The New Inn, Sowood

[Enter Post Title Here]

Prior to a visit to the U.K. in Late April-early May, I sought out recommendations as to where to go for a meal in the Huddersfield area to celebrate my Mothers 80th birthday with her and relatives who still live in the U.K. More than one person recommended the New Inn at Sowood. A quick check on the internet revealed positive write ups and advice to book. 7 days prior to the occasion I went in person to said New Inn. The lady I dealt with was pleasant enough and responsive to my request that we also put a few decorations around (nothing gaudy) and would it be alright if we brought our own cake as my mother is diabetic. Not a problem apparently and neither was numbers as I explained that one guest was flying in from Spain, my son and his wife from Paris (delays etc.), other people had to try and change shifts/days off. I was asked to telephone on the morning of �the do� to give an idea of numbers. Said morning came and the telephone at the New Inn remained unanswered. I drove to the New Inn from York arriving shortly after 11a.m.and was introduced to some totally disinterested individual masquerading as the person who dealt with bookings. Alarm bells began to ring but too late now. Having delivered the number of certain attendees and the possibility of a couple of late suprises for a 6p.m. booking off I trotted. Our guest from Spain had the good grace to arrive at the New Inn at 5.30p.m. with decorations, cakes, presents etc. to be met with a total denial of any knowledge of the booking. I arrived around 6.10p.m. to absolute confusion. Cut to the chase. What followed was second rate service and food charged at first rate prices. I ordered a sirloin at �16 and could have done better with a training shoe sole, sirloin coated in some unidentifiable greasy film (I couldn�t work out exactly how it had been cooked), and obviously reheated (more than once) trimmings. My wife got halfway through a smoked salmon and pasta dish and commented how strong the salmon tasted. One forkful tried by me and I told her not to eat anymore as the salmon had obviously been improperly stored. My brother ordered a chicken dish off the blackboard which was supposed to be accompanied with a selection of seasonal vegetables. Chicken delivered but after 5 minutes no sign of the veg. When my brother asked where his veg was he was told there were chips on the table to share!!! When he demanded his veg as that what it said on the blackboard he was told �if you�d just wait 30 seconds�! The chicken was overcooked and the veg was a 1st week catering student half- hearted effort. I�m in a situation here, my mother doesn�t like conflict and I don�t want to spoil her night. Nevertheless I made my view known at the end and was given the impression we weren�t the type of people they wanted and was met with hostility when I questioned the bill which was not clearly written at all. Bottom line the New Inn is knocking out mediocre fodder at expensive prices and I cannot understand why on this performance it appears to be so popular and pulling in the punters. On a final note my wife became ill during the night and dared not wander beyond a certain radius of the bathroom the following day.
I know food, my Uncle is a retired chef who worked the top restaurants in Milan and Turin and the Riviera. My son, also a chef, has Michelin star experience. I didn�t anticipate such fare from the New Inn but neither the drivel that was served up.

24 May 2012 01:59