The Roebuck, Hampstead

Went to the Roebuck with a large group of friends for Christmas lunch. Hugely disappointing. Portions were stingy and the food poorly cooked - verging on inedible. As the food didn't arrive until gone 2pm and we had hungry kids with us, it was too late to send the food back and go somewhere else, so we struggled through, but under different circumstances, i would have walked out.
The veggie option was limp pasta in tomato sauce, the roast beef came out as shriveled rump steak that was tough as old boots. The roast potatoes were covered in black bruises, the carrots and sprouts, i can only assume, were left over from last year. For �10 a head i'd have felt ripped off - but The Roebuck had the cheek to charge us �20 a head for two courses. Disgraceful.
When we spoke to the Manager, our complaints fell on deaf ears. She was unconcerned that we'd had such a bad experience. When we saw people being served huge plates of lovely looking roast beef with yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings (for �11!), she explained that they had ordered off the Sunday lunch menu, but we'd ordered off the Christmas menu, which is provided by Youngs centrally. If we had a problem we should take it up with Youngs. So tough basically (though not as tough as the steak we were served...).
I'm taking it up with Youngs - but thought i'd warn you too. I won't go there again - that's for sure.

20 Dec 2009 12:05