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Reviews - The Kestrel

Reviews

8.9
of 10

Fabulous
71 reviews
Ambience
8.5
Food
9.0
Service
9.0
Real experiences from real diners
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  • Mark H.10 reviews

    5 May 2024

    10/10

    Great place for a Sunday lunch !

  • David C.1 review

    1 October 2023

    7/10

    food very average for this well known chain Have eaten and stayed here many times over the years and always been presently surprised . Sadly this last visit was not the best service good ambience good but food quality has gone down hill . I think the effort to serve people fast has had an adverse effect on the food being served .

  • Sharon H.1 review

    12 August 2023

    6/10

    The sirloin steak was full of grizzle. It was the worst steak I have had in years. The Eton Mess was just Meringue and cream with no real raspberries, just raspberry flavour sprinkles. Very disappointing. I won’t be returning

  • Malcolm G.3 reviews

    30 July 2023

    8.5/10

    When visiting The Kestrel pub and restaurant on Sunday, one of the first things that struck me was the excellent service. The staff was not only friendly but remarkably speedy too, which added an extra charm to our overall dining experience. Efficiency was a clear priority, but it was balanced with warm and attentive hospitality, making us feel right at home. The food quality, it goes without saying, was impressive. The portion sizes were generous and well worth the price. My wife chose the pork Sunday roast, and it was a real treat. The plate was laden with an ample amount of succulent pork, vibrant, well-cooked vegetables, and delectable roast potatoes. For my part, I opted for the fish and chips. The fish was perfectly fried to a golden-brown crisp, yet maintaining the succulent softness inside. The chips were equally delightful - chunky, crispy on the outside, and perfectly fluffy on the inside. It's clear that The Kestrel has mastered the art of traditional pub fare. So satiated were we with our main courses, we found ourselves unable to even contemplate ordering a pudding, despite the tantalising options on the dessert menu. We opted instead to finish our meal with coffee, which was very good - rich, aromatic, and provided a perfect end note to our meal. Lastly, I cannot complete this review without giving a special shout-out to the beer. The Kestrel serves a very good pint of Black Sheep - a testament to the pub's commitment to quality even in its drink selections. Keeping a good beer is indeed a skill that is often underrated, but The Kestrel clearly takes pride in this aspect, maintaining the highest standards. In conclusion, our visit to The Kestrel was a splendid experience filled with outstanding service, high-quality food, and superb beverages. Whether you're a food enthusiast or a craft beer lover, The Kestrel certainly won't disappoint. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a wonderful pub and dining experience.

  • Malcolm G.3 reviews

    18 June 2023

    8/10

    I recently had the pleasure of having a special Father's Day meal at The Kestrel, and overall, it was a delightful experience. The restaurant ambiance was warm and inviting, and the service was attentive throughout our visit. While there were a few small hiccups, the exceptional highlights of the meal more than made up for them. To start off, the pate was a standout dish. It was expertly prepared, with a smooth texture and a rich, flavorful taste. Moving on to the main course, the steak was cooked to perfection. It arrived at the table properly rare, as requested, and was incredibly succulent. The quality of the meat was evident, and each bite was a true delight. However, the chips accompanying the steak were a letdown. Despite being labeled as triple fried, they lacked the desired level of crunchiness, which was a bit disappointing. On a brighter note, the vegetables were well presented and added a fresh, vibrant touch to the meal. They were cooked to perfection, maintaining their natural textures and flavors. My wife's linguine was a pleasant surprise. It had a delightful taste, with the flavors of the sauce and pasta blending harmoniously. The portion size was satisfying, leaving us content. The dessert selection at The Kestrel was a definite highlight. The crumble was particularly exceptional, with a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. The crumbly topping added a delightful textural contrast, and it was a true treat for the taste buds. The posset was another winner, with a smooth and creamy consistency that melted in the mouth. The presentation of both desserts was visually appealing, adding an extra touch of elegance to the overall experience. To accompany our meal, I enjoyed some well-kept beer. The selection was varied, and the flavors were robust and refreshing. It was clear that attention was given to maintaining the quality of the beverages. Considering the overall experience, I found The Kestrel to be a fair value for money. While there were minor disappointments, such as the lackluster chips, the exceptional quality of the pate, steak, linguine, and desserts more than made up for it. The attentive service and inviting ambiance added to the positive experience, making it a memorable Father's Day meal. I would gladly recommend The Kestrel for those seeking a special dining experience, and I look forward to returning to explore more of their menu offerings.

