(6/10) 
Chains are bad aren't they? In fact some teaandbiscuits reviewers think they should be struck off the site. But if the food's good, there's a pint of decent ale and it all comes with a smile shouldn't we give these guys a chance? Well, we did, and they did OK, barring a few gripes.
First impressions are good. Log-lined entrance lobby gives way to a welcoming bar area and plenty of space to find a table. There's even a good selection of newspapers for the stood-up datesmith. Beer's nothing special, but there's a good chance of finding Hancocks HB and London Pride on tap, plus a good selection of wines by both glass and bottle.
Gripe 1: if the customer asks for a wine recommendation, don't gawp back at him as if you believe no fermented grape liquor should ever pass the lips of anyone but Satan.
The menu is very decent. Starters include bowls of mussels or risotto, plus a tempting goats cheese salad. But we went straight in with Sausage and Mash and a Pesto Chicken Breast (also with mash). Problem - no mash, but how about Fish and Chips they say?
Gripe 2: aren't mash and chips quite closely related? This chef evidently treats the conversion of base potato material into mash as some form of alchemy.
But we did enjoy our second choices. The fish was generous and tasty, and a Spicy Prawn Pasta did the job nicely. Incidentally, avoid the ham hock unless you want your annual recommended dosage of salt in one sitting. Desserts were not a disgrace either - Cranberry and Pecan Pie, and a Mixed Berry Pie. But steady on with your microwave Mr Chef. Pastry does not enjoy being heated to 3000°C then cooled back to room temperature in the space of 10 minutes.
Gripe 3: 10pm may be closing time for the kitchen, but that doesn't mean you have to clear every table in the restaurant as noisily as possible while mild-mannered reviewers finish their berry pies.
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alright for food when ur starving! quick service and its amazing if you manage to get home to realise u can get away without paying!
Popped back for a review update last night and there are quite a few changes. It's just been refurbed in a slightly decadent fashion but they just about got away with it. There's a new menu too, and it's quite a bit smaller. The Kerala Lamb Curry is passable on the flavour front although the meat is pretty terrible, and the Open Chicken Pie is reasonable. Desserts disappointing though: Chocolate Brownie and Pannacotta both really lacking in any great flavour. Disappointing beers on tap too, especially the Black Sheep which wasn't up to much. Nothing disastrous to report, just a little lack-lustre.
Well what can I say , first impressions (I live local and there have been recent refurbishments) we thought the changes were a huge improvement , but once the food arrived it was obvious where the budget for them had come from. If you are going to shell out on decor seating ambience etc , whats the point if you are going to serve frozen tasteless rubbish.
We had (myself partner and 2 1/2 year old child) Sunday roast , Battered Cod and Chips , Chicken Vegetables and Baby New Potatoes.
We were served a roast dinner that was reminiscent of the 80's microwave TV roast dinner , obviously not freshly cooked (reheated at best , frozen most likely!) and tasteless is a compliment. Battered Cod and chips is what it is but the fish was also tasteless and the childs meal was steamed yes steamed chicken breast , chips and peas awful plastic and anemic.
Deeply disappointing meal , we are not fussy nor critical people but felt it was such a huge disappointment after our first impression that a review was needed. You will indeed attract customers with your impressive decor but returning customers will be non existent unless you radically change your food policy.