please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A pub 'trying' to be a restaurant, this one fails miserably. Good place to go if you want a 'long wait' for service!
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I have visited this pub many times. It looks good from the outside and has a good-sized car park. The problems arise inside the pub. On two recent visits, they seem to revel in the fact they are severely understaffed. There is one guy on the bar who is polite but oblivious of waiting customers. It took over ten minutes to get served a drink! That's poor. Then there is the food side. There is no organisation here at all; nothing welcoming in terms of 'would you like a table?' You sit, you go and order and food turns up 20 minutes later. It's nothing special. You are then effectively abandoned and never see the same waitress again. An hour later another member of staff turns up and asks if you would like a desert. You feel they don't really care at all which is a shame. They get no tip. If they just employed a group of organised, smartly dressed restaurant staff with some training they would do better but it's all a bit amateur and rag-bag. Will try other higher rated pubs next time. Shame.
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Christmas lunch at the Leathern Bottel...
Cold soup followed by a 30 minute wait.
Cold roast turkey with all the trimmings (also cold) followed by a 45 minute wait.
Supposedly hot sticky toffee pudding, served ice cold from the fridge.
Absolutely awful !!!
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I visited this pub restaurant for the first and last time a week ago with a friend. It was packed which I thought would be a good sign but then as I walked through the restaurant to our table all I could hear was complaints.
Although the staff were friendly and very enthusiastic the compliments stop there Im afraid.
We waited over an hour for our meal. When we finally got it we had nothing but disappointment as I think my teenage son could have made a better job of it......and he cant cook either!
The tables were very close together so there was no accounting for personal space, it made it interesting to be able to hear the other visitors complaining about the same kind of things though!
The portions were very small and I struggled to confirm what the meat actually was. Needless to say I wont be go back again.
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Never give these guys your personal details - e.g. when booking Christmas meals, etc. They will send junk mail mercilessly and flatly refuse to honour your legal rights to request it to stop. Horrible company.
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Its getting worse. They now close the nice family area on the lower level most days because (and I'm not making this up) "We just get too busy if we open that area.".
They're a business. Surely "getting busy" is the whole point ?
I've spoken to a couple of families that are helping with this problem by no longer using the pub and I fully intend to join them now. There's just too much silliness going on under the new management.
Big_K - 22 Apr 2011 16:45 |
A quick update on my previous post.
I was in the pub again the other evening and found that the kitchen had been closed for a couple of hours because "the chef can't cope" (they are supposed to serve food all day). When the kitchen finally reopened there was a minimum 30 minute wait on all food orders, even though the pub was once again less than half full with very few people ordering food.
A nice enough place for a drink, but don't expect a good dining experience until they sort the chef out.
Big_K - 28 Feb 2011 11:20 |
This has just reopened following yet another makeover. Gone are the bright lights, pale walls and frequent refusal to play music that gave the place a cold, clinical feel. They now have nice warm colours on the walls, mood lighting and the background jazz has been brought back. The place actually feels like a nice country pub again rather than a high street bar.
Unfortunately the service and food didn't get the same makeover. Neither the chef nor the waiter really cared enough to stop very burnt garlic bread being brought to the table. The duty manager was openly at war with the chef over his insistance that all orders had a minimum 30 minute wait even though the pub was less than half full (and many of those customers weren't eating).
They have also introduced a "Please wait to be seated" system, which was in absolute chaos. Even though the pub was less than half full, there was regularly a queue of people waiting for a table, possibly because there weren't enough staff to deal with them. Interestingly, the system only applies if you enter from the car park. If you use the main entrance or enter from the bar you can just walk straight to a table, which caused a lot of bad feeling with those queueing.
Given the improved ambience its worth popping in for a drink, but they still have a long way to go before I could recommend eating here.
Big_K - 14 Feb 2011 10:31 |
Sharps Doombar tasted very good, but the pub is so 'plasticky' inside
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booked to go here for a 50th birthday family meal, service was very slow, food was only ok . have been in the past and had a good experience i would suggest that the management should teach their staff to communicate with the customers. if people knew there was a problem i.e short staffed,full menu not available customers would be more understanding .
angeg - 26 Sep 2010 19:19 |
Good bear, variable food. However, I love this place because of an amusing episode (to me, anyhow). I ordererd my pint, and saunted over to the fruit machine whith my change. Put in a quid and dropped the (then) �40 jackpot. Scooped up the coins and got them changed for notes at the bar. I then warned a regular to keep away from the bandit, as I had just fleeced it. He thanked me for my comradely spirit. I had a 50p coin, so, on my way to the toilet, I put in the 50p, and dropped the �40 jackpot again....
anonymous - 9 Sep 2010 09:32 |
Perfectly acceptable pub although has had rather a chequered history. Good choice of proper ales and the nosh is pretty good as well. Hope it stays that way.
