Flame Charcoal Grill in Swindon

Poor Sunday lunch main meal. Cold plates, luke warm at best food. I never do poor online reviews but the restaurant manager not interested in the points I made. As a legal practice manager myself I found him rather unprofessional. I don't need to know that he hadn't had any other negative comments. All rather defensive. Some training needed! Starters and deserts good though but won't return.

We did not stay in the hotel but booked a table in the Flame restaurant for my wife’s 50th birthday. First impressions were not so good as 4 of us were handed 2 menus to share between us by a young and what appeared to be inexperienced waiter. We later mentioned this to who I assume was the restaurant manager who said they were plenty of menus so we should have had one each. The starters were very nice those but my main course, a 10oz sirloin fell sort of my expectations for the price it cost. Some of it was chewy and not very flavoursome. I’ve paid a lot less and had a much better steak elsewhere. On the other hand my wife’s blade of beef and kids beef burgers were excellent. The deserts were also very nice and the manager arranged for an additional desert for my wife with a candle on top for her 50th which was very much appreciated. When the bill eventually came (after finding someone to ask for it), it was incorrect and had items added that we had not ordered. This is unacceptable, very frustrating and not what we’d expect from a 4 star hotel. A basic requirement for any pub, hotel or restaurant is to get the bill correct and not charge for the wrong items. We eat out at lot and I don’t think this has happened to us before. We wanted to raise this with the manager, but he was no longer around at this point. With one or two issues that happened we were sadly a little frustrated with a meal that was planned some time ago that 4 of us were looking forward to be a special event for my wife’s birthday.

This was a xmas present a voucher for Flame. We decided on a Sunday dinner. must say not impressed for a four star venue. The starter pate with two small triangles of undercooked toast looked rubbish on the plate. Main meal Meat stunning the rest pretty poor the roast potatoes where not cooked nor was the veg. Only good point was you could help yourself to as much as you wanted minus the meat. Dessert we asked for a few mins to let our dinner go down we got asked three times if we where ready within 5 mins each time saying we would call them when ready. Ok so fast forward 15 mins we called a waitress over and said we where ready, did I take your order she asked no but you must know our table number. Ok I will find out 20 mins later we asked another waitress and bang we had our Traecle tart and custard in two mins. To be honest it wasn’t nice and half wished we had left it. The manager asked if we enjoyed our meal, so I told him my concerns and fair play he did remove the drinks from the bill. Overall I certainly would not go back there are much better venus around serving much better food.

My Grand-dad organised a get together for my Mum’s birthday and he was very pleased by the ambience and standard of food. We ordered in advance and the food arrived soon after we had sat down without problem. Everyone enjoyed their starters and the main course meats were very well cooked. Puddings were also very delicious. The only quibble was bread rolls weren’t provided despite there being a side plate suggesting there would be and my dad was disappointed by this. The staff looked after us very well and overall we had a very pleasant evening.

We went for a carvery meal and were both disappointed and surprised, as the Blunsdon House Hotel used to have a good reputation for its food. To not manage to provide decent roasties was particularly poor. The rest of the meal was just mediocre - meat over-cooked, watery cauliflower cheese, etc.

Went for lunch have used this establishment before and do return, however this time was very poor, firstly nobody took our order in the end had to ask what was happening so waited 30 mins ordered 4 of the same very easy and quick meal to produce waited another 40 mins out it came well only 3 then had to wait another 15 mins for 4th meal we only had ham chips and eggs asked to have eggs flipped, that never happened. Only four couples in the restuarant, not sure how they would cope if full. Sorry wont be returning in a hurry.

I booked Flame for my mother’s 85th birthday meal. We were a party of 17. I had to pay a £50 deposit and provide starter and main course choices 1 week before the event (10th August 2019).Those who ordered steak were generally pleased with their meal (5) @ £28.50 I would have expected them to be.However the negatives far outweigh the positives.Specifically:My 90 year old father asked for soup as he likes plain food - there was no bread or roll.My husband and I ordered the large Charcuterie (£15.00)and 2 of our party ordered the small (£8.50). The waitress could only tell the difference by the size of the plate!Despite providing our menu choices, my daughter had her salmon served as a starter.Main course- 3 of us ordered the ribs.My husband and I opted for 1/2 rack (£14.50) and my son in law full rack (£23.50).They were practically inedible and we have eaten better from the supermarket at a fraction of the price!My daughter had her salmon served again- only to discover it ‘swimming’ in water.The mixed salad cost £4.50 but only consisted of a few lettuce leaves, a couple of slices of cucumber and a small tomato! Finally the chips were small portions and clearly frozen at £4.00 / portion.None of the above is what you expect from a ‘high end’ restaurant.As this was a very special occasion and both my parents are elderly, I did not complain on the evening so as not to upset them. Our bill came to just over £500.00.I subsequently wrote and eventually received a response from Alex Roupelis - Acting Operations Manager informing me that the policy is “always dealing with food complaints at the time of issue”. Although he did say that my concerns were raised with the head chef and apologised. His final comment was “we look forward to welcoming you back in the future to exceed your expectations”.There is no way that I would return to Flame when I can eat far superior food at a fraction of the price elsewhere.

