Bacon Brie
The Yewdale Inn

The Yewdale Inn

➤ Yewdale Road, South Lakeland, United Kingdom, LA21 8DU

Pizza • Cafés • Asiatic • Seafood


"Knowing we’d be in Coniston on New Year’s Day (2 adults and 2 children) I booked online at the Yewdale in early Dec to make sure we secured a table, anticipating it might be busy. On arrival we were met by a pleasant waiter who showed us to our reserved table in the mostly empty pub. We were slightly disappointed, having booked a table, to be in the bar area next to a big group of young men who were swearing quite a bit and acting generally laddish. Some of the talk was not something I wanted my daughter who is 7, to hear. Thankfully she was entertained by the colouring menu sheet that was kindly supplied. To be honest I thought we be put in the restaurant bit given we’d booked in advance (the bar reserved for walk ins) but it appeared closed until we were leaving about 6.30pm. Anyway we got on with it as we do as we’re not fussy and there was another family with children there too. Our second disappointment was the big sign saying ‘sorry no pizza today’. Pizza was an option for us and something we were looking forward to having visited in the summer, so this was disappointing. I’d have thought if they weren’t offering pizza they should have told us in advance through the booking system or indicated online. This reduced the menu by 50%. We ordered from the main menu and children’s menu. The children’s fish and chips was excellent and I can’t complain, it was one of the best fish I’ve seen in a child’s menu. The adults lasagne was clearly homemade and tasted ok. Better than it looked . But at 15 I’d have expected it to come with chips not just a bit of garlic bread. Or chips should have been an add on for a couple of given the size of it but they were 4.50 on top. All a bit pricey for what it was and the portion size. The biggest disappointment was the fish pie. I was looking forward to haddock, smoked haddock, salmon and prawns as indicated on the menu. Instead I basically got a bit of haddock (well white fish), a load of spinach, and some cheese mash. No sign of the prawns, smoked salmon or haddock. The buttered greens it came with were leek and green beans and filled half the plate! We didn’t stop for dessert and opted for a chocolate bar at the petrol station instead given how disappointed we were with the mains. Beer selection was good and no issues there and staff were pleasant and attentive. We will probably visit again for pizza but the pub food overall was a let down."

The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak

➤ 36 Lower Road, CT17 0QU, Dover, United Kingdom

Pub • Fish • British • Breakfast


"This was a unique stay. I reserved and paid for the room through a well-known on-line booking firm, received check-in and check-out instructions via e-mail from the B&B, so I never met or even saw a person regarding our stay. Entry to the building and room was gained using a keypad with code which was in the e-mailed instructions which also had a phone number to call if there were issues. Fortunately, we had none. The room was clean and comfortable, though sparsely decorated and very small. The bathroom was tight. I'm 5'10 , 160 lbs,, not generally affected by close spaces, but felt confined. The shower was modern with plenty of hot water and good water pressure, but don't drop the soap. Our room was right over the entrance to the pub, and there was a lot of loud talking until about 2300 hours on Saturday night. Sunday night was very different, but the pub closes at 2200 on Sundays. Breakfasts were served in the pub and were quite good. Pretty standard fare, coffee/tea, juice, toast, full English breakfast available, and the service was very friendly and fast. There are a few spaces for parking, and we managed to get one the second night, but had to park on the street the first night. Overall, we had a good stay for what we paid, but I left wondering if there were other options close by. The pub downstairs was convenient, and I will cover this is in a separate review."

Fleur De Lys

Fleur De Lys

➤ Lapworth Street, Warwick, United Kingdom

Pub • Steak • Vegan • British


"we came and sat fast and ordered drinks immediately, which almost immediately arrived so well we ordered starter and net. whitebait and a mini-toad in the hole to begin and two children roast beef, extra yorkshire to go with the pig. a torte that we asked with new kartoffels instead of chips and an adult porn that I asked for bark and pigs and said I would like to pay extra for if necessary. then it went downhill. minutes after ordering our food, and after the appetizers were deleted, a waitress came to us and said: "I'm sorry we don't have bark" we were happy with it. not because they had run out, but because of the time she needed to recognize. they apologized. we said okay and waited. we waited a few more minutes for the most important courses. we have all starved and a little frustrated. the net arrived. chips on the plate not new kartoffels! the frying of the child, now both pigs were half fat and half a carrilled pork steak. not the roasted pork on the menu. no Yorkshire pudding in itself and the veg. bland boiled carrots, boiled black gray cabbage and what I can only describe as baby food flower casse. it was mush! my children said to me. “Daddy, that’s not great,” I couldn’t even contradict them. I couldn't stop mine because it was so bad and I never let it eat! the cake was good, but the veg was cooked again and darkened and the wrong potato peel. Once finished, no one seemed to come and clear plates, acknowledge us or treat us at all. I went into the bar and asked me to talk to a manager. I explained everything, she apologized and gave me the bill. roasts were taken off, but nothing else. I didn't think that was good enough, but it was late and wanted to go home. for appetizers, drinks inedible meals. very upset to say the"