Brewers Fayre Exeter Review

Reviewed by Ian Ballinger

We booked a Father’s Day meal at the Brewers Fayre in Exeter for our wonderfully functional, dysfunctional family. My wife and I, with my step daughters (13, and 10) plus our girls’ dad, his fiancée and their two boys (2 and 8 months).

Whilst I originally booked for four people, I was unsuccessful in my attempt to increase the booking because the phone number on the website didn’t work. We carried on anyway in hope we could be accommodated, and thankfully with a short delay in the bar, a table was prepared for us with no fuss from the manager.

The pub is very new and has a nice feel and atmosphere throughout. New does bring a different set of challenges to a business and we were about to see a great deal of them over the next three hours.

We were sat at our freshly cleaned down table just after 7pm, which was a great effort considering we arrived for our 6.30 booking at around 6.45.

Whilst we were waiting in the bar, the first quirk of the evening cropped up, as you don’t get served where you’re standing at the bar, you have to move from where you are standing next to the till of the operator. If people are waiting to be served in front of the till where your server is working from, they have to move to let you in. Like a game of musical bar positions, without the fun.

At 7.20 I was getting annoyed that no waitress had been to take our order and went to the bar to ask for service, when they told us that you order food at the bar. That was quite frustrating as we hoped the children would be eating by now.

After round two of musical bar positions, the food order was taken just before 7.30. One of our meal choices was unavailable, but they told us straight and another selection was made.

At that point I had to call my dad and excused myself to make the call in the beer garden. On coming back in, I saw every single table with plates and glasses that hadn’t been cleared for who knows how long, under attack from 10+ seagulls and a poor couple looking scared to death of what was happening right next to them. I was feeling pretty annoyed at the growing list of frustrations this evening was presenting, especially as the bar and restaurant seemed very quiet.

On arrival at the table most of the starters had arrived and the food was decent. My mushrooms were delicious and it was a welcome relief to be eating something, just over an hour after we arrived. Whatever the experience we had up until that moment, everyone enjoyed their starters very much.

Sadly no-one cleared the table. Despite a door next to our table with waiting staff walking through fairly regularly, no-one cleared. When a waiter finally came, it was not to clear but to advise that one of our choices was now unavailable, despite being available when we ordered. This especially annoyed me as there was stock management in place for food because we were told to make a new choice when we first ordered. Sadly for Laura, it was her second choice that was all of sudden unavailable so she had to make a third choice.

Another 20 minutes passed before the mains arrived and the table had to be cleared when they came. It’s now 8.45 on a school night and the mains have just arrived.

Again, the food was decent for most of us with a couple nonplussed, but nothing that needed to be sent back.

When we finished the main courses the adults mused about dessert and the time, and decided to go for a pudding as the children on the special kids menu – which was varied and very good value – had three courses ordered. Daniel and Laura had cake each whilst Angelica and I opted for a sharing sundae.

About 15 minutes later the adult desserts came out. The table hadn’t been cleared again so a further delay as main courses were taken away to make room.

The problem with ice cream puddings is you can’t wait with yours being ruined. The sundae was a pool of mush when it arrived and quite disgusting, but it wasn’t going back. The cakes for Daniel and Laura were apparently delicious, so a big thumbs up for the Orio dessert.

I’d finished with our pool of mush and went to enquire about the children’s’ puddings as we have our nearly 10 minutes. Needless to say they had been forgotten and waited another 10 minutes from then. 9.45 they received their puddings nearly two and a half hours after the order was placed and three hours after we arrived.

While they were eating I went to complain and pay the bill. Having explained everything to the manager I have just written down, he asked me what I wanted him to do. He wasn’t happy and was very apologetic and assured me that we had not experienced the usual standards of service, which I completely believe, or they wouldn’t be in business.

We had a round of drinks and the desserts removed from the bill and left at 10pm.

It is a great shame to review an evening like this because the positives can get lost in the poor service.

• • The premises are comfortable and inviting. I’ve been for coffee after work and had a very pleasant experience.

• • The kids menu has a varied selection and is incredible value.

• • The adult menu is decent pub food.

• Convenient for local business with hotel on site.

Rating: 1.5/5

For more more information, to view menus or to make a booking click here or call 01392 345034.

Brewers Fayre Exeter. Honiton Road, Exeter, EX1 3RU | 01392 345034