The Oak Tree, Rednal

Myself and 3 other family members regularly go out for meals together,and it was just before last summer that we first went to the Oak Tree.We were impressed at the choice on the menu as you can pick from the menu on the table or go for something a little different from the large menu on the wall.We would all have a main meal with sides,a dessert and a drink for around �10-13 per person.As a result we were frequent visitors,travelling all the way from Dudley,so that must have said something.
Last year we celebrated a 40th and 60th birthday there accomodating 17 in our party with no problems.
HOWEVER....a change was afoot.Previously you decided what you wanted to eat and ordered your meals at the bar along with refreshments if you wanted,but then the management decided to alter to a table service,and this is where the problems started.
When we found our table and were seated it was seconds before a waitress appeared and wanted to take our order and fetch us drinks.We hadn't even looked at the menu yet,we had barely removed our coats.
She returned 3 minutes later to take the order,a good job we had decided roughly what to have otherwise she would have had to return for a third time.
The food came out within the next ten minutes and that included steaks,gammon,chops and ribs.A little quick for a varied order.The steak was ordered medium but was more well done.The problem with the meals in general is simple.A high cost but not enough of it.My steak was �14.95.All I got for that was a 12oz rib-eye,chips,a rock hard half of tomato and a side salad as big as a small yoghurt pot that consisted of half a lettuce leaf and one ring of cucumber,hardly a salad.No onions or mushrooms are offered unless you want to pay �1.50 extra for mushrooms,which you recieve 4 button mushrooms,and onions are not even an option,which we feel should be standard on a steak meal costing this amount.Peppersauce is another extra �1.50 which is a tablespoon of it in a tiny boat.My fellow diner had gammon and ordered a side of new potatoes,which he recieved 3 in a dish for �1.50.
During the meal every 10-15 minutes the waitress re-appeared asking if you wanted more drinks from the bar.This continued all evening.
Our final bill for the evening was almost �100 for 4 of us and bear in mind that it is a 2 for 1 pub!
Since this change we have visited the Oak Tree several times and the meals have risen in price but the portions have gone down.The same applies to the desserts,small portions,high prices.The pressure to order drinks borders on ridiculous,and as for the bar prices,well try going teetotal for the night is our suggestion.It's a great shame that this has happened as it is a pleasant place to eat,also however,as they have no area for children to be occupied or amused as the play area has been taken away,it is not ideal to have a meal with half a nursery room running around,as you have to dodge them knocking your drinks out of your hand on the way back from the bar.
If you are slightly infirm or similar do bear in mind that the toilets are down a very long steep flight of stairs.
A great shame for what was once a great pub.

27 Sep 2010 13:22