The Plough, Alnwick

The Plough, Alnwick reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. C

   Carole

   Berkshire2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on April 4, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   Our experience at the Plough was grim, the interior decor is pleasant, the young lady who had to deal with our issues was very polite and did her best, but overall this was a disappointing and unsavoury experience. For lunch I ordered 'Garlic & herb grilled chicken wrap, red cabbage slaw, aioli', OH fish and chips, his was OK, although the batter was very dark and the chips were frozen, however my meal was dreadful, also the wine was very acidic and stale. The 'grilled herbed chicken' was pieces of some sort of grisly meat, no herbs or grill had been anywhere near the 'chicken'. The red cabbage slaw was just red cabbage in a slimy dressing, there was no aioli , the wrap itself had obviously been sitting on the side and was too dry and tough to eat. The chips were frozen and arrived luke warm. The food arrived suspiciously quickly. I attempted to eat two pieces of the chicken, and had to spit both into my serviette. The salad in the wrap was limp, the wrap inedible. When the young lady came to collect our plates, ( no one had been to enquire as to whether or not we were happy with our food) we explained the problems, she could see for herself that my plate had hardly been touched. However she proceeded to give us a bill for the full price, when we questioned this, we were told she needed to call the manager. We were then offered a complimentary drink, but were informed we still had to pay full price for the food. When we expressed our disbelief at this, she called the manager again and he agreed to deduct the price of my dish. The Plough was virtually empty, on Friday lunchtime, the young lady behind the bar appeared to be very young, and was very quietly spoken, there was another very young lady waiting. There was a group of young men at the bar, not customers, they were friendly with the young waitress mainly. At one point they all disappeared up the stairs to the first floor and were running around like little kids, very noisy,most unprofessional.
   

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2. M

   Mark

   Newcastle8 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on March 30, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Food was nice but rest was very poor. Arrived to find one member of staff staffing bar and restaurant, which didn’t work. Shown to table and waited quite a while for drinks and food order to be taken. A friend of the staff was helping to fold napkins. Eventually the nibbles arrived via another friend who had turned up and was just helping out. As it was Mother’s Day we knew it was busy but clearly overbooked and not enough staff. After another hour our starter arrived. Whilst eating we were asked to move tables to accommodate a disabled person who had booked a ground floor table but this had not been arranged. We relocated to the function room and were the only persons in the room but seemed to be just forgot about. At one point the chief briefly started bringing food out from the kitchen to other diners to help. One of our drinks was missed and left behind, when we moved. The main course eventually arrived after having to ask. The cauliflower cheese never arrived. We ate the main course and the dishes were never cleared from the table. Persons serving lacked experience of setting table, drinks/food options, asking if ok or if anything else. There was no offer of any condiments and we didn’t want to wait another hour. An hour later we politely reminded the manager we were still here and still waiting for deserts and coffee and truffles, as it was a set menu. I asked if it could be speeded up as we had already missed an appointment. We were advised it would be but was not. After 3 hours and fifteen minutes we had no option but to leave, as we had another appointment. We paid for what we had had minus a bottle of wine which was deducted as a goodwill gesture. There was no apology and when asked given the reason staff had not turned in. There were many other complaints from others including been left with no one serving in the restaurant for long periods of time. Also customers turning up for booked tables to find no table available. Very poor dining experience.
   

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3. H

   Heather

   London26 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 27, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   Starters were substantial, mains were lacking in vegetables, but all Food was tasty, albeit pie crust was rock solid - definitely no soggy bottom here! Lacked atmosphere, felt rather basic overall and only John Smith’s sold - not really somewhere to linger.
   

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4. F

   Fiona VIP

   Yorkshire30 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food thank you and enjoyed the atmosphere . Fish and chips was especially good and good deal on 2 cocktails for £12
   

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5. M

   Michael

   Yorkshire1 review

   4.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We were wanting a family venue for Sunday Lunch having 5 adults and 2 children aged 6 and 2. This place was great. They had traditional Sunday lunches at reasonable prices and also a children's menu. Would definitely go back. Staff were very helpful.
   

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6. L

   Lewis

   Newcastle1 review

   2.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   overpriced and bland in taste, would avoid getting foot all together. Drinks were fine
   

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7. D

   David

   Vancouver1 review

   5.0

   Dined on February 16, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Best Sunday lunch. Classic roast was perfect, great veggie and lighter options. Staff were great. Dog friendly, nice beers and Heineken 0% on tap for the driver. Couldn’t fault it.
   

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8. J

   Jacob

   Newcastle2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was lovely - went for the traditional fish and chips. Ideal after a long day exploring Alnwick. The staff were great. Thank you
   

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9. L

   Laura

   County Durham1 review

   1.0

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We arrived for our booking at 12 noon and stood outside for 20 minutes and the venue did not open so had to find elsewhere to eat. This was meant to be a treat for a birthday.
   

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10. D

    Danielle

    Newcastle1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Lovely Sunday lunch with my mam and the kids today
    

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