If I want burgers I go to Mcdonalds and if I want a take away pizza I go to Dominoes, not the restaurant of a four star hotel! My wife's dinner was so appalling that she complained to the supervisor and he did have the good grace to not charge for it. Mine was edible but starter sized!Extortionate prices for appalling food - not recommended.

This is a review solely of the restaurant rather than the hotel and there is little positive to say and much which echoes other critical reviews already posted by others.The blunsdon is not cheap and markets itself as high end, though despite its advertising and surroundings serves food only of the quality of a poor pub dinner in the 70s.thwy have covers for about 50 tables but only three were used while we were there on a Saturday evening. Iv eput a picture of both the menu with prices and descriptions and of the meat actually served to advise and contrast. I had a burger as it seemed less risky than anything else as I am suspicious of a restaurant with a astic bound set menu. I am even more suspicious of a restaurant that does not ask how you would like a burger cooked. What you get is a frozen Puck of compressed meat. It certainly didn't taste of beef, much more like a circus van hamburger. Similiarly the chips were lukewarm, not crispy and to my mind were made of reconstituted potato. Not a four star experience. One of our party had a steak, which arrived grey, tough and poorly cooked. Service was polite but slow in what appeared to be a routinely empty restaurant populated by more bored staff than guests. I think the business model is wrong and the entire kitchen, menu and service needs to be re thought if they are to compete with chicken shack or the local Pub for Clientele. I've no. Idea what it's like to stay here, but I'd advise driving elsewhere to eat.

AS I have said elsewhere, the menu is really done for the Chef's ego rather than the taste of the (majority) of customers. We heard this comment several times

Service was attentive, we had no negative issues whatsoever. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this restaurant.

We had a family get together of 17 people of ages from 18 months to 98 years. The table was booked at reception with a deposit a few weeks before. When we arrived one of the children were unable to go but everybody else attended. For some reason we were seated on a table of 18.We booked a table for 12:30 which was confirmed by reception when booked. It was never made clear to us what time you would have to leave until at 14:00, while some was still eating, we were told to vacate. You wouldn't mind if you didn't have to queue for 15 to 20 minutes for your roast dinner. Apparently the sittings are at 12:00 and 14:00 - this is clearly news to the reception team as well so I hope they're reading.For what it's worth the food is lovely hence the two stars instead of one.

We came here in 2017 for New Year's Eve & left underwhelmed. After some deliberation we thought we'd give it another go for New Year's Eve 2018. The cost was £158 for two, which included a buffet carvery & disco afterwards. Unfortunately we should have looked elsewhere as it was worse this time. The Flame restaurant was half empty throughout, & totally lacking in any atmosphere for such a night. There wasn't any music apart from an automatic piano tinkling away in the background. The staff just seemed to be going through the motions as well.The carvery was a big disappointment with a choice of only two meats, roast beef & roast pork. The pork was extremely bland & my partner left hers after a couple of bites. No effort had been made to season the meats with herbs or something special.The starter & desserts were pretty ordinary as well, although the salmon was nice.By the time we started our desserts the staff were clearing away the empty tables which had been fully set for dinner. All this going on while you were still eating just added to the flat atmosphere. We had a bottle of wine with the meal which was extra & finished off with a coffee which also wasn't included in the meal.To be fair the disco in Carries Bar was ok & we saw the New Year in with a glass of sparkling wine on the house.The evening wasn't value for money in my opinion. At nearly £80 per head we got a bang average carvery & a disco. Little surprise that the restaurant was half empty. Not what I was expecting from a 4 star hotel on New Year's Eve.We said goodbye to 2018 but on this showing we will also be saying goodbye to the Blunsdon House Hotel.

Wow, what an amazing place for a Sunday lunch. 3 courses for £16.95. It's all help yourself so you can eat as much (or as little) as you want. A plentiful supply of starters, including soup, 3 choices of roast meat (plus fish), endless vegetables and an awesome dessert selection. We will definitely be going back.

Came here with 16 friends on 4th August. Staff friendly and helpful from booking until we left. We have eaten here before but in dmaller groups so was a little worried that someone wouldnt be happy, but thankfully everyone got what they ordered and were very happy with the quality of food. Would also like to thank te staff in the bar area as they too were fantastic. Only thing i feel let down by is that i sent an email on the 5th August thanking all staff and this email to date has still not been acknowledged. So again "Thank You" to all the staff for making mg birthday meal with friends special.

