Angel Inn, The

FH (29 April 2007)

Disappointing. Stayed here several times in the past for the restaurant's atmosphere and great food. Things have taken a nose dive. We started in the now tiny bar area for an aperitif and were surprised to find the Kir being served in a red wine glass. We moved on to the restaurant which has a lovely mix of furniture but the old cream carpet was filthy.

Our £20 bottle of red was already open on the table and had not been presented to us. The great wine list of the past has gone and is now dull and limited. We shared an antipasti misto. Thick cuts of salami and chorizo were put at the edge of the table and we had to ask for additional plates which were also plonked on the edge of the table for us to serve ourselves.

Ever hopeful we thought our mains would be better. Sadly the lamb shank had not been cooked long enough and was tough, sinewy, and under seasoned. It was in a red wine gravy apparently but there can't have been more than a tablespoon of wine in the gravy. All this sat on some slimy leek mash that was a shade of grey. The broccoli and carrots were cooked to perfection! The cheese was acceptable but was served with a selection of cheeses biscuits that smacked of the 1970s.

I think the chef was having a lie in the following morning, perhaps he was off colour the night before? The manager cooked our breakfast in between smoking a fag over his mug of coffee. We were served a poached egg on triangles of processed white toast.

The accommodation also needs an overhaul which is long overdue. Unless they get their act together, don't bother, 4/10.