The Bridge House, St Neots

This pub used to be part of the 'Beefeater' chain for those that remember those facilities. We had many enjoyable meals there when visiting our children. Took our son and family there recently for a sunday lunch, booked as usual and we arrived promptly. We were taken to the table and offered the carvery as the only choice. No waitress service, which was a shame as we wanted a drink. Realising we were not going to get served we queued at the Carvery for about 10 minutes as the chef had to keep going back to the kitchen. When it was our turn to be served we were told we needed a ticket and could not get a meal without it! Accordingly we then went to the bar to queue to get a ticket, and then returned to the carvery to queue once again for the meal. The vegetables were not properly prepared (come prepared to mash your own turnip and mashed potato unless you like the lumpy variety!). The roasties were burnt or undercooked and over oiled on the plate. Still we perservered-we requested a small spoon for the young children, staff appeared accommodating but did not produce the goods so we fed the children from our own cutlery. When we complained to the manager about the overall experience he did not have any authority and asked us to write a letter to some other person not in attendance!! We paid the price and left to another facility in the town. Overall a very poor eating experience that I did not think still existed in the UK outside of a transport cafe. In summary it is the type of experience you would anticipate for restaurant that has set its cloth as the cheap meal for the over 80s who have to watch the pennies, do not think the price reflects this though. What a shame for such a well located facility. Beware!

20 Nov 2008 21:04