Torfaen
The Open Hearth

The Open Hearth

Sebastopol, NP4 5DR, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Pub • Steak • Brunch • British


"My husband booked the Open Hearth so we could go out as a family for my birthday. It had been a lovely sunny day so we did anticipate that the place would be busy. However, as we had booked the table they knew we were coming so we assumed that that would be sufficient with regards to the service etc. On arrival, we were greeted and shown to our table. The gentleman then proceeded to fire off a load of things on the menu that we couldn 't have as they had run out of ingredients. We put that to one side and ordered our food. We waited a little while for our food but as the bar area was so busy we just put it down to that. In the end, it was the kitchen staff who ended up bringing our food out. The food was ok, just basic 'pub grub '. My husband 's steak was supposed to be cooked medium but it ended up coming out well done. The staff were so busy, there was no one really to approach about this and he didn 't want everyone else 's food to go cold so he ate it. After finishing our food one of the girls from behind the bar cleared our plates away and asked if we wanted dessert. We said yes and waited for her to bring the menu. It never arrived. Eventually the same girl came back and asked again if we wanted desserts and again we said yes. We were given the menu and waited to order. Again, no sign of anyone so I went looking for someone to order our desserts. I noticed on the specials board that they were doing a dessert with strawberry ice cream so I asked if I could just have a dish of strawberry ice cream for my little boy. They checked with the kitchen and apparently we couldn 't have that, we could only have whippy ice cream! Desserts finally ordered and we waited. My husband and son had their desserts brought to them and we waited for my dessert. We waited and waited and waited..........After my husband and son had finished their dessert we were then informed by the gentleman behind the bar that they couldn 't bring my dessert as they were serving food to other tables! I was shocked. Surely, you should finish serving one table before proceeding to the next. By the time my dessert arrived we were just ready to go home. I explained that I didn 't want my dessert as it had arrived too late. The girl who brought it did apologise but it was too late. I sent it back and asked for the bill. There wasn 't ever an offer off taking any money off the dessert as it had arrived so late. They were obviously happy just to scrape it in the bin rather than try to make amends. We paid the bill and left. I have noticed on a previous review that someone has said the same thing about the service and the response from the Open Hearth was that they prioritise their booked tables over their walk ins. However, that certainly was not the case for us. We booked the table over a week before we turned up and we arrived in good time yet they prioritised other food over completing our order. Surely it is basic practise to complete one order before proceeding to the next. Unfortunately, the whole experience was not enjoyable and we all came away very disappointed. We will note be returning again nor will we be recommending it."

Greenhouse

Greenhouse

Newport Road, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Cafés • Kebab • Pizza • Seafood


"Over the past 18 months Covid has had a massive impact on businesses so we as a family try to support locals as much as possible. Our experience here was terrible and the customer service from management was appalling. Once sat at our table we ordered food and drinks from the waitress who was lovely.The pub wasn’t particularly busy and once your order was take for food staff didn’t really come back to see if we wanted more drinks or if everything was ok with food. We only had 1 drink each because nobody came to take our order for a second round so it’s pointless going for the refill option. Myself and my daughter had soda water and blackcurrant, both the same size glass but 2 different prices on the bill. Meal portions are small for your typical pub grub. Desert arrived with the smallest amount of custard (3 tablespoons in a little pot next to the apple pie) when asked for more an extra pot was added to the bill and I don’t mind paying if there was a good amount to start off with. Be sure to check your bill because £4 for 2 children’s plastic beakers of squash is terrible when I only paid £1.45 for half a pint of soda water and blackcurrant. When we queried the bill the young lady checked with management (who refused to adjust the £4 squash charge) and instead of coming over to address the situation the manager just hid behind a counting watching from a farThe last time my sister went to this restaurant she also had to query the bill. If your like us and want to support local, your better off going to the Three blackbirds down the road for better service and friendly staff. Really disappointing overall and won’t be going back to this restaurant."

Jade Garden

Jade Garden

47 Llandowlais Street, NP44 7HE, Torfaen, United Kingdom

Cafés • Kebab • Chinese • Fast Food


"Been going to the Jade Garden for a long time and although it has gone through some changes in recent years, they still deliver good quality food. I was surprised at the poor reviews left on here but as they say, people are much more willing to leave negative reviews than positive ones. I can't remember the last time I had bad food from here so it's only fair to say that. For anyone who doesn't realise what this place is, it's a sort of cross between a chippy and a Chinese. That means you can get a pie and chips (and the chips are probably the best chip-shop style chips in Cwmbran) or you can have crispy duck and chow mein and things like that. The portions are generous and well packaged. They open through the day too and offer lunchtime specials which are like smaller versions of the mains but at a cut price. They never used to offer a delivery service but now they have a couple of delivery drivers. Generally speaking, the food is well cooked, the staff are friendly and polite, they confirm your order back to you when you place it, and then confirm the contents of the bag when they're packing it up in front of you. In the years I've been going here I've honestly known one or two mistakes been made with an order, and when you bring it to the staff's attention, they're quick to rectify it. We had an evening meal from here last night which I phoned through just before 6pm and it was ready 15 minutes later. Got it home, dished up and was 100% satisfied with the food. Perfect on a miserable rainy Monday night. The only criticism I have, and why I can't give a 5 out of 5, is the prices. Like many other places they've ramped their prices up since covid times and it's getting silly. Still, it's decent food at ok prices with good service from the team."