The Hardwick, Abergavenny Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“Quote The Raven. Very Poor service fro9m shift supervisor”
Written on: 20/01/2012 by Towser
A good meal but a bad taste after very poor service from the shift supervisor. there was no point in pointing out the poor service to the shift supervisor as she was the one that gave the poor servise. I have asked for a telephone call from the manager and I will see if this ever happens. Dated 20/01/2011 (read more)
★★★☆☆
“We booked a table to celebrate Valentine's Day.The...”
Written on: 16/02/2011
We booked a table to celebrate Valentine's Day.The food was delicious - I had pumpkin ravioli to start and undyed haddock for main. My husband had jerusalem artichoke soup and roast beef. However, the waitress was very rude - making comments about the fact there was no food left on our plates - surely that's a compliment! We asked several times for the dessert menu and waited a good twenty minutesfor it to arrive. The table adjacent to us had the same problem. We mentioned this when we paid... (read more)
★★★★★
“We ate here for the first time this week and cannot...”
Written on: 28/10/2010 by Luddite (1 review written)
We ate here for the first time this week and cannot speak highly enough about it. The food was superb, flavoursome and well cooked. The only critiscism we could have was portions were too big - this is very unusual!
The service was magnificent, the manager was friendly but at the same time remained totally professional - a difficult balance. He guided us toward a wine we would not normally have chosen, saying that if we didn't like it he would drink it - unfortunately for him it was...
(read more)
★★★★★
“I came upon your site whilst looking for the...”
Written on: 20/09/2010 by David Walters (1 review written)
I came upon your site whilst looking for the restaurants telephone number and have found the reviews to be fascinating reading. Having frequented the restaurant since it opened I honestly cannot recognise it from some of the experiences described. Having wined and dined all over the world I have found the quality of food to be both exceptionally good and very consistent. The service is as one would expect - friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Given the quality of the... (read more)
★★★★★
“We always go to the Hardwick for special occasions,...”
Written on: 09/09/2010
We always go to the Hardwick for special occasions, the food has always been fabulous and the staff great.I always recommend it to anyone who want's to go somwhere special for a meal.I went for my Birthday, asked could Stephen Terry come out of the kitchen to have a photo with me which he did and gave me a kiss, he was really friendly.I cannot say anything bad about the times we have been there. Well done. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Well, I thought I would just add my comments regarding...”
Written on: 12/07/2010
Well, I thought I would just add my comments regarding our "Stephen Terry Experience". We went to The Hardwick for an evening meal last Saturday, 10th July, to celebrate a 60th birthday because we had a really good meal there 18 months ago. The staff and service were good, but the food was terrible. For our starters, three of us had the Roasted Red Onion Tart with Stilton Cheese, It just appeared to be a piece of Just-Roll flakey pastry cut with a four inch pastry cutter, with one slice... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“We were expecting a dining experience after having...”
Written on: 04/07/2010
We were expecting a dining experience after having read reviews in the Telegraph. Service was generally good although we had to ask for bread, water and the wine list a couple of times. Too much choice and very fussy, food varied from good to indifferent, lack of taste. The Telegraph highlighted the three times cooked chips which were like the potato wedges you get in any pub. Not food that "wowed" us. Wouldn't go again (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“I have had some lovely meals here but the last time I...”
Written on: 06/05/2010
I have had some lovely meals here but the last time I went (sometime during late summer 2009), I was very dissapointed. Based on previous experience which was good, I chose the pub to take my 90 year old grandmother (who is partially sighted)for lunch. We were kept waiting for the food for a good half an hour or so and the restaurant was nearly empty. The waitress was terribly impolite, cold and unfriendly, and seemed impatient that my partially sighted grandmother had to have the menu read... (read more)
Evantine's Comment
Written on: 12/10/2011
After being regular customer for 2 years, and never having a single complaint about food or service, I was terribly disappointed with my last visit and have not been back since. The lunch menu had gone so far down market, with nothing other than basic food (dressed up with fancy language). No specials or anything I wanted to order. I agree that the waitress (sounds like the one mentioned in other reviews) needed a customer care course.
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★★☆☆☆
“Unfortunately you cannot give zero stars for service....”
Written on: 26/04/2010
Unfortunately you cannot give zero stars for service. I had the same experience as the reviewer in Feb 2009. Kept waiting for 30 mins to take the order and we had children under 6. When we queried this there were no apologies just justifications.
The food may be good but the service was so poor. We will not be going back.
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Sunday 31st January 2010 - party of four Sunday lunch ”
Written on: 09/02/2010
Sunday 31st January 2010 - party of four Sunday lunch
Venue cold. Our party had 2 course set Sunday lunch.
Starters quite substantial but sweets were very small. Complained because one of our party found piece of bone in his meat, waitress apologised but didn't really want to know.
I was disgusted at service and attitude at the Hardwick that I emailed them and was told that the meat is sourced in and that it was unfortunate that it contained an alleged piece of bone. The sweet being...
(read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 27 Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“Sunday Lunch 31st January 2010 - party of four ”
Written on: 09/02/2010
Sunday Lunch 31st January 2010 - party of four
Cold venue. Overpriced food with not enough choice for set Sunday lunch.
Complained to waitress because one of our party found piece of bone in his meat, apologised but didn't really want to know. We only wanted 2 courses, two of our party having starters which were quite substantial but the sweets were very small. We were told after I complained by e'mail that the courses formed part of a three course meal and that was why the sweet was...
(read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Average and very expensive ive had just as good in...”
