TOAST Flyford — Restaurant in Wychavon

I don't often write poor reviews and always try to be as understanding as I can when things don't go well but I'm sad to say that we had a very disappointing experience I would like to share.

We booked a breakfast for my partners Birthday and were quite excited to try out breakfast in the bus. Upon arrival, we were asked what app we used to book our table with. We weren't sure and just stated that we booked through their website. With a tut, we were told there were two links on the website and asked again which one we used. We had no idea but produced the confirmation and we're told we had used Open table. Okay, great. We were then shown to our table, at the very edge of the snug area, in the bar.

We apologised and stated that we had booked a seat in the bus, to which the response was, "oh, the bus isn't available today." I can't remember the reason why. When we asked why we weren't notified before we arrived that this was the case, the surprising response was... "We posted it all over Insta." We don't really use Instagram and had given contact details at the time of booking so weren't really happy with this response. We weren't really happy with the seat either but we're basically told there was another option in the bar (a large table), but it wasn't great for just the two of us. We pointed at a spare table in the restaurant but were told it was booked, much like our table, we couldn't have.

We decided not to stay, since the experience of the bus was one of the reasons to choose this place for a treat.

Honestly, all that needed to be done was to let us know before we travelled here that the table we booked wasn't available, using the contact details we left with the booking and perhaps for a little more understanding when we arrived to find what we had booked wasn't available. It's not so much that something went wrong, but that it was so poorly handled.

Would have loved to comment on the food, sadly didn't get to eat any. Shame.

I don't think, given other options in the area, we'll be trying them again. Other reviewers are very positive about the place, this perhaps shouldn't put people off, just a cautious tale to let you know problems don't appear to be well handled if things go off piste.... Unless you're...

We had previously visited (2023) for a Flyford roast and was incredibly disappointed with the service - we found ourselves left for the whole meal and asked for the bill multiple times before going to the bar to ask to pay. We said then we probably wouldn’t be going back, even though the food was decent / we were local.

After hearing about the changes, I booked Toast for brunch for my partner’s birthday (booked weeks in advance, went on 1st Feb) and left a note that it was his birthday on that day. We had heard great things and hoped it would be miles better!

Positives are that the food was incredible- this is the main selling point of this place but unfortunately the service is still disappointing. We waited at the front door for quite a while, going back into the bus (where we’d booked) to see if we were doing something wrong our end. Overall, It feels like they don’t have enough time for you with all that they offer / they don’t have enough team on to meet the demands of a breakfast takeaway deal, full restaurant etc. On our end, we did ask to swap from the bus as it was quite cramped and that was accommodated - we were subsequently reseated in the corner of the bar due to it being pretty busy, which was our choice not to sit in the bus so we understood.

Drinks and food order took quite a while, no check backs when the food arrived and no cutlery at first - then a 10% service fee was added automatically. We would have ordered more food and drinks, had the option been available to us. We couldn’t catch the eye of any waiter to ask for anything as it was quite rushed. There was a long wait for plates to be cleared, as was the wait for the food to arrive (which was unreal and very fresh so we completely understand). Two breakfasts and two coffees came to about £40, which we expected as the food tasted so fresh. Just a shame that both times we’ve been, the service has felt frosty and a bit hostile. No mention of my partners birthday either, which is understandable if you’re busy but i don’t fully understand why it’s an option when you book, unless that’s automatic? Service was better than the last...

What an odd reception. Asked for a table for 5 with space for a pram and was curtly asked ‘have you booked?’, the place was virtually empty inside. He directed us to a table for 4, as I said there were 5 of us. He offered us no assistance to accommodate us, I had to find extra seating from another table. I asked specifically about a large table for 6 inside and was told it was booked. He then watched us try to seat ourselves around the table for 4 without attempting to help. Throughout our time there it was empty, then in the last 5 minutes 2 people were sat there. As someone who has been in the hospitality industry and taught students to work in the industry I was baffled by this customer service. My GCSE students would’ve dealt with this better. Having read other reviews I can see we are not alone in receiving this treatment. The food is pleasant, although every time I’ve been they have missed items from meals and then taken an extended period of time to remedy this without offering apologies or a complimentary coffee. The waiting staff are lovely, and have good inter personal skills but I feel these may be held up by the strange management style. As I said, the food is nice. I had rarebit toast with mushroom and poached eggs, cooked perfectly. The children I was with has the breakfast tacos, which they enjoyed. Two vegetarians had the breakfasts, the extra halloumi took nearly 10 minutes to arrive the meals had and so she had nearly finished. The mocha was nice, the children I had asked for the raspberry lemonade, prior warning this is adult lemonade without the sweetness of a normal lemonade, and it’s £3.50 a can! All in all a strange experience. I would be interested to here from the owner of this establishment to explain this confusing method of running a hospitality establishment. In summary, nice food, nice waiting staff, management left a lot...