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Attended an enterntaining "Meet the Brewer" evening the other night. Low beams a challenge for a tall man, but the beer (Adnams, Nethergate and Sharp's Doom Bar) all tip top with reaosnbaly friendly service. can;t comment about the food, but been tiold it's hit and miss.
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Absolutely dreadful.
Slow and unprofessional service.
My meal was inedible!
They just cant cope with a table of 12 on a Saturday night.
NEVER AGAIN!!!
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Now has FIVE ales on the go, including two guests. Good stuff
Soft rock classics of the 80's on the speakers puts me off a bit though!
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The usual watering hole for a late Sunday lunch is The George, just down the road in Woodley. Today, though, The George was heaving and there was no sign of a table for a considerable time.
So we wandered off in to Wokingham and decided that after 2+ years since our last critical visit, we should see how the Bottle has developed.
What a revelation!!!!!
The guy who greeted us at the door was warm, friendly and welcoming and went to lots of trouble consulting the chef to identify gluten-free items on the menu.
The service was excellent, and all the staff we came in to contact with were friendly and made us feel welcome.
The food was hot and tasty and arrived with a minimum of delay.
A thoroughly enjoyabe time and I have no doubt we shall be back.
Well done to all concerned.
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Very large restaurant/pub just outside Wokingham.
Nicely kitted out inside, with three real ales on last night (the ubiquitous Courgae plus two guests, Caledonian XPA and a Hardy's brew, both of which were in good condition). Well worth stopping for a beer.
Given how cavernous the place is, the bar really needs to be made bigger as I can see how they fail to cope when the place fills up.
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i drink and eat in the leathern bottel about 3-4 times a week,
i bring clients there for lunch,
and i bring my family and friends in the evenings.
I think this place is great!
they try and keep kids to a minimum,
the place is so busy every day, and the staff are friendly.
the food is generally good if not great,(only one dodgy meal i have ever had there)
there are very few pubs in short walking distance of my house, and to be honest i wouldn't go to any of the others!
the managers and staff all seem to know what is what,
and yeah sometimes they look like they are struggling,
but what do you expect with a beergarden as big as theirs,
i don't think their kitchen suddenly grows when all the hundreds of people all descend on the place at the same time.
so obviously food will take its time occasionally
but i also think that the food is well worth the wait!
i am sick of people moaning for the littlest things.
if it is that busy in the place, then expect a certain ammount of time for stuff.
it is a pub
not a restraunt
if you want full on waiter service then go to prezzo in town!
and the barstaff are always gonna struggle with the size of the bar, you can't fit anymore than 3 behind it.
so when you all want serving at the same time, try being patient!
and try being polite!
as a customer i see so many rude arrogant idiots that never bother to say thankyou or please.
did your parents never teach you any manners!
so what i think i am trying to say is...
the Bottle is a great local pub, a great destination pub, a great summer outdoors pub.
the only thing that ruins it, are the rude customers!
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Staff are rude and seem uninterested in your needs, the waiting time for food is disgraceful - the place was much better when it had the "funky forest"!! keep clear
anonymous - 25 Apr 2006 23:29 |
Went to this "pub" Sunday ,party of 6 . First table offered had 6 chairs around a table sit for 4 persons. Waiting with drinks for a while, oftenbeing movedbecause WE were in the way !!!! (Kitchen/waitress)Eventually had an acceptable table, when customers where begining to finish meals and leave approx 2pm After selecting and ordering our chosen meals, we were then informed that there will be a 40 minute wait... this turned out to be an hour in real time. On arrival of the long awaited `meals (s)` first we had to re read the menu and go to find a member of staff and point out that the accompanying items are missing ie stuffing, saugae with bacon, onions rings mushroom , the list goes on. The fish pie had a very impressive puff pastry top,but the fish had gone back to the sea with the evening tide . The lassanga was dead I am sorry to say, we think it had died while waiting for a customer, it looked like it had been stood in Italy before serving..... The gammon was not.... the list goes on. When we were asked "is everything okay with your meals" we all said in very clear voices NO. this was not of any interest to the staff. On payment this question was once again offered by another member of staff, who received the same answer, needless to say this also was received with little interest. over �77 was spent The pub is poorly managed and the chief should be shot drawn and quartered (but not used for BBQ food!!! ) WE WILL NOT GO THERE AGAIN.
