Blue Ball Inn Reviews Summary

Atmosphere and Decor

Pros:

• "The place is lovely. Very rustic and charming."
• "The open fires created a really homely feeling throughout the dining and drinking areas."
• "The pub was lovely inside with beams and an open fire in a countryside location."
• "The interior of the restaurant side is open, spacious, well lit and well decorated with various paintings and brasses to break up the old style timber creating a warm and welcoming feeling."
• "Lovely atmosphere and child friendly without being whilst retaining 'olde worlde' pub feel."
• "The pub is on the edge of the village with beautiful views in most directions and a beautiful old thatch roof building to host in such a lovely venue."
• "The Bar area and Restaurant were very clean and very nicely decorated, fresh and contemporary but still welcoming."

Cons:

• "If you are going to have a separate family area it should be warm and welcoming."
• "Don't like the way families with children are relegated to a small cold area."
• "Arrived as a couple, we were seated in the front bar, very cramped and tables too close together."
• "Only table available was outside for a drink, even though many tables were empty, no option for food as they were short staffed."
• "First and last visit to the Blue Ball Inn. Made a dinner reservation for the family on Saturday evening and were seated on a tiny, uncomfortable table."
• "Dog mess in garden area, benches obviously had not been cleaned off for a little while."
• "the shower / wet room was dirty the shower curtains had mould on them."

Service

Pros:

• "Staff were lovely, service was good."
• "Extremely kind genuine service from the staff and management!"
• "Great staff all very friendly and helpful."
• "Helpful and pleasant staff."
• "Staff were attentive and actually knew what to do."
• "Service was top class."
• "Staff are incredibly friendly and really couldn't have been more helpful."

Cons:

• "Staff didn't seem to care."
• "The service here was the poorest and least friendly we have experienced, the staff disinterested and unhelpful."
• "No management on site and poor staff running around like headless chickens."
• "We were told there would be a 20 minute delay for ordering food, but we were forgotten about for more than 45 minutes."
• "We were disappointed with the service today, the drinks were plonked on the table for us to sort out."
• "The service was lacking and unattentive."
• "Service was good to begin with but declined throughout out the meal."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The meals were great - the best braising steak I've had in a long time."
• "The food was high quality, great flavour. Well cooked."
• "The meat literally melted in your mouth."
• "The food was well prepared and delicious."
• "Not the cheapest, but has really good quality steak, burgers & daily fresh fish dishes."
• "Delicious Sunday roast. Had the belly pork and it was superb."
• "Lamb shank was amazing and burger was very tasty."

Cons:

• "The portion size was small, comparable with a high end restaurant where you get small bites, but just not the quality."
• "Rude arrogant barmaid overpriced food Inc a steak that could have soled my shoes."
• "Very little gravy so needed more. Vegetables watery undercooked and tasteless."
• "The chicken, if you could call it that, as it appeared to be deep fried, breaded mush, lacked any resemblance or taste of chicken."
• "The food was below standard."
• "the brisket was a little dry, a piece of corn on the cob, which wasn't warm."
• "The food itself was adequately edible but does not inspire to a return visit."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "The prices were excellent given the current state of the economy."
• "Good value, most mains from £10-£15."
• "Our bill was less than £40 including our drinks( half of cider and pint of ale) and service tip...this limited by the company's policy to 10%."
• "The Sunday Carvery is always good value, the meat is excellent with plenty of vegetables to choose from."
• "I have been to the blue ball a few times and always thought the prices good."

Cons:

• "I realised I had been charged about £4.00 just for a little bit of cheese."
• "having to pay over 11 pounds each for such a poor meal, also the dessert was over priced for what it was."
• "Not sure why we weren't told we had to book when we first arrived or why we were provided with a menu."
• "No need to charge London prices shan't be going back."
• "Very expensive and average at best. Not worth the journey."