Well that is what Touring Tigger was told by an off duty member of staff at the bar in a pretty obnoxious way.

Let’s start at the beginning. Firstly, we only ate here and did not stay.
About an hour earlier Touring Tigger had ordered a home made burger made from the meat of locally reared beef, Mrs TT ordered fried chicken.
TT could not eat the burger, despite a day on the fells, it was not nice. The chips were OK so he ate those and shared some fried chicken which was also OK.

When the plates were collected, TT told the waitress that the burger was inedible, she apologised and left. Then nothing.

Whilst finishing the wine neighbouring tables were cleared and offered deserts / coffees, still no one came to our table. So TT went to the bar and asked to settle the bill, which included the cost of the burger. TT repeated that the burger was inedible and he was not going to pay for it, it is then that the person at the bar interjected.

A discussion ensued and TT reiterated that it was inedible in his view and as the customer he was not going to pay. He was asked why he had not asked to see the manager. He thought after the first complaint the manager would come to the table and ask what was wrong, but no one came. TT was asked if he wanted to see the manager, he was quite happy to talk to him but would not be coming back.

Meanwhile the cost of the burger had been deducted without a word, so Touring Tigger paid and departed into the rain.

We only had a meal one night during our week's stay in Grasmere. The food was average, at best. Even the chips were dry!! It was less expesive that the other restaurants in Grasmere, but still not cheap. Not worth the money - we won't be back.

Whilst we didn't stay at Ash Cottage ,we decided to have our anniversary meal there.The menu posted outside the hotel seemed appealing but was a huge disappointment.
My husband asked if he could have a peppercorn sauce with his steak but was told that the only sauce available was Tabasco!-the chef apparently said that he didn't have the ingredients to make a pepper sauce(what ? a kitchen with no milk/cream ,no pepper and no stock??)unbelievable..
The waitress service was very poor.We had to fetch our own drinks from the bar,and yes we had booked in the restaurant,not outside on the dining patio.The food overall was also very poor.Avoid Ash Cottage if you want an acceptable meal.

Ignore any bad reviews Ashcottage in our opinion is by far the best hotel in Grasmere, (we have stayed in several over the years) top quality furnishings, spotless rooms with sparkling white bed linen, mouth watering food and helpful friendly staff. This hotel has everything for a relaxing getaway we have stayed here 4 times now and will definatly keep going back. The restaurant has a great vibe on an evening with live music on at the weekend. We always book 5 star hotels so are used to a high standard of service and Ashcottage hotel exceeds our expectations everytime we stay, if you like top quality hotels, great hosting, lively yet relaxing atmospheres you wont be dissapionted. By far our top UK getaway yet!!!