Mary Arden Inn, The

Eric Beston (27 April 2009)

Its location makes the inn an obvious place for lunch after a visit to the fascinating adjacent Shakespeare site. The reviews I'd read were also encouraging. But the reality was so disappointing. I booked Sunday lunch for a reunion of 12 friends a couple of weeks in advance and reconfirmed that morning. In the event it took them about an hour and a half to serve our main courses, not an extensive menu and most of us had the traditional Sunday lunch, and another half hour for the puddings - ordered earlier on the advice of our charming waiter. Even then, they did not have enough of one of the puddings for all who had ordered - and those who did get their choice received notably small portions. No explanations or regrets from management. The waiter was left to cope - good lad. We noticed a leaflet saying that the inn is under new management. Unless you have lots of time to spare and nothing better to do, my advice would be go somewhere else until the new people get their act together.

Viv (3 April 2009)

I can't say enough about the food there. The 10oz rib eye was melt in the mouth. My partner had the fish of the day and said it was perfection on a plate! The service was excellent, very attentive staff who couldn't do enough for us. Overall, a lovely place, fantastic food and great staff.