Review

Have visited several times over the last few months as there is an outside play area which is good at keeping the children amused. Today however was the worst experience and I think deserves a mention. It was a lovely sunny evening, so although I'd booked a table in the restaurant we asked to be seated outside by the marina. The waiter told us that it was fine to sit outside but we'd have to order our food at the bar - this despite having booked a table and there being the only party in at the time. We chose food and went to order at the bar as instructed. We then were asked to pay as they had had some trouble with people leaving without paying! There was no childrens option on the menu and the vegetarian options were poor. I felt somewhat irritated at paying restaurant prices but getting a second rate pub service - 4 starters and 4 mains, 1 round of non-alchoholic drinks £62 - sauces in plastic packets and cheesy garlic bread stuck to the napkins it was served on. The pasta dish chosen as a vegetarian option was extreamly poor as were the burgers which rather than being homemade as you might expect of a restaurant were clearly of the frozen variety - mine came home in a napkin for the dog!. Did not feel like good value - I suggest that if you are providing 2 levels of service then have a separate "bar" menu.

Great welcome when we arrived - service was very friendly and efficient - seating comfortable with pleasing decor. Very good portions of excellent, well cooked food and attentive staff made for a very enjoyable evening meal. We will be making a return visit very soon.

I was extremely disappointed at the service, food and atmosphere of this establishment, especially after hearing good things! The staff were miserable, unhelpful, and looked at me as if I was something they had scraped off the bottom of their shoe. We asked to be seated and were told it would be at least 15 minutes, despite us being able to see 3 empty tables. We then requested a particuar table, near the window, so we could watch our three children playing in the park, and after another ten minutes were then told 'they had changed their mind and sat us at the back?!' Again, I re-iterated, that after waiting nearly half an hour for a table, we would like to keep an eye on our children, and we didn't want the table at the back, so our disgruntled waitress set about cleaning the dirty table we were now sat at. I would like to say the food was lovely, but I have never tasted anything so offensive! The 'roast' potatoes had baggy skins and were sloppy inside, the carrots, brocolli and caulifower were cooked ok, the yorkshire pudding were a gelatinous mess and I can't really comment on the meat as they had run out of everything by 2pm (despite boasting a 12-6pm service) except Beef. You'll be astounded to know that, in this day in age, the Lazy Otters vegetarian option is just that, a plate of vegetables... the Roast without the meat!? Which for the sake of an extra yorkshire pudding, costs exactly the same as a whole dinner. I will never be eating here again, or recommending it to anybody. Twenty quid wasted.

We tried this place following new management in December 2009. The food quality has improved immensely. All we had was homemade and was delicious. Generous portion sizes, and excellent value too! Excellent range of well-served ales and ciders. We will be returning regularly.

Thanks