Really lovely location spoiled by a really boring menu and super grumpy staff and quite expensive. Was a little shocked when I asked if it was possible to change something instead of a human response I got a grunt and a point to the sign on the wall that says no changes. Like that's ok but no need to be so rude. It's not just me either saw a lot of that happening to other people. The little cute ducks are cool. Just got the feeling that everyone working there really really hates their jobs.
Food very overpriced and slow service. Restaurant dirty and messy throughout. Pizza boxes in the cake display cabinet, crumbs everywhere, dirty cups and generally grotty feeling. Food gave both of us an upset stomach as well so really wouldn't recommend this place.
Owner also very rude on arrival pushing back of my chair asking me to keep the way to the exit clear.
We only had 3 kids meals as wanted something light had kids burger kids nuggets and fish gougens the best I've had anywhere and the staff and service are first class will be back
Our favourite restaurant in Seaton which has now unfortunately shut down which is very sad. We loved all the food, especially the dirty fries which are epic. They had a great selection of beers including Elvis juice which is my favourites.
Good luck to the owner ( chef ) and his Dad who does front of house in whatever the do in the future.
I'll start by saying that we opted for the midweek, reduced price set menu. If we were to have paid full price, I would have been more disappointed and scored lower.
The food overall was mixed, but overall of fairly good quality. Only 2 courses did I actively enjoy (hake and venison). The risotto was over cooked, to me. The others had some good elements but didn't really work (salted caramel butter was delicious, but was quite strange with the soup. Basil was very distracting to the lemon dish in my opinion).
Again, perhaps due to the "using up ingredients" idea of the menu, 2 citrus desserts seemed too much.
It was also frustrating not to know what the courses were, even after we'd arrived. If we'd seen the menu beforehand, maybe we would have reconsidered - but maybe this is the idea? Captive audience? It is also impossible to pick a wine because you don't know what you are getting.
Effort had gone into the food though, it just felt like some of the ingredients were quite bluntly put together.
The majority of the reduced score was because of service, though.
We tried to book via phone over the course of 2 days, and had no answer. We then booked online. When calling to confirm our booking on the night, the lady who answered was a touch rude.
When arriving, the same lady didn't make any effort to welcome us at all, and said she'd get someone (front of house manager).
I'd also advise you make the front door/entrance clearer and more inviting.
We were seated, drinks order taken, and then didn't have our existence acknowledged for 30 minutes. No bread etc.
The first course was very small (no problem with that) but it was then a further 35 minutes until the next course. At an hour and 5 minutes in, we'd had just an amuse-bouche. At this point we were getting very hungry, and there was no apology or recognition of the delay. Is this the norm?
The whole thing took 3.5 hours with about 30 minutes between each course.
Courses would quite often come with almost no word said by the waiting staff - the youngest waitress was most friendly.
The food was quite good though, and perhaps if we'd have seen the menu beforehand or decided to go for a la carte, we'd have been happier with it. Then again, we would have been expected to pay double - at which point, I think the quality falls well short of the Elephant Restaurant in Torquay for example, which would be the same price.
I left feeling quite annoyed, which is unfortunate, given it was meant to be a midweek treat.
Would we return? Maybe for a reduced price midweek a la carte.
March 2023