The Rowbarge, Woolhampton

We recently lunched in the garden here on a hot summer's day. When we ordered food at the bar we were told that all the courses had to be ordered together. We were directed to collect our cutlery from an empty basket. After a fairly long wait, a waitress turned up with three desserts we hadn't ordered. After a further wait, the one first course we had ordered arrived. Then nothing. We had to go into the bar to ask where the rest of the food was. We were told brusquely that it was up to us to tell them when we were ready for the main courses. By the time they had arrived, a man had started to pump out the septic tank. The stench was appalling. We moved inside, telling the barman we had done so. A waitress then appeared to tell us crossly that no-one had told her that we had moved. We complained about the pumping of sewage while we were trying to eat, and asked to speak to the manager. He never materialised. Finally, the barman with whom we had placed and paid for the original order thoughtfully reappeared at the end of the meal to give us a second bill.

The food was no more than average, the service was appalling, and customer care non-existent. Don't touch this place with the proverbial barge pole.

22 Aug 2009 13:01