The Old House at Home, West Wittering

A disappointing visit to this pretty and well fitted out pub. I have been visiting the Old House at Home for some years during the summer holiday period and have always enjoyed good food and beer. The new owners are clearly struggling to make a success. When my family and I arrived we were told that they were fully booked for food despite the pub being almost empty for most of the night. It appears that they are turning over chefs at a significant rate and this very night the latest one walked out mid-service. The food once it arrived, very very late, was of a good standard and they clearly have high quality produce being delivered. If the welcome by the gentleman of the house is anything to go by, then this is where the problem lies. Both he and the bar staff appeared out of their depth, even on a day when they were not busy. His awareness of his customers was poor and his front of house manner left much to be desired. The bar staff, who appeared to be Philippino, appeared equally lost and did not give the standard of service one would expect from a village pub. The London Pride was poured with the agitator too tight and came out like a pint of Guinness, requiring substantial settlement. They were unaware of what was causing the problem.

At no stage was any offer made following our very long wait for the table and when I complained at the end of the evening, he blamed the chef and said that he did not want to stress out the landlady.

Our experience was verging on a nomination for Ramsey's kitchen nightmares. Despite the food being good, the standard of service means that people will not go back. This pub has a significant passing trade and two campsites nearly on the doorstep. They need to make the best use of the summer months or these publicans will fail.

5 Aug 2011 10:06