The Royal Standard of England, Beaconsfield

This is my first time I have been compelled to leave a comment regarding a pub that I have visited.

My first visit to the Royal Standard of England for many years was for a Christmas function last year. We found the pub to be back to its best that I remember of it � fabulous food and drinks, with an amazing selection of beers, and great ales and wines, along with cheerful, helpful and friendly staff. I have been back a few times since and have found it to be equally good, with the exception of my most recent visit.

We went for Sunday lunch. We expected the pub to be busy and came armed with ample time and patience. Unfortunately one of the chaps behind the bar wasn�t so patient (or polite, for that matter). He was a tall thin Italian that seemed to do very little but harass and yell at the other staff. The staff were under a lot of pressure as it was, as it seemed to be an extra busy Sunday (even for this pub), and this chap (I guess he was the manager the way he was bossing people around) was not in any way helping the situation. When I did notice him serving a customer, he seemed to do it with the same rudeness as he was using on the staff. Quite a disappointing surprise for this pub, and also an example of behaviour that I hope other staff do not adopt.

Anyway, once we ordered and found a table, everything was up to its usual high standard. It is just unfortunate that the experience was tarnished within minutes of walking in the door.

2 Nov 2006 22:16