Abysmally slow service, provided by waiters that always seemed to be chatting, despite there being other tables waiting to be served. I've been a gourmet diner all my life and I can hardly remember such chaotic service. There was clearly no line of communication amongst the staff, as result two of our orders were wrong and the group had to leave hot food, grow cold waiting for the corrections on the previous two orders. That is despite the long wait for our drinks and food. General impression is there isn't real leadership or orientation for the young staff, that despite being polite were a bit lost and all over the place. Saw someone with spiky hair and suit, at one moment that looked like he could be a manager, but he ducked and scurried away as quickly as he appeared. Food on a whole was 'ok', this was a real let down. The food used to be really good, we dined there previously in the spring and summer and had really good experiences. It just seems unnecessarily over priced now.
Worthing Tennents
What a shame. The food was excellent when it arrived... 1 hr 15 after we sat down. Drinks were slow as well, and generally the staff were chaotic. And that was with only two other tables occupied. Could be great if they got their act together.
MarianneS
Food was superb Service was perfect, attentive but not intrusive. Great ambiance. Highly recommend.
SteveL
Brilliant food, phenomenal staff. Johan, our waiter for the evening was possibly the nicest person I've ever met, couldn't do enough for us, the most caring of people and really made our evening a delight. We've eaten here twice, they've changed the recipe for the twice baked souffle and to be honest this version wasn't as nice, still good but the first one (with cheese sauce) was unbelievable! The staff are brilliant and so attentive, they brought us some truffles to celebrate our anniversary and the general ambience of the Bistro is first class. It's always a joy to eat here and every time we stay in Chipping Campden we make a point of eating at the Bistro!
KateS
Those serving in the bar were brilliant, polite, quick and nothing was too much trouble - by contrast those serving when we went through to the bistro seemed a bit lost and service was extremely slow. It took about half an hour for our order to be taken and then another half an hour before anything arrived. Once it did arrive, the food was beautifully presented and very tasty although very limited for vegetarians. We didn't stay for dessert or coffee because it was too late...we booked for 7.30pm, went to our table at 8.15pm and left the restaurant at 11.00pm! Nearly 3 hours for 2 courses.
Alison W
I checked out the online menu before booking and was very impressed; always a deal breaker. On the night, we were not seated in the Bistro, but in the hotel dining room, and the menu was completely different and more expensive - too pretentious for our liking. I thought we were in the wrong restaurant and queried it with the waiter, but he said that the dining room and the Bistro were the same and had the same menu. I said that it wasn't the one I'd checked out online, and he apologised and said they hadn't updated it. As we had someone disabled with us, and it was getting late and I had no idea if there would be a table free at another restaurant nearby, we had to pay out the extra money for a menu we didn't want. The food was very nice, actually, when they got it right - I said I could not eat green garnish or leaves, but the food was served with them. I was beginning to despair by then. It was a joint 80th birthday celebration for our guests, but it turned out to be a rather fraught evening. I see that they have now updated their menu.
We had a lovely meal and the service was great. Johan really looked after us. The lamb and the pork were both excellent.
AlisonWeir2019
I checked out the online menu before booking and was very impressed. We were not seated in the Bistro, but in the hotel dining room, and the menu was completely different and more expensive - too pretentious for our liking. I thought we were in the wrongrestaurant and queried it with the waiter, but he said the dining room and the Bistro were the same and had the same menu. I said that it wasn't the one I'd checked out online, and he apologised and said they hadn't updated it. As we had someone disabled with us, and it was getting late and I had no idea if there would be a table free at another restaurant nearby, we had to pay out the extra money for a menu we didn't want. The food was very nice, actually, when they got it right - I said I could not eat green garnish or leaves, but the food was served with them. I was beginning to despair by then. It was a joint 80th birthday celebration for our guests, but it turned out to be a rather fraught evening. I see that they have now updated their menu.
VikkiH
We had a lovely evening in the bistro starting with cocktails that were easily the best we had. Then a relaxing meal in the restaurant - we all had different meals and were lovely - I had duck which was fantastic. Food was excellent and service was too, highly recommend
Simon
Lovely place for dinner , we ate in the Fig and had a lovely table in the window , service was attentive without being too much , Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the food and would happily eat there again when in the area
Whilst the afternoon tea was nice I do think £34.00 per person was a lot for what it was. Its also a bit of a hidden cost as the menu just states £34.00 but when you get there you find out this is in fact £34.00 per person. There was only 2 of us so seems ridiculous you pay double for the same amount 1 person would get and whilst the selection was nice and enough for both of us, we did feel overpriced.
Lydia S
This was our first time in the Cotswolds, and we are so happy we chose this place for dinner on our first night in Chipping Campden. The food was excellent, as was the service. After a couple of nights in London we also appreciated the prices. A great value for a wonderful meal.
