The Hop Vine — Restaurant in West Lancashire

Unfortunately did not have a great experience here on Sunday, one that I'd been anticipating for a while having heard rave reviews.

There were 6 of us in total, 4 adults & 2 children. The adults all ordered Sunday Roasts (2 Beef, 1 Chicken & 1 Lamb) alongside two children's meals. The service was extremely slow from the off & despite us getting drinks fairly quickly, we had to get up and ask one of the 4/5 waitresses to take our food order.

We waited around 20 minutes or so for our food, which was fine. Both children's meals came, alongside a chicken & lamb roast, with all the sides (including veg that came with, as well as the additional sides we ordered). 10 more minutes passed & 2 beef roasts hadn't arrived, so we got up again to ask what was going on. I could see from the conversation they had with the chef at the hatch that they'd completely forgotten them. They then took all of the sides back due to them going cold, whilst two of us were still eating & we had to wait another 15 minutes or so for the beef roasts they'd forgotten, it meant we all ate at different times.

The lamb itself was dry and largely overcooked, the roast potatoes were drowned in gravy and tasty soggy/fatty. Unfortunately the Yorkshire pudding was also poor/did not taste fresh. Upon them bringing back out the sides the veg was undercooked, but at this point, we didn't want to complain any further.

The waitress did offer to remove a round of drinks off our bill & one of the roast dinners as a way of apology, but to be honest I'm surprised we were ok with paying any of the £120 (with discount) bill, given how poor the food & service was.

The waitresses did not seem with it at all - one them was serving heavy plates of food directly over our daughters head (who is 9 months old) which I had to ask her to be careful of, given moments earlier one of them had dropped a full tray of drinks all over the table adjacent to us.

The only thing I would compliment here are the desserts, which were great & the general atmosphere of the pub (warm/welcoming), however that won't be enough for me to ever return here as it was...

Now this is a great place for Real Home Cooked Food. From the outside the place looks nothing out of the ordinary but once inside it was a busy place on a Sunday afternoon. Busy & warm. The atmosphere was great no loud music playing on speakers or rowdy people at the bar. Mr & my wife were with friends of ours who like as were a bit skepitical when we got out of our cars looking at the back of the building. we were all glad we went inside. The service that was provided was second to non. The food. The Fresh Haddock & Chips was incredible it was so big that our friends took some home for their dogs. It was served with Chubby Chips which were Amazing. We had two Homemade Steak & Alle pies which were filled with big chunks of steak. I had the Hunters Chicken which was OK but not a big of a portionthan my wife & friends had for their meals but it was very nice with the BBQ Sauce. Then for dessert I had the best Ive ever eaten Creme Brulee which came with biscuits & a raspberry sauce. It was Incredible. Our friends & my wife had The Crumble of the day, Bramley apple which I tasted & was made with real apple not out of a tin. Chocolate & Raspberry Tarlet with Mrs Dowson's salted Caramel Ice-cream along with the Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake served once again with Mrs Dowsons Ice-cream (Vanilla). We all agredd we would be paying another visit to this Gem of a place. I would suggest you call up & book thou as it seemed to be busy all the time we were there on a...

I have been here to the Hop Vine many, many times, too many times to count, honestly. I have tried a wide range of their menu, from their Steak and Ale pie, their Fish & Chips, their Hunter’s Chicken, their Rumpsteak, i’ve had the lot. So it’s safe to say i am somewhat of a connoisseur of their food. And for all the times i’ve visited, i’ve never once been let down by not just the food, but also the service. The memories i’ve been able to share here over the years, have been nothing short of fond ones.

But, alas. Today’s meal, i had something different from the norm. Today i decided that i’d order their Wild Mushroom Linguini. Which i must say, most people would not think this was pub grub. For what i had you’d think it was from a proper Italian restaurant.

It was scrumptious, however. It really was. The creaminess of the base, the soft texture of the linguini, the chewy and flavourful mushrooms, the subtle spinach and leek add some subtle flavours, along with the parmesan, it was brilliant, utterly marvellous, in fact.

Service, as usual, was superb. The waitress’s are always attentive and all ears out for your every needs.

Decor is very cozy and warm, too. I can imagine this place feeling like home in the winter months.

As i have been here so many times, and i’ve never once been disappointed, i would recommend you bob on by for either a drink alone or some great pub grub! 5/5...