The Hare and Hounds, St Albans

Caesar,
I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your evening at the Hare and Hounds.
As you have posted your criticim on this website I think it's only fair that our side of the story is also put across. We all work extremely hard to make the Hare and Hounds a pub that people want to visit again and again, and I want to personally make sure that if there are issues with our service that they are resolved and our service improves.
I've spoken to all the staff who were working on Saturday evening, as I don't think poor service or a bad attitude is acceptable either, however their version of events is slightly different to yours.
Our barman said on the evening "sorry for any confusion i hope everything is alright" (i've paraphrased) and the response from one of your party was that it was probably our fault for getting the order wrong.
By the time you requested another dish the kitchen had closed (out kitchen closes at 9.30) and by that time had actually sold out of most dishes it had been an extremely busy day so it was impossible for them to get more food for you, I've spoken to our chef and basically all he had in the kitchen by that stage was food he had prepped for our Sunday Roasts.
We don't have toasted sandwiches or paninis on our evening menu, we don't have any frozen meals or pre-prepared foods as thats is not what we are about, we only use fresh local produce.
I believe everyone who works here does care otherwise they wouldn't have spoken to you about the confusion in ordering. They were also concerened when I spoke to them this evening that they had acted inappropiatley.
I'm sorry to hear your view that the food is mediocre, and of course that is your opionion that you are entitled to, fortunatley we have a lot of customers who enjoy our food enormously, especially the fact that it isn't brought in, or pre-cooked, but prepared and cooked on site using some great local suppliers like Hedges farm, Carpenters nursery and the Organic Redbourn Water Mill.
I'm extremely passionate about the Hare and Hounds, and personally think it is a great pub, with great food and great drinks, and staffed by people who care about the pub too.
I'm not posting this reponse to provoke an argument, but after speaking to everyone here they feel really hard done by your comments.
Pete

1 May 2008 21:02