WHEN I ARRIVED HOME TWO MEMBERS OF THE PARTY WERE NOT FEELING TO WEEL (THE FISH PIE PEOPLE) I RANG THE PUP AND SPOKE TO THE SIAD MANAGER WHO TELLS ME HE HAS JUST COME ON DUTY, AND THAT HE WAS SORRY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND TO INFORM HIM OF THIS EPISODE VIA E-MAIL, I AM THINKING WHY , I HAVE JUST TOLD HIM WHAT MY ISSUE IS/WAS OVER THE TELEPHONE. WHY IN HE...`S NAME DO I HAVE TO, HIS JOB IS TO MANAGE THE PLACE. NOT SPEND TIME READING E-MAILS. GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE TWO FISH PIES ARE NOT COMPLANING OF FEELING UNWELL TODAY... STILL WILL NOT BE GOING BACK NOT A GOOD CATCH.....
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Looks great from the outside...
Visited it recently and waited nearly two hour for our food. Won't be visiting again!!!
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Good looking pub both inside and out.
But what a shame!!
Came to the Bottle for lunch with a friend. We both ordered HOT baguettes, which came out COLD!
If they cant even get baguettes right what can they!
The food is ok if you like microwaved food, very pricey for what you get.
Friendly staff and nice pub.
Won't return!!!
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Me, my husband and my Mum went to this pub today [Easter Sunday] and I have to say we were pleasantly surprised, we phoned up to book a table [being easter we thought it would be busy] and they said to be there for 12pm, we did'nt know why but seen as we have never been to this pub we thought it would be a good idea just incase. I said to the staff could we have some drinks in the bar because eating at that time is far too early and they were very helpful, they said it would'nt be a problem.
We arrived at the pub at 12pm and we thought it looked a very relaxed pub, when you have your Mum with you that was very helpful!! They showed me the table while my husband was getting the drinks in so we knew where to go when we were ready.
So we sat down just by the log fire and had a few drinks before our meal, then after a while I asked the waitress what the procedure was and they were very helpful, then they just mentioned that we should eather go to the table or have your meal where you are because we cant keep two tables free, we thought that it was'nt fair for others so we said we could have our meal where we were when we were ready,the waitress bought our place mats over and left us alone, my husband spotted some papers by the bar and we read them quite comfortably while we were drinking!!
A hour and a half went past and I was getting hungry so we decided to eat, well the choice I could'nt believe my eyes!! I love food [you might of guessed] and that was just great I have never seen so much choice!! There was what was in the menu and on the specials board, I choose Lamb which was a sunday dinners choice, my Mum had rainbow trout and my husband has Sirloin steak [he had it rare], not long after we orded it the meal came and oh my it was massive, I did'nt think there was'nt much veg but oh yes it was!! veg was just how I liked it!! My husband said the steak was cooked just how he liked it and he is quite pickey!! My mum liked her trout it came as a hole fish!! I could tell it was freshly cooked food and not that microwaved food you get in some pubs!!
We finished it and then I think the maneger took our plates away, he was very nice and chatty and asked us if it was ok and we agreed because it was, then we had pudding!! what a selection!! We then decided and well it was very nice, my Mum could finish it!! My husband had to nelp her!
We then sat for a while and disgust that we would have to go for a walk!! My husband got the bill and he was shocked how little it cost!!
We would most likely come back, this pub would be great for the older generation and couples, children are welcome but away from the bar so it's quite nice for though's of you who have'nt got children or want a break from them!! Because you cant see them or hear them, but though's who have they can scream as much as they like because it's ok too! I would'nt bother booking a table because you can easly get one, this pub is great anytime of the year!
Me and my husband will come back at some point, this pub would also be nice in the evening when you want to unwind and chat amongest yourselves with not that horrible banging music in the background which you cant hear yourselves think too, if you know what I mean! Gosh I'm getting old if I'm saying things like that!!
