Old Black Lion, Hay on Wye

Having visited Hay for many years, the Old Black Lion has previously provided good food at a price that is more reasonable than the Three Tuns. On our most recent visit we were sadly disappointed to find the previously excellent traditional food had been replaced by over fancy pretentious dishes. That didnt taste that good either. What a shame.

Our greatest disappointment however was the treatment we received at the hands of the man behind the bar. He's previously been brusque at the best of times, however this time we fully saw his true colours. Our meal came to about £23 and we handed over £30 to pay. This man said "thanks very much" in a final way, turned round, put the change in his tips box and then walked off out of the back if the bar in to the private area, completely ignoring our cries of protest! This was not a mistake or misunderstanding, but had the appearance of a well practiced scam.

He obviously thought he could get away with it as we were just "tourists"

We won't be eating there ever again. You will recognise this charmer, if you are foolish enough to eat there, he looks like Paul O'Grady and has a particularly bright and offensive watch. Having helped himself to a £7 tip he can maybe afford a new one now.

24 Sep 2013 21:12

Blue Boar, Hay On Wye

I have eaten in the various restaurants and pubs around Hay-on-Wye for over 30 years now. A few years ago I would have rated the Blue Boar as one of the best places to eat in Hay. NOT ANYMORE! I went in with my partner for a meal Jan 2009 and the first thing that struck me was the apalling service. The bar staff had no concept of who was next to be served and I saw people just walking out muttering that they had been waiting for half an hour and were being ignored while the bar staff immediately served people who they knew who had just walked in. When I eventually got served the dithering lady who served me seemed to have no concept of how to use the till or PDQ machine. After about eight tries and four cancelled transactions we eventually managed to order. 40 minutes went by........ my partner and I had ordered bangers and mash. Mine to be fair was OK however my partners mashed potatoes were freezing cold in the middle (had obviously been superficially microwaved) we brought this to the attention of the rather sulky young dark haired waitress who took it off and microwaved it again. she gave no apology whatsoever and seemed rather annoyed to be bothered. We should have learned from this but were back at Easter. Because I have had excellent meals there in the past we decided to give them a second chance. Half of the menu was unavailable. I foolishly chose the curry option (always risky in a pub) again the dithering lady couldnt work the till. The curry was vile. Boiled white rice that hadnt been drained properly sitting in a pool of grey water. A half cooked poppadum and the watery grey chicken casserole (no spice) looked like it came out of a tin! Seriously I have had better from a foil packet on camping trips. My partner chose faggots with mashed potato. Again the mashed potato was freezing cold in the middle. We didnt bother complaining this time. I was also astonished to overhear the grumpy young dark haired waitress, lecturing the elderly couple next to us, on how she hadnt given them very many vegetables because she didnt want them to waste them!!! It gets worse...... 15 minutes after my meal I was rushing to the bathroom. The meal cost �30 for two I worked out that was about a pound spent for every minute this disgusting meal stayed in my system! needless to say I will never eat there again!

19 Apr 2009 13:47