Fox & Grapes

Sadly, i think this place has had it’s day and survives on the crowd who are too set in their ways to try anywhere new.
We went on Sunday for an unplanned lunch out and I was initially surprised @ 1.30 to find it not packed to the rafters as we’ve seen on previous visits where we’ve waited nearly an hour for a table.
After this visit, I wouldn’t wait for a table there again anyway.
We were seated fairly swiftly but ordering drinks took longer than I’d expect and the place wasn’t overly busy.
The waitress was a little over friendly when we’d placed the orders walking away with a ‘cheers’- erm, what happened to a good old Thank You?!
We waited about 25 mins for our lunches which weren’t very complicated dishes–
–Fish cakes and chips
–Fish cakes and salad
— Pie and mash
–Pasta Primevera
They pasta and fish cakes arrived together and then my pie was brought out– I could tell from it being put in front of me that it wasn’t too warm and in poking my finger into my mash discovered it was actually cold.
I immediately asked for the plate to be taken away which it was, brought back 3 mins later only slightly warmer (clearly microwaved!) and minus the gravy so this had to be brought back– at this stage that was also only luke warm and had ‘separated’.
My Mr’s pasta had no heat to it either and despite specifying ‘asparagus/​green beans/​broad bean and cream’- the veg was quite lacking but in it’s place was a lot of peas and it was all stuck together– not creamy as it’s suggested– I would have sent it back but he doesn’t like to complain and said it was ‘acceptable’ in taste.
The in-​laws did comment that their ‘smoked haddock fishcakes’ not only were not smoked fish, but were not haddock either!
We had asked for another round of drinks when the food was brought out but these never came and in all fairness, with the shoddy service we’d already had we didn’t bother trying to attract them back to the table.
Eventually– I think 15 mins approx after we’d been sat with empty plates, the ‘manager’ came to clear the plates and almost bellowed at us ‘pudding’- I take it from this that it was him asking if we wanted dessert– with service like that who would want to hang around for dessert?!
We politely declined and he was gone, quick as a flash before we could ask for the bill.
It then took 15 mins longer for us to attract him back to request the bill and OMG (yes, i have just written that down!!!) — he shouted over the dining area to the waitress– ‘gets these the bill’ .
Where the hell have peoples manners gone!
My in-​laws were quite embarrassed and we couldn’t pay and get out of the place quick enough.
If I could give no stars then I think this experience deserves it however there were a few redeeming features–
–We were seated quickly without a reservation
–The pie was lush– says on menu it’s award winning and I’m not surprised
–There is always plenty of parking.
This place is a bit out of the way so a bit more of an effort should be given for a better all round experience.
The staff are just lacking in any form of Customer service and the food has also taken a turn for the worse.
I’d say bypass this place and head either to the Wellington or New Inn (formally Bracken Fox) for better nearby alternatives!

This pub got done out a few years ago and it was absolutely fantastic. It had superb food and beer with a great atmosphere and a great layout. Unfortunately over the last couple of years it’s started to go down hill. It isn’t as clean as it used to be and the food just seems like warmed up microwave meals on a plate. The staff are still very friendly and the service is great, they just need to have a good tidy up, polish the tables and sack the chef.