We have eaten here several times before and always enjoyed the whole experience. However, we ate there last night and it was appalling, it has obviously changed hands again, as it was not a patch on its former self.
The menu was full of seasonal salads. In November? (It was minus 5 degrees outside, definitely not salad weather.)
We started with goat cheese salad with walnuts (no walnuts, and far too much raw onion, totally over powered the subtle flavour of the goats cheese) and pate with a large salad garnish and only one slice of toast, which was sufficient for one of the two slices of pate given.
Tomato and tarragon soup was nice.
Followed by the mains of fish cake with selection of vegetables, this fish cake was deep fried and was inedible, carrots over cooked, swede cubes and new potatoes, and off the specials board brandy braised steak. This was described on the board as 'To Die For'. It was dry, over-cooked, had no flavour and had no brandy in the sauce whatsoever, set on a bed of mash.
We did however have a great bottle of red which we enjoyed.
When we mentioned this to the waitress (who was efficient) we were told it was the chef's first day. Should be his last as well.
It was such a disappointment, we have loved the food and atmosphere here so many times before, but on a Saturday night to only have 14 people in the whole place speaks volumes, or maybe it was REM coming out of the sound system that was putting people off. Definitely not the right background music for 'fine dining', as much as I like REM.
Avoid this place like the plague, until they get there act together.
We have 4 reviews of Ye Olde Mustard Pot.