Reviews in Newport

Went for Sunday lunch at short notice so was very glad to get a table. I had the Sunday lunch which was great, my only criticism was that i would of preferred a little more green veg to go with the roasted parsnip and carrots and cauliflower cheese. However my wife was attracted to the pea, broad bean and asparagus risotto. This was to risotto that the loaf in the film “about a boy” is to bread. ( it killed the duck!) it was a tasteless glutinous cow pat that had no resemblance to a risotto. I know they are difficult to cook , so if that’s as good as it gets, take it off the menu and stick to things that the chef can do well ( like the Sunday lunch band other meals we have had there.) The staff removed ot off the bill which was great however but I would have preferred to pay and have a good meal for both of us.

Oh boy, where do I begin. This place is terribly understaffed which is so unfortunate as the food was really good. After booking a table and arriving at that time we were asked to wait by the door so they could get the table ready. About 10 mins later we were seated. Then a waitress never came back to us to take drinks or food orders, after about another 20 mins we had to go and find someone to take our order. The pub was filled with very loud people too which made the atmosphere not so nice. The table next to us actually moved to the front area as they couldn’t cope with the noise being caused by others. I know this isn’t something that could be helped but added to our negative experience. We then made our order and unfortunately the pigs in blankets were out of stock which was a shame as they are really nice. We all ordered and then our drinks took forever to be brought to us. Again we had to catch a waitress to ask for them. Then the drinks came and were lovely, we then did the long wait for the food. Once the food arrived someone ordered the pork which stated it came with crackling which it did not. After we had to yet again flag down a waitress to ask for sauces and this wasn’t asked to us when the food was brought to our table. We finished the meal and to be honest the food was really lovely. After the food was brought through no waitress even came near us for over an hour. We then had to go and ask at the bar for our bill. It’s a real shame as the food is lovely but it really needs the service to be sorted out for me to ever go back again or recommend to anyone else.

Me and my partner went here for a celebratory meal as we just got engaged. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and felt well looked after. We understand their were some issues with the ticket machine in the kitchen causing some order delays, however we were informed of this and this wasn't an issue as we could enjoy the evening. The only reason for the 3 out of 5 for the atmosphere, was the table of 5 wild Karen's sat behind us, who didn't realise that the earth revolves around the sun and not them. They also were having the same issues as everyone due to the ticket machine problem, however the staff dealt with this incredibly, and have far more patience than I would have had with this situation. Would definitely recommend, just check the place out for Karen's before sitting down.

We have been regular visitors to the Last over many years and it has always been inconsistent. Typically it’s good for a while, and then standards slip and we give it a miss until we hear things have improved. We are tempted back mainly because it is within walking distance for us. Six months ago, we were telling everyone how good the food was, especially the Sunday roast. Unfortunately, since then it has deteriorated to the point where we won’t be going again. Last Sunday we both had the beef and it was tough. Half the vegetables were warm, the other half were almost cold. I had had a similar experience earlier in the week when mine and my friend's vegetable kebabs were delivered almost cold, without the garlic mayonnaise, and with ordinary fries instead of the sweet potato fries as described on the menu. Our enjoyment of our Sunday roast was not just marred by the food. Half way through our meal live music struck up. This is not something I would expect on a Sunday lunchtime. Inevitably noise levels rose as people had to talk louder to communicate. And then there were the dogs….We heard one barking in the large dining room at the back. We saw one sitting on the seating. And another huge dog was led passed us brushing against my husband twice. I thought dogs were only allowed in the bar area but this has obviously changed. They should not be allowed in a restaurant and definitely not sitting where the next diner could be sitting. All in all an experience not to be repeated.

We went for my birthday meal on a Tuesday evening. We weren’t aware of the quiz but we’re sat at a table far enough away for it not to be an issue. The fryer wasn’t working so our choices had to be changed to accommodate this. My steak was very nice but the portions were small. The other 5 members of the party said the food was ok but not great- small portions & not very hot. We were not offered any sort of discount although the waitress had been apologetic at the reduced menu. Don’t think we will visit again in a hurry.

We went on a Tuesday early evening, pre-quiz. Lovely welcome, friendly staff. My son had a starter of the chicken wings and the garlic flat bread. The wings were thoroughly enjoyed but the flat bread was tiny, and cold. It came with what was named beetroot houmous - it tasted of beetroot at first bite then absolutely nothing, so quite unpleasant. Unfortunately they had no regular houmous to replace it with. We mentioned it in passing and it was nice to see at the end that it had been removed from the bill. For mains, my son had the burger and onion rings; the onion rings were stone cold and were replaced. (Made me wonder how long a deep-fried anything had to sit around for to get cold, not a brilliant thought). The replacements were bloody nice, very well done. He enjoyed the burger and fries, but he was left looking hungry so portions could’ve been slightly larger by the looks of it. I had the filet mignion as a treat. As a steak it was absolutely fine; a fillet it was not. There’s a world of difference between a fillet and the steaks ‘below’ it; the grain is so compacted it’s almost not visible. You could have driven a bus through these and connective tissue isn’t present in a fillet - it was a nice piece of rump at best. Didn’t say anything - that feeling when you’ve already had to mention things and you’re starting to feel like you’re casting a damper on the evening..? Our friends’ meals were nice enough - I think - they didn’t remark either way; they had the share board - so the same houmous and had to leave it. Portion sizes were small. I felt there was a distinct disinclination to give. The sauces brought out on request were scrapings of condiments in tiny little paper pots, which really surprised me as they completely clashed with the presentation they seemed intent on pursuing with the slates and skillets. I haven’t been in to a McDonald’s for a very long time, but it was the exact same paper pots we’d get the kids’ ketchup in. The one thing which got to me was the ‘in your face’ very loud electronic door bell noise - presumably alerting waiting staff to pick up every time an order was ready to go. Now that was nasty. In a massively busy, noisy environment I can imagine this going somewhat unnoticed - this wasn’t that. Would we go back? Only if friend of ours wanted to and there was a quiz on; we’d go with the flow. Staff were lovely.