From start to finish we had a very nice evening. The staff were friendly and made us feel welcome, the service was great and the food was delicious.

Good food at a good price. Nicely laid tables and nothing too much trouble. It gets very busy so reserving a table is recommended.

We dine at the Flame restaurant fairly often and we're not disappointed; good roast meal and plenty of choice.

I ate here for three nights. Evening meals and breakfast were all pleasant. The staff were very attentive.

As always, the service was excellent -the atmosphere was very pleasant as there was a saxophonist playing in the background. The food was very good too-we all enjoyed our starters and mains- I had the pigeon salad as a starter, which was quite spicy-but very tasty.

We used to regularly frequent this restaurant when it was under another name. This is the first time we've tried the Saturday roast Carvery and were as impressed as we used to be. Great choice over three courses. If there had to be a negative, it would be lack of biscuit or mint to go with our post meal coffee

Had a nice quiet dinner for two in this very large restaurant, mid week so it wasn't very busy. We though it was a very good menu and we weren't disappointed with the quality and flavours of the food. The only downside I would say was the prices of the starters and desserts, they seemed high given the portion sizes. My mackerel starter in particular was extremely small given the hefty price of £7.75. The menu says 'mackerel fillets' which in my book suggests more than one but what I got was part of one about 3" long! Despite this I have still rated this restaurant as very good primarily because of the very pleasant staff who served us impeccably and the taste of the food. If they had sharpened their pencil a little on the prices they would got an excellent rating from me.

There with a tour group - but chose to dine there on 'extra' evening as it had been such a lovely experience. Not disappointed in the least. Our waiter was attentive and everyone seemed to genuinely to want to please. Lovely!

The carvery offers a range of meats and a nice vegetarian choice; food is very good but at busy times the service seemed rather slow (drinks etc); worth waiting for.

Para una familia reunirse, esta es una ubicación muy conveniente. Empezamos con bebidas en la zona bastante ruidoso bar primero y luego procedió a la llama restaurante para el asador. Las opciones de arranque, asados y verduras eran normales. Los postres no estaban en un gabinete que, en un día relajado arruinó el sabor. bastante templado La mesa de madera tenía una película pegajosa con anillos visibles desde vasos y botellas, mientras que en la zona de bar tomando café al menos tres bandejas de vajilla eran cayó en personal, incrementando el nivel de ruido.

En el restaurante había cambiado su menú de temporada y el ambiente estaba muy bien logrado de primavera con sabores frescos e ingredientes de calidad. El restaurante tranquilo en una noche de jueves, y no es un espacio muy íntimo, pero el personal es amable y profesional. Todos teníamos algo diferente y todos de acuerdo la comida era estupenda.

Fiesta familiar comida de cumpleaños, como siempre, el menú es suficientemente grande sin ser ridículamente enorme como en algunos lugares que posiblemente no proporcionar dicha constantemente comida de buena calidad como la llama. Todos disfrutamos de nuestra cena de tres platos y encantador, muy razonable, vino. El ambiente es siempre agradable y relajado - el personal siempre eficiente y amable. El primer lugar para una comida familiar festiva - que sin duda lo recomendaría.

Wow this restaurant has changed massively over the years from somewhere that was your typical hotel carvery to a really welcoming classy restaurant. Service was very very good and food excellent. Can highly recommend the Shepherds pie which was one of the best I've ever had. May sound a bit boring but you have to try it to understand why it has the wow factor. Add Peroni on tap and you have a class act.

Acabamos de regresar de llamas después de una comida encantadora con mi marido. se nos saludó por nuestra camarera y sentado en la parte superior. Cada uno tenía un plato que fue rápido para llegar y caliente, la camarera era provisional y no estar en nuestras caras. El plato principal llegamos y era absolutamente precioso el pollo estaba húmedas y tierna y tenía el sabor parrilla que era exuberante y la hamburguesa era enorme! Por desgracia no había espacio para pudding ya que donde tanto WILL completo sin duda incluso si es sólo para probar el pud. Lo recomendaría para una agradable cena para 2 o más grande.

Se reunió con colegas ex de trabajo para la pesca. Segunda vez que hemos comido aquí, por la comida del hotel es un poco por encima de la media, el menú es más ancho que su hotel estándar y los platos que tenía esta vez eran bastante buenas. Cordero dos maneras y Pigeon. la última vez que comimos filetes y de nuevo, bastante bueno. El restaurante tranquilo esta noche, pero el servicio fue excelente y a un precio razonable. Es un restaurante de alta cocina, así que no es pero no está bien preparado, bien presentado y el ambiente es bueno.

Así que aquí por unos amigos cumpleaños.

Comimos en el restaurante Flame última noche (17/8/15) como un grupo de catorce. Hemos estado en el hotel anteriormente para un servicio post-funeral y decidió realizar y comer en el restaurante después del servicio.