The Wheatsheaf — Restaurant in Woking

After choosing The Wheastshef as the pub to hold my 30th birthday (out of the many choices in the area). After being told on the phone that I couldn't hire an area that particular evening because the pub already had 2 other parties in that night. I was extremely confused when we were the only party in the pub for that night (this wasn't a problem).

After signing up to the mailing list to get a bottle of prosecco for my birthday. I went to redeem my gift at the bar and in the defence of the pub I didn't read the small print that stated you could only claim it when having a meal.

The guy behind the bar couldn't have been more helpful when we explained that we didnt realise and my family had only moments earlier paid for a large tab for dinner. Not forgetting my party of about 50 people were the only people in the pub. He went to ask the manager and it was a flat 'No'. I could see the barman explaining to him but he just shook his head and didn't even offer an apology.

I do understand that terms and conditions are there for a reason but a bit of goodwill goes a long way. It didn't ruin my night but its highly unlikely I would recommend having a large group there again or even hold another party there.

Maybe a 2 star was a bit harsh but it was frustrating and majority of my party that night agreed.

In reply to the response I have received.

Like I said above my family had only moments earlier paid for their tab where 4 adults had ordered a main meal. I wasn't aware of the terms until it was a few minutes too late. The issue isn't with the fact that I wasn't able to book an area. That was not the issue. It was the fact that when we asked about the prosecco, it was a flatout 'No' and a shake of the head and didn't even seem interested when the barman was explaining the situation. It was the lack of goodwill and poor attitude of the manager that evening. That's what made the difference between a 5 star review...

There is one older woman who works behind the bar who is rude and unpleasant to customers. I have been a regular for several years at this pub, but her attitude brings the whole place down. Woe betide anyone who leaves a dirty plate on the bar or another table to clear a space for themselves. You would think a minor indiscretion like this (that happens at every bar, coffee shop, restaurant in the world) would not cause the staff a problem, but prepare to cop an earfull from this woman.

A shame that one person can ruin a once friendly pub.

As to the response below:

At no time did I or anyone at my table click their fingers to this member of staff, at this time or any previous time. We have booked larger tables previously only to be moved to a smaller table without notification, when larger bookings have been made. As mentioned, the tables around us were empty from the time we arrived until the time we left (11:pm). At no point were we inconveniencing others or your staff members. We also left plates on our table, which were not cleared after 2 hours of waiting.

Regardless, speaking to customers with such a disregard and rudeness is not something I will put up with, or expose my friends to.

This is not an opinion held by myself alone. Everyone at the table agreed her attitude was disgraceful.

If you do not believe your staff was in the wrong in anyway then there is little to discuss...

We had a shocking lunch there yesterday, 2 grilled platters had 2 tiny steaks cooked almost to a few seconds of being jerky, rubbery eggs, and totally dried out pieces of chicken amongst other overcooked and dry food on the plate, the chicken & rib combo and the crunchy chipotle chicken panini were the same, very overcooked and served or rather dumped on the plate was an overly large pile of exceptionally wilted salad that must have been more than a few days old. The waitron tried to sell us "wine that we can't sell so it's going cheap" then said he had to go and help in the kitchen as "they never put enough glaze on the chicken" Is there, not a qualified chef there during the day as I have previously the chipotle chicken starter which was also vastly overcooked one lunchtime?? One of the ladies did bring a replacement decently cooked egg for the one platter. When asked if we had enjoyed our lunch and we gave an honest answer we did not see any member of staff again as they then sat around the corner on their phones and did not even look up to say goodbye as walked right past them when we left. In view of the fact that we were the only patrons in the pub apart from a table that left shortly after we arrived, we had to wait an inordinately long time for our meal. All in all, a most unpleasant lunch in every respect. Definitely will not be back and most definitely do not...