FoodPassions.co.uk

Venue: Inn on the Lake, Ockford Road, Godalming, GU7 1RH
Score: 6/10
Food: Casual dining
Group: 4 adults
Date: 8th November 2008 PM

This is an establishment that is so close to being great but fails on consistency. It tries to cram too many tables into the restaurant and the lounge area often has the apperance of a crèche with mothers and babies doing what they always do!

We have eaten there on at least 6 occassions in the last 6 months and each time they get something wrong and then the following time its put right – very annoying. The only thing that we feel is consistent is the food – well done Chef.

The waiting staff are dressed in a casual unifrom which suits the modern lounge style environment. We used to see a quite burly smiling duty manager that managed the staff – I am think he was from the southern hemisphere, but not seen him recently. Anyway he was great, pleasant efficient and very aware of what was happening in the restaurant and lounge areas. Recently we have not seen or recognised anyone taking over, as a result you see huddles of chit chatty staff that seem to wonder about.

My biggest criticism is that if you book to go on a Saturday evening or Sunday lunch then the cramming of tables into the restaurant is all too obvious. We booked a table for four on a Saturday evening and on arrival we found it to be packed with customers. Sounds good but as is so often the case the cracks in the system are all too apparent. Before making anyone aware that we had arrived for dinner we stood by the bar watching what was going on, it was not pretty. There were guests getting up from their tables looking for a waiter whilst others took matters into their own hands by going straight to the bar to order more drinks.  There was clearly not enough staff and no one was managing the restaurant. Having seen enough I went to the reservations table at the entrance of the restaurant and told a waitress that we had arrived but we will not be staying for dinner. “Ok, what’s your name?”. She found me in the book then rubbed me out and was just about to walk off. I asked her if she wanted to know why we were not staying to which she felt obliged to listen to me. I told her in a very pleasant way that I had been watching proceedings and the restaurant was in chaos and we did not want to put our party through this trauma. “OK” she said and that was that. She could not have cared less. I would like to point out that whilst we were watching I did see that the food was still coming out of the kitchen very well prepared and looked great. So again well done Chef.

Improvement Opportunities:

1. Please fix the leak in the gents toilets – 3 visits and leak not fixed
2. Get a duty manager that manages the staff and is not an extra waiter
3. Reduce the number of tables in the restaurant and if thats a problem then increase your prices
4. Fix the annoying rocking tables that dont sit properly on the floor
5. Manage the crèche that is growing and making the lounge area look a mess with dropped food and toys
6. Get someone to manage the loos as when things get busy they betray such events
7. If tables are not to be reduced in the restaurant then more staff are needed
8. The doors to the toilets need a good scrub
9. Check the menus before they are given to the customer as our was dirty and tatty.

Conclusion

Would we go back? Probably, but timing is essential as the system shows signs of failure when things get busy.

If you have been to the Inn on the Lake please let us know what you think

Venue: Take It To The Table, 127 High Street, Cranleigh, GU6 8AU
Score: 6/10
Food: Coffee and Cakes
Group: 4 adults
Date: 23rd November 2008 AM

Always good to go into a coffee shop that provides something that is individual. Its clear that the owner is trying. The coffee is great although if you order a croisant or the like which needs to be warmed your food goes on some trip up and down stairs to the dreaded microwave. The service is friendly although lacks any distinction as we had a young waitress who was pleasant enough but would not stand out from any of the customers.

A nice touch is the availability of a chess game which is good to see others play.

Improvement Opportunities:

1. Why not provide a small jug of water when guests first sit down – like you get all over Europe
2. Do away with the microwave to reheat food
3. Provide the waiting staff with uniforms even if its a simple apron.

Conclusion

A relaxed place to have morning coffee and to date the nearest thing Cranleigh has to offer for a European Cafe experience. Lets hope that it maintains some consistency.

If you have been to Take It to the Table then please let us know what you think

Venue:  Angel Hotel, Guildford, Surrey
Score:   7/10
Food:    Afternoon Tea
Group:  5 adults
Date:     21st November 2008 PM
Spend:   £34.50

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday we had the terrible disappointment of sitting in Harrods having afternoon tea, and today having made the same order at the Angel Hotel in Guildford, we were very pleased with our experience.

We ordered 2 cream teas, 2 prawn sandwich teas, 1 lamb sandwich, 3 pots of Earl Grey and a pot of coffee.

Service was professional with waiters and waitresses dressed accordingly. The environment is relaxed with low sofas and tables set in a very comfortable panelled lounge area. It is warm quiet and friendly.

Improvement Opportunities:

1. The toilets have one towel to dry your hands on – totally inappropriate
2. There are two fires which are gas coal effect and neither was lit, despite it being the time of year when this should happen
3. The bread for the sandwiches was the cheap sliced variety, although fresh and pleasant.
4. Because we have eaten there before, we know that it is not consistent. You can get something one time and not the other.

Conclusion

We would definitely go back to the Angel Hotel as it offers a warm refuge that is reasonably priced in the centre of Guildford. The service is professional and courteous and the place is clean.

If you have been to the Angel Hotel then please let us know what you think.

Venue:  Georgian Restaurant, 3rd Floor Harrods, Knightsbridge, London 
Score:   3/10
Food:    Afternoon Tea
Group:  5 adults
Date:     20th November 2008 PM

Probably one of the UK’s flagship establishments offered very little in the way of exceeding the customers expectations. We were a party of 5 all meeting up for a special occassion wanting to get into the Xmas spirit experiencing what should be one of the UK’s finest establishments. We arrived about 14:30 and on Thursday 20th November 2008 and only wanted an afternoon cream tea. In essence we were very disappointed.

Improvement Opportunities:

1. China plates were worn and showing clear signs of dishwasher fatigue
2. The jam for the scones although in a Harrods labelled jar was clearly mass produced much like the sort of thing you would get at some cheap seaside resort
3. The scones were cold which gave the impression they were not fresh
4. The furniture was tatty at best and extremely dated
5. The tea was served in a stainless steel pot with no extra hot water to dilute or add as required
6. Butter was served in little mass produced tubs that were presented with their lids taken off
7. There was only one tiny pot of jam for two scones
8. Main food hall was dated and felt cold lacking intimacy and character.

Conclusion

Would not recommend going there which is a great shame as Harrods has such amazing international appeal.

If you have been to Georgian Restaurant then please let us know what you think