"The Whipper Inn is a classic example that demonstrates that you can’t judge a book by its cover. From the outside, it’s a beautiful sandstone building in a very lovely Rutland town, lots of passing Hunter wellied locals and Oakham visitors and enough ‘good life’...appeal to make a lunchtime visit more than just a well heeled fuel stop. So why haven’t the management recognised exactly what a gem they have and tapped into their unique selling point a quintessential, honey stoned English coaching inn, rich in Rutland country culture ? This hostelry is very confused about who and what it is to the point of having multiple personality disorder. Reception dark oak, white emulsion and I feel the need to write artificial flowers, bar/ restaurant birch wonky tables and Iaminate floors? All very odd. This level of confusion applied to the staff and level of service too. Walking into reception, as the door to the bar from the market place was locked, we were greeted with surprise by the receptionist when we said we’d booked a table for lunch. We were the only diners at that time. The receptionist then became our waiter ... eventually. Again, stressed and confused. The menu was very limited and basic ... we hoped this was a sign of something special (kept simple so the chef could focus on a thoughtful menu,quality local ingredients and exquisite presentation a fine dining experience perhaps ? the lunchtime menu prices would lead you to this conclusion) but how wrong we were. ‘ gin battered fish and chips’ ?? ‘Lemon tart’ both tasted like ‘mums been to Iceland’ .... complete with ice crystals and a soggy bottom on the tart !!! Service was appalling various requests were ignored, forgotten or just not heard. We ate quickly, paid begrudgingly and left without anyone even acknowledging that we were even there. A sad disappointment in every way. Such a shame ."
