Ye Olde Coach and Horses Inn, Melton

I have never visited or posted on a website of this type before but feel compelled to do so having eaten the Ye Olde Coach and Horses Inn this lunchtime.

Upon arriving, my girlfriend and I were surprised by such a vast menu on offer - this should have set alarm bells ringing as it clearly indicates that the food cannot be cooked fresh. Some of the main courses were also very expensive (up to �30).

I ordered whitebait for starter which was edible, although it was VERY fishy and not at all fresh. My girlfriend ordered a seafood platter; this turned out to be the worst dish I have ever paid for; it was clearly from a jar and consisted of VERY chewy and tastless squid/mussel/prawn etc... The dish was totally swimming in oil and had some wilting salad leaves placed on top in an attempt to make the dish look fresh. I hate seeing food wasted and attempted to help her finish the food but was unable to eat it, I still feel ill now four hours later.

My main course of Mongolian Lamb was at least 50% fat and swimming in oil and the rice was clearly microwaved. My girlfriend ordered the previously mentioned "Blue cheese steak burger" mentioned by another reviewer; it was actually a chunk of mince that wasnt properly cooked all the way through and had strangely coloured patches inside it (breadcrumbs perhaps?). It sat on a piece of bread that was saturated in oil and the whole plate was deep in a thick creamy cheddar sauce, it also has some wilting leaves scattered on top. Definately no sign of blue cheese! We quickly had a few mouthfulls and left after paying, it is my girlfriends birthday and wasnt willing to waste my time haggling over the price of the meal.

They refuse to serve tapwater, a 10% service charge is mandatory (a bit of a farce given that the waitress didnt even know the menu and wasnt particularly helpful). Unsurprisingly they werent very busy, I will only recommend the place to people I dont like.

8 Feb 2009 17:59