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We have come to expect the LB to be reliable rather than exciting. Part of its charm is the pleasant non-smoking dining area, with the tables each in their own nook; you never find yourself listening to another party's conversation or trying to filter out the screeching of children. The local cabaret is provided by the waitress's crazy inch-thick lipstick, and they have a most pleasant Zinfandel on their wine list, which for me makes it a good place to go on a Friday night.
Karen - 31 Oct 2004 13:34 |
Well, "Cheers", it is admirable that you support your peer group but you must be careful (note the spelling) to accept that people who complain see their complaints as valid and vote with their feet. Don't make the mistake of thinking that your generation, and the Leathern Bottle is irreplaceable - I have not been back to the pub since I last posted on this site in November last year and I shall not return until I hear from friends that the standard has improved a lot (note the spelling again).
You should also read the posting from one of your own chefs (December 2003) that says the waiting staff is just not up to the mark.
It is such a shame because the Bottle is a lovely pub let down by the fact that the waiting and bar staff just cannot cope when it gets busy.
Go down to the George in Woodley (same chain but itself not a brilliant pub)and take a look at how customers should be served when the place is throbbing on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Learn that any retail business is hard and even the best will receive far more criticism than praise. Meet that not with sullenness and a grim face, but with cheerfulness and a smile.
PsychO - 31 Oct 2004 01:27 |
I want to say that this is really great pub and I have never had any problems with it!! I think that some people need to be carefull what they are saying about the staff because I think allot of the older people forget that if it wasn't for us 16-19's then you wouldn't any where to go and drink!!
cheers - 29 Oct 2004 14:25 |
Like going to this pub and it has a nice atmosphere and burning log fires. On the food front its a good pub for snacks but not that impressed with the main courses. Our food came with veg but I wouldn't call one slice of courgette and two pieces of cauliflower a side dish of veg. On one occasion a woman on an ajoining table complained because her pudding was still frozen!
Anyway it sounds like I am complaining a lot but its a great pub for a drink in the evening but the main meals are over priced so eat at home before you go!
Cathy - 3 Mar 2004 14:55 |
This pub serves draught Becks beer at the right temperature. You won't get that any old where.
The food is plentiful, good quality and cheap; there are advantages to having the bulk-buying abilities of a chain. I've always found the staff to be very friendly.
The pub is obviously popular with families. Friday evenings are very busy.
Customer - 18 Feb 2004 18:29 |
I am currently a chef at this pub and after reading some of the comments,it is fair to say that when we are busy the waitress's arnt up to standard but do try their hardest!We have just recently introduced a new christmas menu which im sure will please everyone.The pub is mainly directed to the older generation due to the style.Generally this pub is popular and i would recommend it to any one!
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Well, I went back there recently as the manager's guest (although I said nothing about that until the bill arrived).
Sad to say not much had improved.
This is a great pub at off-peak times, but unfortunately the staff are just not up to busy periods and this has to be connected with the age groups employed.
Waiting staff cannot bring you a drink; they are all under 18; bar staff are only 18 or 19 and get too easily in to a flap when people are four deep at the bar, as was the case on my last visit.
Guess I'll just stick to Monday lunch times. Shame!
PsychO - 27 Nov 2003 20:36 |
Great pub for food and always a lively atmosphere created by a lot of talk as against a lot of music..
Plenty of table both inside and outside and definately worth a visit if feeling a little peckish. Good range of dishes to suit all pockets/tastes..
BaldEagle96 - 27 Nov 2003 10:39 |
Went Wednesday lunch - first rate, service food and beer. A clear 91/2 out of 10!
Went the follwoing Saturday evening - very disappointing! Waited 55 minutes for food which was completely indifferent (AND expensive). Clearly the staff do not know how to cope when it's busy.
Cider drinkers - it's fine you if you like draught Strongbow, otherwise forget it! That's all there is.
I felt strongly enough to write letters of complaint to both the licensee and Scottish and Newcastle Retail's Managing Director!
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Fantastic pub, friendly staff, old style decor. Great food menu. Families are welcome. but they have areas where kids aren't allowed for those of us that want to drink in peace.
Nice beer garden. Drinks a little expensive, but as it's a nice pub you won't mind paying a bit extra.
Ed - 22 Jun 2003 16:14 |
