The Saracen's Head

We booked for a 'Family' meal on Sunday - There were 12 of us in total, 4 children, plus x3 dogs. A little bit worried in case we upset other diners, but Ian & his Team were so accommodating. We had a private dining room, the was food delicious & we were not rushed. It was a leisurely Sunday afternoon where we all caught up with each other, a real family occasion Thank you so much, Ian & Team we All had a brilliant time.

The food is very tasty and the chap who normally serves is very personable. However, we did have a very disappointing Sunday lunch mainly due to the awful service. It took a long while for the main course to arrive, although that didn’t bother us too much. We finished the main course and then waited a a good 15 minutes, and several vain attempts to catch the young waitress’s eye, to ask to see the dessert menu. So I went to the bar and got a menu. It then took nearly an unbelievable 20 minutes more to put our order in. I think the young waitress realised the service was pretty bad because every time I caught her eye, she looked away. In the end I had to shout across the restaurant so she had to come over and acknowledge us. I asked if our crumbles would be much longer and she said “he’s doing them now “. I thought that meant plating up but it obviously meant he was just about to put them in the oven!! We then waited what seemed an age. That was then over 50 minutes from when we had finished our main course. We gave up waiting and went. All we ask is that you keep talking to us and tell us what’s happening. In fact we discovered a delightful tea shop in Itteringham village which had the most divine home-made Victoria sponge cake. People,generally speaking, don’t mind waiting, as long as somebody both acknowledges the fact that they have been waiting ages l, and meets their gaze with a smile so they don’t feel invisible or frustrated. Surely it’s just just good customer service. It’s a shame because we really like this place.

We stayed for two nights. It lives up to its catchphrase of being a centre of excellence on the middle of nowhere! Food was excellent in particular an epic full English breakfast. The room was comfortable but not luxurious. Service was welcoming, warm and simply brilliant. Would rate it 5 if the room had two armchairs and a walk-in shower. We will definitely return.