Booked in advance for 2 adults and a dog, after reading reviews and we were staying in the village over the weekend. The pub had hosted a wedding in the afternoon which was still in full swing when we arrived for our table just before 7pm. There was a live music act and the atmosphere was buzzing and lovely. However, we were ‘greeted’ at the door by a middle aged lady who gruffly told us that the bar was too busy and that we could be seated in the area where dogs weren’t usually allowed. We thanked her, but she just rudely told us where to sit. Our order for food and drinks were taken with no smile or warmth, despite us trying to be friendly with her. We both ordered the haddock and chips and asked for vinegar, which was slammed down on the table! The food was also disappointing. The chips were hard as if they had been reheated and the batter on the fish was greasy. The mushy peas had a strange pepper/garlic taste and the bread and butter was not fresh -margarine, not butter. We didn’t stay for pudding, quite honestly, we didn’t want to prolong what was an unpleasant experience. A younger waitress took our payment and she was friendly. We had called in for a drink on the Friday evening and the young man at the bar was equally as unwelcoming-we just wish we had listened to our instincts and cancelled our reservation for the Saturday night. I don’t often write reviews but I can’t remember having such a negative experience or meal out for a very long time. We a regular visitors to this beautiful county and have always found people to be welcoming and friendly. Some staff training is definitely required.
The Royal Oak Staveley – Harrogate