The Pig and Whistle, Chignal Smealey

My wife and I together with our two adult children,booked for Sunday lunch in early March 2009. The one solitary barman (landlord?) was surly and uninterested in us. We eventually managed to get somebodys attention and was given a table in the restaurant, albeit minus one chair. After this we were totally ingnored, the invisible family even! They were obviously very busy but had lots of staff buzzing around serving other tables. After fifteen minutes I decided to get some drinks from the bar, as nobody had offered us any. We waited and waited until a couple on the next table came in about thirty minutes later and got served at once. We then of course called somebody over and they got in a huff..."The kitchen is very busy you know" We asked if there was an alternative roast, turkey perhaps as we had been told on the phone when booking. "It's on the board, beef and pork, can you see?"....Right, Yes..... The food was ok but nothing special, meat rather chewy. We had one dish of veg between four, while the two people on the next table apeared to have the same dish between them. The desserts came from a frozen something purchased at the cash and carry. I found this pub very disappointing and unfriendly, they seemed more interested in their regulars. Shepherd and Neame should address this with better training for the management, as their attitude is reflected in the whole serving team.

14 Apr 2009 23:43