please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Stopped off here on Friday evening on our journey further north. It was fine for a half and a quick meal. Strongarm was the only real ale. But I quite like that. So I was reasonably happy. Food was ok. Service was too, apart from an initial grumpy welcome. Looked like a nice riverside location. But it was dark when we arrived. So it was difficult to judge.
|
I've just returned from lunch at The Ship Inn and have to say, quite honestly that it was the worst meal I have ever had.
I'm a vegetarian and the only offering on the menu was a caesar salad without the chicken (so basically lettuce and croutons!!) I asked instead if I could have the Sunday roast minus the meat and was told yes, not a problem. I was then informed that the gravy also has meat in so, although disappointed at the prospect of dry vegetables I said this would be fine. My companions opted for a giant yorkshire pudding with beef and the Lamb shank. The food arrived within 5 minutes of ordering, which to me is far too soon to be of any decent quality. And it wasn't - it was awful!! I was presented with a plate with 1 (shop bought) Yorkshire Pudding, 3 (FRIED) roast potatoes and 2 new potatoes. No frills here then!! I also had a side dish with brocolli and carrots that had been nuked within an inch of their life.
My friend with the Lamb shank had a disgusting lump of bone and gristle surrounded my gravy which had already formed a film on top - oh and it was cold!! When asked at the end of the meal if we were satisfied we spoke honestly and said that we were not. The waitress left to speak to the manager and the response (after waiting 15 minutes for her to come back) was this:
"the lamb shank does have a bone in it because that's the type of cut and noone else has complained about it (perhaps they got one which didn't look like a prop from CSI!!). It's probably cold because you're sat outside (by the end of the meal yes - but not when it's supposedly just been cooked). As for the vegetarian meal, we do offer 3 other vegetarian options on the menu - a cheese flan (which was most certainly not on the menu), caesar salad (plate of lettuce) or a prawn baguette."
At this point I just had to laugh. Prawn?? No - not vegetarian, last time I checked I'm fairly certain prawns are considered to be seafood. And when I questionned the caesar salad as being vegetarian (caesar dressing is often made with anchovies) she said they could have served it without the dressing (so literally nothing but lettuce - yum!!) And their offering to resolve our miserable meal = 1 free dessert or coffee. Now I appreciate these are hard times, but I would have expected a refund for a meal of such poor quality. I am totally amazed that a pub in such a beautiful location is being run in such a way. The hideous food combined with the appalling customer service made for an awful lunchtime experience, and I do not doubt that were it not for the caravan park across the road the 'management' would have already managed this pub into the ground.
|
Generally speaking, my impressions of this place have always been favourable, and I've certainly never experienced the rudeness refered to below. It's a shame, though, that the car park is between the pub and the river - which is difficult to see, even from the beer garden. I've always found the food adequate, if a little unimaginative.
|
Not quite sure if the previous chap and us can have visited the same place!!! We came up from London at the beginning of September to visit my parents and enjoyed two lovely meals at the Ship Inn - one on Saturday evening and the other Sunday lunch. The food, although from a slightly tradional pub menu, was very good and our Sunday lunch really super. You don't get many places of that size who are prepared to serve homemade Yorkshire puddings and wow! were ours a fine example! They were HUGE! You don't get 'em like that down South! Contrary to the previous reviewer we found the service to be very friendly and efficient and there was no great wait for the food to arrive - other than that which you would expect when your meal is being cooked fresh rather microwaved (there is a disclaimer on the menu which informs you of this). My parents are local but haven't been in the pub for years because it has had a mixed reputation in the past. However, they enjoyed themselves so much that they are definately going to return now that there is a new team at the helm. The pub could do with a little modernisation in decor but we might feel that because we were looking at it with London-centric eyes. However, all in all we really enjoyed ourselves and would definatly go back. Sitting in the garden overlooking the river as the sun sets is definatly a very civilized way to spend an evening!
|
AVOID this pub like the plague!!!
We waited an hour from ordering food to it arriving... lukewarm and truly revolting - and I mean disgusting. Overpriced is an understatement also. Disgraceful service - manners and delays.
I'd sooner BBQ and eat my own bodyparts before going back to this place.
|
Under new management, a warm welcome with a fantastic view of the river.Stayed were in thier b&b for the night,food excellent (breakfast even better!!) with helpful staff. would recommend and definetly visit again!!
|
Now under new management.Friendly atmosphere, food was excellent.Location was great, with the beer garden right next to the river.
anonymous - 3 Nov 2005 17:17 |
read all comments on this page before we went but we wont be going back.Staff terrible ,couldnt be bother .food ok,but taking plates away bofore i,d finnished.You just cant get served shit placed dont go to pub.
susan - 9 Aug 2004 12:14 |
Excellent pub friendly and efficient staff who go out of there way to ensure all is well food was very good and reasonably priced plenty of parking space and rooms clean and comfortable we will be going back as the atmosphere is brilliant
frances - 30 Nov 2003 19:55 |
i work there as a kp and the foods great and its hygenic
Ian - 11 Nov 2003 19:13 |
This place should be renamed sh*t inn. full of tourists crap food, usually mass produced. just awful. can be pleasant if there is no tourists and it is warm so you can sit outside by the river
Porky - 8 Nov 2003 18:38 |
Horrible, horrible, horrible!
Riverside pub which floods regularly and exists mainly to cater for those who take boat trips up the Ouse from York. As a result, it's usually full of tourists and their screaming kids
Horribly expensive (last time I was there, a pint of Guinness and a pint of cider didn't leave me much change out of six quid), crap beer and lousy service. Avoid at all costs - I live for the day when the river floods and The Ship slips into watery oblivion ...
Simon Ward - 15 Aug 2003 11:45 |
