The Tontine Inn, Melverley

Dull, Dull, Dull - that about sums up how this pub is. I recall the beginnings with the new opening some time back and there were signs of some good work being put in. The staffs were friendly and the place was crisp and clean, following an extensive re-work. Like so often with these places, once a footfall is achieved, they seem to go off the boil and boy have they gone of the boil here.

We booked a table for four at 20:15, we did not get the table until 20:55 that would be fine if we had been kept informed but nothing by way of an apology for the delay was forthcoming. The staffs were like automatons, there was no conversation no interaction and they were simply uninterested. The once pristine tables are now sticky with goodness knows what, very unpleasant.

The food has also sunk to the depths of very poor �pub grub�. All of the starters were severed with a plateful of slashed lettuce; our Haggis came with marmalade � straight out of the jar � simply awful. The mains faired no better, whilst the steak looked to be a good piece of meat; it was serves almost raw to a request for medium rare. The Sea Bass were served with a stunning lack of care and were overcooked to dry and almost inedible. Likewise, my �slow roasted� pork loin was smothered in a sickly sauce and consisted of slices of something akin to boot leather.

In summary, dreadful service, dreadful food � they seem to have lost their way at the Tontine. Did I complaint to them � no, there seemed no point; they were not interested in us as customers.

29 Aug 2010 08:43