  • Mark H.1 review

    24 May 2023

    10/10

    Very impressed. I only made the booking as i bought a brand new Car and wanted to go for an hour drive. Lets just say i will be visiting again in the very near future. The eating area behind with the sun shining down and the most tasteful food served made it very memorable.

  • Kath S.1 review

    19 April 2023

    9/10

    Nice restaurant with welcoming staff

  • Amanda W.2 reviews

    8 April 2023

    10/10

    A lovely restaurant with a peaceful and homely ambience. The food is delicious and a good choice for vegetarians! I highly recommend The Kestrel for lunch and dinner. If it’s a sunny day you can chill outside in the lovely outside area and bask in the sun. It’s one of my fave places ♥️

  • Judith h.2 reviews

    14 February 2023

    7/10

    Go regularly and generally have a starter and main -usually a steak -previously steaks always really good but last twice disappointing -tough

  • Andrew S.2 reviews

    15 January 2023

    10/10

    Excellent Sunday lunch - the restaurant was packed but the service was very quick - food was lovely

  • Janet M.2 reviews

    20 December 2022

    10/10

    Lovely choice of delicious foods on offer. Good service and great venue

  • David A.1 review

    24 August 2022

    9/10

    Five of us met for lunch and a catch up. All five were entirely satisfied with the selected main courses and all had just enough room for a mini pud with coffee. Good selection of beers ...will be back soon

  • Adrian W.1 review

    28 July 2022

    10/10

    We were served by very welcoming staff, the service was second to none,the food was hot and very tasty and the price very reasonable, We have booked our next visit in September to take our family out for lunch.

  • Janet M.2 reviews

    7 November 2021

    10/10

    Went for Sunday lunch and the Kestrel was lovely. Food arrived promptly, all beautifully presented. Meal was fantastic, thank you

  • Cheryl B.1 review

    10 September 2021

    10/10

    We really enjoyed the food. Very friendly helpful staff. Lovely place if you want something special. Dogs are welcome but are kept separate to other diners. We discovered this place whilst on a camping trip. Lovely beer garden too! Would highly recommend if you are in the area.

  • Nigel G.1 review

    17 August 2021

    10/10

    Food and service was excellent. Could not have been better. The lasagne was very tasty and well presented. My daughter had a good quality pizza with proper slices of tomato. Would definitely return soon.

  • Lou K.1 review

    8 August 2021

    6/10

    This was our visit in quite a long time. It used to be alot better. The food and service was okay. Don't feel excited to go back again :/

  • Philip M.

    Philip M.1 review

    29 July 2021

    10/10

    Fantastic food and great service. The chips are awesome and the mini desserts a great idea, the only room for improvement is the coffee. We will be back.

  • Peter B.1 review

    24 July 2021

    10/10

    Made very welcome, staff friendly and efficient. Emma in particular had a great rapport. All enjoyed the meal. No complaints will be visiting again, when next in area.

  • Sophie S.1 review

    24 July 2021

    6/10

    Food was okay.. the burger was fab but chips very dry and pudding very claggy and heavy. Service was shocking. A friend asked the waitress to help split the bill and her exact words ‘I don’t have time to be doing this’. Service alone has put me off returning. Very stroppy young madam with no time for valued customers after the amount we spent.

  • Louise S.1 review

    14 June 2021

    10/10

    The staff were very polite and welcoming. The service was prompt and courteous; we were never left waiting, but also didn’t feel pressured. The food was hot - and scrummy with great choices at really good value. Will be back.

  • Bill R.1 review

    9 June 2021

    8.5/10

    We felt safe in the restaurant, food was good and service from Wendy was excellent. The dessert, apple and blackcurrant crumble, was heaven. It was good that the staff insisted that we used the NHS app to confirm our visit at the outset.

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