The Briar Dene - Menu

"Constructive criticism review for the restaurant.I have been a waitress for 4 years and my partner is a qualified chef so we both know what it’s like working in the restaurant environment. It is very busy and demanding but standards should still be kept at a high. This was the first time we had been out since lockdown so we were excited to finally have a date night. We booked a table for 2 outside- this was done easily via the briar dene’s website and we received confirmation almost immediately. The restaurant followed all guidelines in regards to COVID. The outside area was clean and inviting. When we arrived the waitress told us to take a seat and she would be with us ‘in just a minute to tell us what to do’. We waited 35minutes (we did show up 15min early than our booking time- so we gave 15mins thinking they may not be ready for us yet. Then it took me approximately 20min to flag a waitress down to see how we can order. The waitress once I got her attention was happy to tell me to download an app and put my order through that. The app was easy to use. It’s called ‘Fitzgerald’. I believe this wait could have been avoided if waiting staff were proactive and said as soon as we were shown to our seats to download the app. Such as saying‘Booking name?... yes if you’d just like to take a seat. Due to COVID we are now using an app to put orders through... it’s called Fitzgerald’ It was awkward as we were sitting there for 40 minutes without a drink. If we were an elderly couple who did not have access to apps wonder what would have happened? IN FUTURE PUT THE APP NAME ON CUSTOMERS CONFIRMATION EMAIL THEN THIS WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN TO CUSTOMERS : Reduced menu: I think that they had plenty to offer and it was sensible of them doing a reduced menu. So when we did order: our food came pretty quick within 10minutes, we ordered a brownie as well. The waiter asked us whether we’d like to wait 5 minutes or so until he brings out the dessert. In which we said yeah that’ll be great thanks. 20 seconds later the waitress brings out the brownie, then at last the drinks. Apps which I’ve used for weatherspoons prompts you when ordering a gin which mixer you would like with it. This app didn’t so I ended up with a straight gin- my fault as I assumed it must just be included instead of me having to buy a separate drink as a mixer. In future so this doesn’t happen to others if someone could put something on the app that would be fab. My partner had a fanta. I hoped waitress I would have had common sense of asking her customer who has a straight gin infront of them ‘are you sure you don’t want a mixer with that??’ At first I thought she may have had her hands full when she came to the table and that’s why my mixer wasn’t there but I thought wrong and now didn’t have the energy to catch another waitress/waiters attention. Anyways this is what we had and what we thought about it below : Cod bites and chips- Pros: cod bites were delicious. The tartar sauce tasted homemade. The chips at the top of the basket were gorgeous crisp on the outside fluffy potato in the middle. Portion of cod bites were generous and reflected the price.Cons: the chips at the bottom of the basket which made up about 1/3 of chips were very small and hard- something which was probably best not serving at all. Portion of chips was a bit mean considering most of them weren’t a joy to eat.Advice for restaurant: small side salad, slice of lemon and some peas would have improved this dish. As well as more chips. Presentation could be better Nachos: £4:50Pros: toppings tasted nice- not the best Cons: not sure why they are called nachos when really it was topped fries which weren’t very nice. Kind of just tasted like frozen fries that weren’t crispy. With tortilla crisps at the bottom of the bowl under the fries with no sauce on all piled in a small bowl.Advice to restaurant: keep it simple tortilla chips, plenty cheese, salsa, cheese sauce, guacamole and sour cream. Even if the price needs to be increased at least it will be a good experience for the customer. Basically don’t put fries in on the top of the bowl as it’s really just topped fries XD I like the idea but it’s not working for me sorry. By changing the presentation it will make it look more appetising as well. I did think at first it might have been because you’d had tan out of tortilla crispsOnion rings:Best onion rings I’ve ever tasted- the batter was delicious!!No cons at all they were perfect. Brownie: £5.95Pros: non reallyCons, cost, brownie was cold- checked as soon as it came out so hadn’t cooled down due to the weather. The ice cream was obviously just cheap- which is fine but for a £6 brownie I would expect better. The brownie it’s self wasn’t nice- didn’t really taste like a naughty tasty desert. It tasted plain and the presentation was boring. Advice for restaurant: new brownie recipe if you’re going to sell for £5.95 make it be worth it for the customer. A dessert is a special treat- again presentation!! Making it warm as well. I don’t care if it’s microwaved for a minute as long as it nice and warm When you think of a brownie you think of warm and sticky gooey brownie with a lovely chocolate flavour that makes you want to go in for another bite. The restaurant is beautifully located and has lovely outdoor sitting. The waiting staff are friendly but need to be a bit more proactive.It is outside near the coast so it will be nippy. Me and my partner were prepared and brought a blanket each and a hot water bottle. (There isn’t any outdoor heating either so definitely wrap up warm Would I go back? Not for a meal but for drinks with a side of onion rings I possibly would. 2 stars have been given as it wasn’t the worst but it wasn’t great it just has lots of room for improvement. I really do hope to hear that they have changed things for the better as the pub has so much potential. One more thing to advise would be when you make these changes and get better reviews increase your activity on social media. Possibly offer cocktails as well. Hope this review isn’t taken the wrong way it was just our honest experience yesterday. I know things can be tough with COVID- but let’s make the best out of a bad situation"