Reviews of Bear & Ragged Staff, Cumnor
Review by J A on 9th May, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 8/5/09
Well I have to say I have been very pleasantly proved wrong.
I HAD thought that customer service was a thing of the past in this country now, but it is most definitely alive and well.
After last week’s meal at the Bear & Ragged Staff, I was contacted by the proprietor Mark Greenwood. He told me that the main course that I had ordered was one of the smaller dishes that they do, owing to the cost of the cuts of lamb and the fact that the carrots are specially grown and cost £20 for a small bunch!
He asked me to try the Bear again, but this time to try one of the other dishes, promising that I would most certainly come away with a different viewpoint.
We went there again last night, both my son and myself had the Warm Salad of Pigeon, Frisee, Black Pudding & Bacon Lardons to start, which having never tried pigeon before was a revelation, and something I will definitely be having again!
My wife and daughter shared the Charcuterie Platter, and were both very impressed with it.
For the mains, two of us had the steak and chips, which was plentiful, one had the Swordfish steak, and one had the pork tenderloin. All of which were cooked perfectly and very satisfying.
Deserts, two of us had the chocolate fondants, and one had the strawberry crème brulee, all of which were extremely tasty and filling.
All in all, I take back all that I said last week about the Bear, and would highly recommend this now, as long as you remember that if you have a healthy appetite you steer clear of the lamb (and apparently the monkfish), which are both relatively small portions, and which now the staff have been instructed to advise of this fact. I have to say that last weeks lamb was cooked to perfection and was very tasty, but it was just too soon gone.
So, please ignore my previous “rant” and maybe try out the Bear for yourselves.
Review by JA on 2nd May, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 1/5/09
I went to the Bear 28 years ago, and swore I'd never go back. It was over-priced, minute portions (A tiny piece of meat, about four oxo cube sized portions of potato, and 6 mange tout if I remember correctly). I always said it was the most expensive meal I'd had, and the worst!
I went back there last night. The mushroom starter wasn't too bad, (lots of rocket filling the plate, but a reasonable size portion). The main course arrived and I'm sure the disappointment must have shown on my face! Canon of lamb.....2 tiny pieces of lamb cutlets, 3 baby carrots, 5 mange tout, and a round potato! To be fair, when we ordered, the waitress did say that we could order extra veg or side orders if we wanted.....but as the menu said "Spring veg & potato", we didn't think we would need to! At almost £17 for the main course, you would expect a reasonable amount on your plate? I had a rhubarb trifle to finish, tasty but again for the money it was not exactly good value. The total bill was £84 and I just felt that I had been ripped off. I don’t mind paying a decent price if you get good food, and good service but I object to paying £17 for a plate that had more plate showing than food! I had thought that the “nouveaux cuisine” of the 80’s (i.e. tiny portions, but over-inflated prices) had gone, but unfortunately it is alive and well at the Bear and Ragged Staff.
I came home and ate a bread roll as I was still hungry! I don’t think I’ll be going back there for at LEAST another 28 years!
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