thin, almost watery. The mushrooms weren't great either.

Two screws came out of the table and there was a hair pin on the seat. There was no cap on the toilet push flush in the ladies and my husband said the mens was a state including a profusely leaking tap.

Understandibly, screens were still in place so our party could not all sit together. My husband asked the waitress if he may have a 'quiet' word with the manager as he didn't want to do it infront of the party. But she sent him straight across and we were greated quite unprofessionally in my opinion and not at all quietly with "there's something wrong with the lamb chops!". My husband had to explain he would take up his quiet word later.

So that was our experience today. It is not my intention to put you off going here since, as I've said previously the visits have been good. I'm simply stating this...

My 6 year old daughter and I suffer with Coeliac disease and find it very difficult to eat out as many restaurants and cafes have no idea of cross contamination or how to cook simple gluten free dishes. However, in this lovely Beefeater, we were greeted by a lovely lady who listened patiently and produced a very clear menu of their gluten free items including the rarest thing of all, free from children's items. As we took our seats, my daughter suddenly looked flushed and felt clammy. Our waiter, Josh, rushed us to the facilities without hesitation and waited to check we were ok. He was patient when we took a little longer to order and explained the free from menu to us very well. Our meals were wonderful, my blue steak was perfectly cooked and my daughter was delighted with her dessert. As owners of a 'free from' catering company, we understand and appreciate great food, great service, great staff and great management. We experienced all four today. When we called over the manager to praise Josh, he immediately showed an immense pride, not in himself but in his staff. We also appreciated the manager helping his staff in this very busy time. He cleared and wiped tables, served customers and checked they were happy with their meal. This is a fantastic example of teamwork, respect and pride in the workplace.

We will, in the future, be seeking out Beefeater restaurants on our travels and hope to return to Beefeater Longbow very soon.

A huge thank you again for...

We called in here this evening for a meal and ordered 1 fish and chips and 1 halloumi burger. When the fish arrived the batter looked soaking wet with oil and my husband pressed it gently with his fork and oil just flooded out of it. The batter on the fish was uncooked, mushy and soaked in oil. Obviously the oil hadn't beenhot enough.

We called the waitresses and showed her the fish and said it was inedible. She apologised and took the fish away and said she'd get another one cooked.

After about 10 minutes, during which time I'd eaten half of my meal (which was also luke warm) a new fish and chips were brought and placed on the table.

However, this was exactly the same as the first fish; soggy uncooked batter swimming in grease! The batter was exactly like a sponge when pressed with a knife or fork...all the oil just oozed out of it.

Mty partner took it up to the kitchen pass where the waitresses was standing and showed her in front of the kitchen staff what the fish was like. She offered him to order a different dish but he said no...enough was enough and he wouldn't eat anything. The kitchen staff just stood there and didn't say a thing.

So, I ate half my meal and my husband didn't eat anything.

I'd never, ever visit The Longbow again. The food was absolutely disgusting! Without question, it's the worst quality food we've ever had in a pub!

If i could have given zero rating...