Cottage In The Wood

This has always been a special place for me, so this Sunday lunch was rather a let down. I understand that food is more expensive to buy and profit margins have to be maintained, but this was disappointing. Prawn cocktail, lots of lettuce, tiny amount of sauce and prawn. Roast beef, though excellent, 2 small slices, roast potatoes tough, having been kept hot for too long, peas as a green vegetable, obviously frozen, not even petite pois. Cauliflower cheese still good, bread likewise. Also service good. Tiny apple crumble, excellent. Maybe a weekday menu would be better? I can’t recommend this now, alas.

After our trip to this hotel, we read reviews again to try to understand how our experience could be so different from marvellous reviews we had read, which helped us select to Cottage in the Woods. For our wedding anniversary, we splashed out on one of the superior rooms with a view (£368). The view and privacy (own balcony/verandah) was perfect and bed v comfortable The room? V little luxury to reflect the princely sum charged. Peeling paint on door in bathroom, cheap furnishings and art on walls. We.opted for Brasserie dining experience- whilst the staff were gracious, food was mediocre (at best) and portion size small. It made us wonder what the 7 course taster diners experience was like. Perhaps all culinary efforts go into that?? As for breakfast.... my other half opted for full English (we were both hungry after long walk.on Saturday and child size dinner portions night before).... I went for smoked salmon and eggs. His face fell when food brought to table.... one sausage, half a black.pudding, a slice of bacon, small.portion of mushrooms, one scrambled egg portion.....mine? One tiny poached egg and slice of smoked salmon on shopbought bread. .and i was charged extra for additional.espresso. My other half was generous in his comments ('maybe they're on a super tight budget with rising costs'). Me? I wondered where the other half of our breakfast was. We are not big eaters.... but what was presented was frankly laughable. The person who checked us in on Sat,checked us out again Sunday..no pleasantries, no 'how was your stay?', not even a smile. We left feeling a bit sad (and have spent over £500 for this experience)... the setting is beautiful and we so wanted to be able.to.join others before us and write glowing review.... alas, not the case.

Outstanding food in a stylish restaurant with panoramic views. Celebrated my 60th today. We went to Le Manoir for my 50th but I have to say the meal I had was on par. I had the Chicken in a red wine jus with autumn vegetables with a side of sprouting broccoli. Perfectly cooked with a jus to die for. My husband enjoyed his burger. Our desserts were excellent too. Attentive, friendly service too. Highly recommend.