The River Shack - Carte

Rumour

➤ Totnes, 30 High St, TQ9 5RY, United Kingdom

Carte • Pizza • Steak • European • Restaurants

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"The positive is that the food is good. But the negative is the service time and the attitude of the staff. We were seated and had our order taken after 20 minutes. A little slow but it was a busy Saturday evening so understandable. Starters came promptly and were eaten. We then got ignored by every passing member of staff for at least 50 minutes. Quite the skill! Once there was a break in our conversation and I realised how long it had been, I stood up to intercept a waitress and asked “are our mains on the way, please?” Our ticket was checked by her at the kitchen hatch and we were told “yes”. At this point our starter plates were cleared after they had sat on the table for at least 35 minutes. Our mains then took another 25 minutes to get to us, so I suspect that being told they were on their way was a lie. To be clear: we were given our mains 1hr 20 mins after placing our order. I complained to a waitress who sent over a manager. The manager asked if we’d had starters (yes, we had) and said that it was our fault our main was so late as we’d had a first course. How insulting!!! Blaming the customer for their bad service. Disgusting. When I said it was still far too long to wait between courses she then changed tack and said the kitchen was “really really busy” well, they weren’t busy cooking our food now were they?! And despite the place being full when we arrived, by this point of the night over half the tables were empty. There were 3 tickets on the pass along with ours and tables were 2 4 people (no large groups) so I feel that was also another lie to get out of it. What a shocking way to treat customers! My advice to you is: if you want your food served in a timely manner, either take the advice of the manager and don’t order a starter, or, be sure to communicate with waitstaff once your first course is finished and ask for your main to be cooked and served promptly. (Note: food also sat under the heat lamps for long lengths of time as staff stood socialising with one another behind the bar rather than serve customers) I hope this advice is of use as I would have appreciated it ahead of my visit! Good luck. [Reading other reviews, ours is not the only experience of slow service and seeing staff chat to one another rather than deal with the customers paying their wages. Would be interested to receive a reply to this review]"

The Curator Kitchen

➤ 2 The PlainsDevon TQ9 5DR, Totnes, United Kingdom

Carte • Kebab • Cafés • Mexican • European

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"I have eaten here a few years ago , and had been very good . However this July I was taken here as a birthday treat . No idea what's happened , but it was not a good meal . We had the taster meal at £35 a head . The first dish looked like cat food and had no taste at all , the second a pasta dish that was hard and again no taste , then we beef (tough , with a very sharp jus not edible , the pudding , a custard type tart ,,, well the pasty was so hard and the custard was so runny . The service was ok , polite , but slightly forgetful . The wine was very good . I could have cooked a far better meal . It was extremely poor . We were a table of 6 and all of us said later we would not return . Sad as its been good in the past . I travel To Italy often , and eat proper Italian food fantastic taste and half the price of this restaurant ."

Dining At The Sea Trout Inn

➤ Staverton, Totnes, South Hams, United Kingdom, TQ9 6PA

Carte • Pizza • Seafood • European • Fast Food

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"A gem of a find! Really lovely pub with very good consideration for wheelchair users with access requirements the flagstone paths are in keeping with the pub aesthetic but level and easy in terms of access. No threshold through doorways so very easy. Staff were excellent and more attentive with their attention to detail than any restaurant I have been to in years, offering a different sized plate for me after noticing my limitations due to my disability even before serving. And the food was delicious everyone was very happy and all of the meals were well curated with excellent produce. I'll be back, and will recommend to everyone thank you! Service: 5 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Quiet"

Ben's Wine Tapas

➤ 50 High St, Totnes, England, TQ9 5SQ, TQ9 5NN, United Kingdom

Carte • Sushi • Pizza • Kebab • Asiatic

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"We didn't expect the restaurant to be very busy on a weekday lunchtime, and indeed there were only a few customers scattered throughout the different dining areas. We liked looking at the wine selection, but unfortunately, one of us had driven so we couldn't indulge in more than one bottle. We ended up ordering our lunch dishes individually instead of getting everything at once, which may have affected the overall experience. While we generally like this place, the atmosphere and food didn't quite come together for us this time. It was decent and reasonably priced, but nothing special. Perhaps it's just a reflection of the current mood, lacking in positivity. Next time, we'll take the train and come with a lively group to really immerse ourselves in the experience."

The Cott Inn

➤ Cott Lane, Dartington, TQ9 6HE, Totnes, United Kingdom

Carte • Pizza • Cafés • Steak • Asiatic

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"Went in for my birthday on 27th December. Very busy indeed. Great vibe, lovely pub. The service was impeccable by who I presume was the flamboyant owner. Very nice and attentive by all staff. Why 3 stars? I ordered the turkey pie. The flavours were excellent, although the parmesan mash was a bit skimpy and over processed (mash needs a bit of body to it). However, the main thing was the pie was essentially a soup--remove the pastry top and it was liquid underneath, with turkey floating in it. Once I had finished the pie, the bowl was still half full with liquid. Very odd indeed and simply should not be served from the kitchen My wife ordered the deep fried camembert salad. Again, this was an over mixed leaf salad where one could not taste the constituent parts (beetroot, tomatoes, walnuts etc) as they had all been mixed in and tossed in an over tart balsamic glaze. Keep leaves separate from other elements, and let the subtle elements speak for themselves. We had to drive for 40 mins, so likely wont come back as not special enough. However, if we lived nearer we def would. Suspect the above dishes were slight curveballs and I am being hard with the stars as a soup pie is unacceptable but I am sure the pub does excellent grub elsewhere and service was impeccable."