The Angel, Woolhampton

As I have a Tastecard, which gives me discount on food, I tend to look for restaurants that are part of this scheme. My sister and I live 40 mins apart so I searched for a restaurant about mid-way and came up with The Angel Inn at Woolhampton. The Tastecard website stated that I was eligible for 50% discount on the food consumed, however, when the bill came there wasn’t any discount shown at all. When I pointed this out the waitress came back with a revised bill, it did not show the full discount. I questioned this and was told that they only gave discount on the main course, not on the starters. After considerable discussion I paid and planned to take this up further in writing once home.

The bill was not the only thing we were unhappy with. There was only one other table occupied in the whole of the pub and my sister and I were sat at an adjoining table. We started with scallops which were nice, my sister ordered risotto for her main course and I chose the salmon primarily because it came with dauphinoise potatoes which I love. The risotto was a very small portion and, considering the price of the ingredients, it was very over priced. My salmon was over seasoned but the dauphinoise potatoes had to be seen to be believed. Dauphinoise potatoes should have a crust on the top but the potatoes themselves should be soft and creamy. I was served a block of fried dauphinoise, each side was crispy so I presume the pre-cooked potatoes had been fried in order to reheat them.

Once home I e-mailed The Angel Inn, quoted the terms of the Tastecard membership and requested a refund on the food as I had been overcharged. Unknown to them I had tracked my e-mail so I know when it was received as well as when, and how often, it had been opened. I did not get a reply. I sent a second e-mail with the same result. I then contacted Tastecard and gave them all the details, they subsequently contacted The Angel and reported back to me. The Angel Inn did not like having to give the discount and have now decided to withdraw from the scheme, however, under the terms of the agreement they could not do this for 30 days and during that time were told by Tastecard to honour the 50% discount. The Angel had answered every e-mail from Tastecard but still refused to acknowledge mine. A final e-mail was sent by me with the subject “Please have the Courtesy of Replying”. Silence again. I think it is unacceptable that a business should behave in such a manner. I will never cross their threshold again nor will I recommend it. These days there is stiff competition for business and I cannot see The Angel Inn flourishing in these difficult times if they treat their customers as they treated me. My rating for this restaurant is POOR.

21 Jun 2014 17:00