Damson restaurant in West Berkshire

Quite a disappointing experience. No Christmas theme on our table, no Christmas decorations like the other tables had, simply because we weren't having the Christmas menu. It was our Christmas party but it just felt like a normal night. Disappointing that two of the shoulders of meat weren't on the menu, the starter shoulder of lamb was a favourite amongst us. Annoying when there are glasses on the table but no water offered. No wine list was offered either. It felt like we were a hindrance to them. We've enjoyed 50th birthdays there and other special events but on this occasion we felt alienated because we didn't select the Christmas menu and we feel very let down for our Christmas party. We spent in the region of £385-£400 including tip between 7 of us, but came away underwhelmed and deflated. Sad to say, this will not be a special place that we will come to again. There are others to choose from.

Cannot recommend highly enough. Food unreal, service unreal. 10/10! The pork belly & potatoes were a particular highlight.

Navigating the parking zones of Crabtree Valley Mall feels akin to participating in a high-stakes game of bumper cars—minus the thrill and with a higher likelihood of vehicle mishaps. It’s not unusual to witness the unfortunate aftermath of careless hit-and-run incidents, where cars sport new battle scars multiple times a day. Personally, I tend to avoid this shopping hub more often than not, a strategy that has served me well. In my youthful days, however, I was a frequent visitor to the Old Navy nestled within those crowded confines, where I indulged in a delightful shopping spree for an array of promotional t-shirts. Ah, the good old days of fashion enthusiasm! Fast forward to the present, and my interest in sartorial splendor has waned significantly. Now, my wardrobe refresh consists solely of a dozen plain black t-shirts and v-necks every three months—because let’s face it, nothing says “I’ve given up on life” quite like faded fabric from overzealous washing. Oh, and speaking of my escapades at Crabtree Valley Mall, I once made a rather extravagant purchase at the now-defunct Sears there. In an act of chivalry—or perhaps sheer folly—I bought a car battery for my then-girlfriend, who was knee-deep in statistical equations at UNC. The battery was promptly shipped off to Chapel Hill to ensure her ride would continue rolling smoothly. And let’s not forget the $600 splurge on a Sony F717 camera at that same establishment. I might as well have been funding a small country! Recently, while perusing Google Maps for their latest panoramic images, I found myself scratching my head in bemusement. It seems Crabtree Valley Mall prefers to pay someone exorbitantly for lackluster panoramic shots of its facade rather than employ someone like me, an amateur photographer who takes joy in capturing the world through my lens without charging a dime! It’s truly baffling—why pay for what could be done for free by someone with a passion for photography? Many folks believe that when it comes to paid services, quality is inherently superior. However, I firmly assert that my 360° panorama skills eclipse those of any professional panorama photographer in North Carolina by a factor of at least one hundred! Alas, it appears my talents go unnoticed, much like that lone sock that mysteriously disappears in the laundry cycle. Isn’t it just absurd? So here I am, humorously lamenting my position as an underappreciated artist in a world that values expensive over exceptional. If only they knew that sometimes the most delightful treasures are found in the unlikeliest of places—like a humble hobbyist with a knack for capturing the essence of Crabtree Valley Mall’s chaotic charm!

Excellent food and truly outstanding service. We were just passing by and decided to stop there for lunch without even knowing what an amazing place it was. We had a great experience, I'll recommend this place without any hesitations.

A delightful little cafe that was the village butchers shop in the past. It was very busy and clearly very popular.