After my daughter attended 2 celebratory parties at this venue, we decided to try it for a family lunch. I think the hotel are trying to develop their restaraunt trade as they are advertising that the restaraunt will be open from 15th February 2012 in the evenings. We booked for a Sunday afternoon and had to enquire what sort of meals were available as the website though very professional looking was a little confusing.
It is located in the countrside, easy to get to from Junction 3 of the M42 and from Earlswood. From the outside, the building doesnt look like a restaraunt - vey much like a large B&B, with the rooms in separate buildings and the owners house (and garage) prominent. The gardens at the rear will be very pleasant in the summer, with a decked seating areas, covered lounging area and outside bar. I have seen ample photographs to see how versatile this area can be.
On arrival, we had to go past the unmanned Reception Desk to get to the restaraunt. The approach is through a pleasant lounge area - contemporary and comfortable seating and into the restaraunt with a bar area and space for, I guess., 50 covers. There are large windows overlooking the garden. Though plainly decorated it was a welcoming space.
There were only 10 other diners as well as our party of 8. Service whilst frendly it was uncertain. We had to ask twice for a high chair for my grandson, one drink was incorrect, and we were not offered the childrens menu, and the speed was noticeably slow even for a relaxed sunday afternoon.
The menu is not extensive; 4 starters - the choices were generally well received - and 6 mains of which 4 were different roasts. The roasts were all served with a puffed Yorshire pudding. There were generally fine, though the meat portion was small and was on the 'cool' side drenched in hot gravy that I found very overpowering. Vegetables that came separately in serve yourself bowls were excellent, hot and plentiful, as was the cauliflower cheese. There was a choice of 5 sweets - well received though my sticky toffee pudding was dry - but one of our party was disappointed. They are dairy intolerant and asked if they could offer fresh fruit (not on the sweet menu). We thought this a reasonable request as Melon was on the menu as a starter which one of our party had had. The answer was no, there was none available - very strange........
The cost including drinks and for 6 adults and 2 children was around £13 per head. Reasonable value for money.