Brackenrigg Inn

Sue Thrush (21 July 2007)

We came here for an evening meal on 17 July. We sat by the window in the bar, wonderful view of Ullswater, pleasant bar. However, unfortunately the staff seemed to have a 'couldn't care less' attitude. After waiting for an hour after ordering, with no sign or mention of food, we enquired if it was on the way, to be informed that there was a big crisis in the kitchen (images of Fawlty Towers sprang to mind). Eventually our order arrived. My fish pie was not good. It was shown on the menu as being served with bread and salad. There was no sign of bread, and when we asked, were told they'd run out (We'd arrived early in the evening). No mention of this before. The salad consisted of a few green leaves on the side of the plate, but the hot pie dish had been plonked down on top of some of them. There were stray bits of potato topping smeared about. The potato was sparse and watery. The white fish was OK but the salmon tasted peculiar, I think was somewhat stale. After a couple of mouthfuls I couldn't eat any more, although I had been hungry. My husband said his potatoes tasted as though they'd been hanging around for ages but he did eat his meal. One of our friends had a chicken dish, which she said was very good, and the other had a spicy bean dish, which was OK but a rather small portion. A waiter came along to ask if everything was alright, so we said 'no' and explained what was wrong. The reply was merely an unsurprised 'sorry about that'. When paying the bill, we informed the barman we wouldn't pay for the fish pie and only half the cost of my husband's meal. The bar was also jolly cold as the evening cooled down, the back door was propped wide open; I semi-closed it a couple of times, but it was soon propped open wide again. Such a pity, this could be a really lovely place to visit.

Anderson (2 May 2007)

This could be the best place in the lakes rather than the dullest. I have seen people insulted in the lounge area. The beer is rubbish. The sooner this changes hands the better but, at over a £1,000,000, it could be a long time.

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