EmmaH
Lovely location but the service was shockingly poor in the Bistro. Ended up with only one gentleman on service, no eye contact, had to take our own plates back to the bar, no table service and had to ask for the bill 3 times when our order was also wrong. Real shame
PaoloD
It was our wedding anniversary. And I think we made the right decision. The building and the setting was amazing. The food was excellent and a fantastic service from all the staff. Thank you for the experience and a great evening. Mr De Stefano
Rich Fox
Don't believe the hype on the doors. Mediocre cocktails, slow service and very spartan main room. Very disappointing New Orleans mule
Abysmally slow service, provided by waiters that always seemed to be chatting, despite there being other tables waiting to be served. I've been a gourmet diner all my life and I can hardly remember such chaotic service. There was clearly no line of communication amongst the staff, as result two of our orders were wrong and the group had to leave hot food, grow cold waiting for the corrections on the previous two orders. That is despite the long wait for our drinks and food. General impression is there isn't real leadership or orientation for the young staff, that despite being polite were a bit lost and all over the place. Saw someone with spiky hair and suit, at one moment that looked like he could be a manager, but he ducked and scurried away as quickly as he appeared. Food on a whole was 'ok', this was a real let down. The food used to be really good, we dined there previously in the spring and summer and had really good experiences. It just seems unnecessarily over priced now.
What a shame. The food was excellent when it arrived... 1 hr 15 after we sat down. Drinks were slow as well, and generally the staff were chaotic. And that was with only two other tables occupied. Could be great if they got their act together.
Food was superb Service was perfect, attentive but not intrusive. Great ambiance. Highly recommend.
Brilliant food, phenomenal staff. Johan, our waiter for the evening was possibly the nicest person I've ever met, couldn't do enough for us, the most caring of people and really made our evening a delight. We've eaten here twice, they've changed the recipe for the twice baked souffle and to be honest this version wasn't as nice, still good but the first one (with cheese sauce) was unbelievable! The staff are brilliant and so attentive, they brought us some truffles to celebrate our anniversary and the general ambience of the Bistro is first class. It's always a joy to eat here and every time we stay in Chipping Campden we make a point of eating at the Bistro!
Those serving in the bar were brilliant, polite, quick and nothing was too much trouble - by contrast those serving when we went through to the bistro seemed a bit lost and service was extremely slow. It took about half an hour for our order to be taken and then another half an hour before anything arrived. Once it did arrive, the food was beautifully presented and very tasty although very limited for vegetarians. We didn't stay for dessert or coffee because it was too late...we booked for 7.30pm, went to our table at 8.15pm and left the restaurant at 11.00pm! Nearly 3 hours for 2 courses.
I checked out the online menu before booking and was very impressed; always a deal breaker. On the night, we were not seated in the Bistro, but in the hotel dining room, and the menu was completely different and more expensive - too pretentious for our liking. I thought we were in the wrong restaurant and queried it with the waiter, but he said that the dining room and the Bistro were the same and had the same menu. I said that it wasn't the one I'd checked out online, and he apologised and said they hadn't updated it. As we had someone disabled with us, and it was getting late and I had no idea if there would be a table free at another restaurant nearby, we had to pay out the extra money for a menu we didn't want. The food was very nice, actually, when they got it right - I said I could not eat green garnish or leaves, but the food was served with them. I was beginning to despair by then. It was a joint 80th birthday celebration for our guests, but it turned out to be a rather fraught evening. I see that they have now updated their menu.
We had a lovely meal and the service was great. Johan really looked after us. The lamb and the pork were both excellent.
I checked out the online menu before booking and was very impressed. We were not seated in the Bistro, but in the hotel dining room, and the menu was completely different and more expensive - too pretentious for our liking. I thought we were in the wrongrestaurant and queried it with the waiter, but he said the dining room and the Bistro were the same and had the same menu. I said that it wasn't the one I'd checked out online, and he apologised and said they hadn't updated it. As we had someone disabled with us, and it was getting late and I had no idea if there would be a table free at another restaurant nearby, we had to pay out the extra money for a menu we didn't want. The food was very nice, actually, when they got it right - I said I could not eat green garnish or leaves, but the food was served with them. I was beginning to despair by then. It was a joint 80th birthday celebration for our guests, but it turned out to be a rather fraught evening. I see that they have now updated their menu.
We had a lovely evening in the bistro starting with cocktails that were easily the best we had. Then a relaxing meal in the restaurant - we all had different meals and were lovely - I had duck which was fantastic. Food was excellent and service was too, highly recommend
Lovely place for dinner , we ate in the Fig and had a lovely table in the window , service was attentive without being too much , Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the food and would happily eat there again when in the area
Restaurantji Recommends
Whilst the afternoon tea was nice I do think £34.00 per person was a lot for what it was. Its also a bit of a hidden cost as the menu just states £34.00 but when you get there you find out this is in fact £34.00 per person. There was only 2 of us so seems ridiculous you pay double for the same amount 1 person would get and whilst the selection was nice and enough for both of us, we did feel overpriced.
This was our first time in the Cotswolds, and we are so happy we chose this place for dinner on our first night in Chipping Campden. The food was excellent, as was the service. After a couple of nights in London we also appreciated the prices. A great value for a wonderful meal.
Lovely location but the service was shockingly poor in the Bistro. Ended up with only one gentleman on service, no eye contact, had to take our own plates back to the bar, no table service and had to ask for the bill 3 times when our order was also wrong. Real shame
It was our wedding anniversary. And I think we made the right decision. The building and the setting was amazing. The food was excellent and a fantastic service from all the staff. Thank you for the experience and a great evening. Mr De Stefano
Don't believe the hype on the doors. Mediocre cocktails, slow service and very spartan main room. Very disappointing New Orleans mule