Ferryboat Inn, North Fambridgeback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
It's the first time in years that me and my wife have gone out for Christmas dinner so when some friends asked us whether we would like to go to this pub as that have been going there for a long time for lunch ,
I'm just sorry to say that this Christmas dinner was not very enjoyable as I live on the dengie we where looking forward to visiting this pub again but if the quality of food has dropped to this poor standard I my friends will not be return ing.
The only thing I must point out is that the staff where very friendly.
|
Used to like going here for a drink as staff were friendly, Since the new manager took over a couple of weeks ago its not the same.
He has no personality to run a pub and just gets in the way while the regular staff are trying to do their jobs.
He has also put the prices up, my two drinks now cost me 80 pence more.
Feel sorry for the staff who have to work for him.
My rating is 1 for the Manager and 10 for the pub and staff.
|
Quite possibly the worst customer service I have ever experienced with a very rude managaress called Bev. Dull tired looking room, very basic and although we didn't have high expectations, manners cost nothing! Woken up by loud thudding on the door and told we need to get out of the room by 10am, check out time was not communicated upon arrival, however we had been promised that breakfast (included in the rate) would be brought to the room at 9.30am which as you may have guessed never arrived. We explained that we would be out very soon and that we had not been aware of the checkout time as it is not detailed anywhere in the room. About 15 minutes later we have the pleasure of more loud banging on the door and a staff member comes bursting into the room, rummaging for the directory which is hidden away under the tea and coffee tray to point out the check out time angrily. Now this is gold because it says 10.30! Communication doesn't seem to exist in this place which she agrees with saying that she's worked there for 11 years and thought it was 10am. When we pay for the room Bev accuses us of having double occupancy in the room and not single, even though we had said double from the start, plus reconfirmed the night before and on arrival, she later apologized for this but absolutely no genuine apology, no breakfast and feeling very ripped off for having paid �60 for appalling service we leave hungry and with a sour taste in our mouths. What a way to put a dampener on a weekend! Absolutely do not stay at this shocking place, as Bev said herself we are a pub not a hotel, well don't advertise yourselves for accommodation, I'm not sure how they even got a rating, so my advice would be to save yourself a shockingly bad experience and stay at one of the many other hospitable b&bs in the area.
|
This pub is in a beautiful and peacful setting, has a sunny conservatory/sun lounge.
The food is very well presented and cooked to perfection.
The staff are polite and friendly.
Well worth a second visit.
|
We chose this pub from a number of others because of the positive reviews and the picturesque setting... What a disappointment! Firstly, don't bother using google maps to get directions as they were very poor and sent us off course. I would try AA route planner or just use an A-Z.
Onto the pub - we passed a few pubs on our extended journey, but decided to push onto the pub of choice. That was our second mistake! We eventually arrived at The Ferryboat Inn at 2.30pm. It just so happened that they finish serving food at that time on a sunday so we just got our orders in. The pub is very unappealing from the outside, on stepping in it seemed to have a good atmosphere, but avoid sitting in the conservatory as it is very dated and sterile.
I am willing to give them a slightly easier time over the food as it is never good to arrive just as serving is ending. However, it was certainly not the plain home-cooked food we had been expecting from the reviews. Plain, yes, but more like home frozen and microwaved than anything. My starter of calamari was nothing special, a very basic salad no dressing and stringy calamari. The batter seemed fresh and the bread and butter was tasty so that just about saved it. My partner had a 'tasty garlic and tomato soup', which appeared to be homemade.
I opted for the beef roast dinner as my main. Considering the price, approx 7 pounds, it was not good at all. I compared it unfavourably to Harvester meals, and it was certainly well below a Toby carvery.
They was a piece of string in my meat, the veg was plain and the potatoes hard. The best things about it was the beef, flavour and quantity good if a little tough and yorkshire. I left quite a lot of the veg as it was so dull to eat. My partner chose the only vegetarian main meal option which was garlic mushrooms, chips and salad. Well... I came back from the toilet to find my sorry looking roast and my partner gulping over a HUGE portion of battered mushrooms, overdone chips and basic salad. 20 mins later it still looked as if they had just bought her plate out... a ridiculously large portion that would have made Gordon Brown have a panic attack. There was no way she could finish it.
We each had a pint of coke, so I can't comment on what the booze was like. However at around 25 quid for both of us it was overpriced. As for the friendliness of the staff, they were decidedly lukewarm to us. Not recommended.
|
I've been going here for 11 years and eating approx every 2 to 3 weeks. Nothing fancy here - just good plain home cooking at a fair price.Staff are exceptionally friendly which is why we travel 12 miles to get here most weekends. Sylvie, the landlady, has known my daughter since she was two and makes her and us feel like family freinds - and I guess we are.We even walk their dog!
|
A wonderful little pub, with some good ales, and the food is very good value for money.
It's in a idyllic walking area, and if you fancy a walk...the journey from the "Ferry Boat Inn", along the estuary into Burnham, and a drink or two at the "Ship inn" is a wonderful afternoon! Both serve good ales, and in wonderful locations for different reasons.
|
Great position for a pub . I took 20 minute stroll from rail station for this oasis . Well worth it !!
|
Idyllic pub (free house) with lovely atmosphere used by many locals. The food is great and cooked freshly to order. Beer well looked after.
anonymous - 20 Sep 2005 14:50 |
Wonderful country pub by the estuary in an idyllic part of south Essex (yes, such places do exist). Great atmosphere; great beer; and told by friends that food is great too. On the train line to Southminster so leave the car at home and enjoy!
Darren in the City - 16 Jul 2003 14:25 |
|