Written on: 06/01/2010
Average and very expensive ive had just as good in local pubs for a fraction of the price where has all the hype come from? £17.50 for a cottage pie and chips that was only slightly better than what i had in Weatherspoons the day before Stephen Terry is having a laugh (read more)
★★★★★
“the food is always excelent,the sevice first class,...”
Written on: 13/12/2009
the food is always excelent,the sevice first class, your treated as an individual. the atmosphere is always livley and you don't have to go around wispering all night.there is always something different on the menu and all tastes seem to be catered for.always a very enjoyable experience. (read more)
Debtaylormbe's Comment
Written on: 23/08/2011
interesting review, how many times have you eaten there? What have you eaten? do you eat in many 'quality' places? Very interested in your views and experience.
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★★★★☆
“I visited The hardwick in a party of 7 including 2...”
Written on: 27/09/2009
I visited The hardwick in a party of 7 including 2 fussy teenagers, who shared a starter then ordered beefburgers!! However everyone was treated with respect and service was good. The food was delicious and apart from a few greens the plates all went back empty.Wjoyed our meal we all enjoyed our meal in a very friendly atmosphere.
The menu is available online and although a little expensive, you are prewarned.
(read more)
★★★☆☆
“ As a gastropub The Hardwick works-just. The setting...”
Written on: 13/09/2009
As a gastropub The Hardwick works-just. The setting is rustic ,red quarry tiled floor and "country pub" decor. The menu (available online) fell short of other comparable places. I had the belly pork and black pudding starter -too dry and lacking flavour, followed by the rib-eye steak with triple cooked chips. The steak was cooked and flavoured really well ,as only restaurants seem able.A dissapointing small desert menu resulted with me selecting the treacle tart icecream which sadly Ive... (read more)
★★★★★
“This is a real fine dining experience, and I cannot...”
Written on: 29/05/2009 by hugheswilburg (3 reviews written)
This is a real fine dining experience, and I cannot understand the negative reviews on this site.
The Hardwick building and inside atmosphere are really historic, not too formal yet with a pleasant quiet surround.
You can have bitter on tap at the bar, followed by being escorted to a nicely decorated, if rustic, table.
(read more)
★★★★☆
“ So, after a 40 mile drive, was The Hardwick worth...”
Written on: 01/05/2009
So, after a 40 mile drive, was The Hardwick worth it? On balance, just about, though it wasn't the gastronomic delight that reviews and publicity might lead one to believe. (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“For such a highly thought of restaurant, The...”
Written on: 26/04/2009 by meddyg (1 review written)
For such a highly thought of restaurant, The Hardwick, I found the inability to select a palatable house red wine surprising.I was asked to select wine on the type of grape used for its production in a very pretentious style.I ended up with a rather sharp tasting Chilean merlot .
Later,I had to endure a wine waiter who made a laughably pretentious performance over sniffing a plastic cork and then proceeded to tip wine over the table cloth and down the side of every glass.
The menu is...
(read more)
★★☆☆☆
“We took my elderly parents out for a special meal...”
Written on: 26/04/2009 by hamlyn
We took my elderly parents out for a special meal yesterday evening, we live locally and eat out a lot. We had read the reviews and my Mum particularly was looking forward to a relaxed but special evening. The menu was inaccessible for people used to good, simple food, some of the dishes mixing fish and meat which was offputting. As for myself (a vegetarian) there were only 2 possible starters and 1 main course option. Service was quite condescending as if they had been instructed not to... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Overall nice relaxing Sunday lunch at The Hardwick...”
Written on: 05/04/2009
Overall nice relaxing Sunday lunch at The Hardwick even with the restaurant busy it was welcoming and good service without being intrusive. (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 27 Reviews
★★★☆☆
“Our Hardwick experience started brilliantly but went...”
Written on: 04/03/2009 by Liz bb
Our Hardwick experience started brilliantly but went pear shaped after the starters. In fairness the place was packed and had large party of eleven in on top so I guess the kitchen went into meltdown. The staff were apologetic and friendly. They do need better air con as it was stiffilingly hot which didn't help with the overall experience. Would give it another go but maybe for lunch service as there were flashes of brilliance in some of the dishes but my kids are less forgiving and still... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“We are regular visitors to the area and have had some...”
Written on: 26/08/2008
We are regular visitors to the area and have had some great food experiences around Aber so took a trip to this 'gastropub' on the basis of The Guardian's review. Had a truly disappointing experience, the food was dull-to-dreadful - when we gently pointed out the fact that one of the key ingredients (Tuna) was missing from a salad we were told that the chef definitely put the Tuna in the salad and that because my wife had eaten most of the salad we couldn't prove it anyway.
I feel as though...
(read more)
★★★★☆
“Consistently good on our visits - staff always good....”
Written on: 19/03/2008
Consistently good on our visits - staff always good. Have an excellent wine list - try the Stella Bella!! (read more)
★★★★★
“On our visit we were pleasantly greeted by staff, the...”
Written on: 14/01/2008 by harrisk
On our visit we were pleasantly greeted by staff, the ambience is warm, relaxed and friendly, our waiter/waitress were perfectly attentive and courteous - just the right amount of time between courses, the food that arrived was the best I've tasted in a long time - fresh, brilliantly cooked and presented. I eat out alot, both in London and in Surrey - and I am being perfectly honest in saying - myself and everyone in my party were mightily impressed. The Hardwick certainly shows up the... (read more)
★★★★★
“This is the best restaurant I have been in for years. ...”
Written on: 01/04/2007 by evantine (10 reviews written)
This is the best restaurant I have been in for years. Some dishes put unusual ingredients together - which work! The owners are welcoming and helpful - making you feel special, even when turning up in mucky hiking clothes. Highly recommended. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“It took nearly 30 minutes just to have our order...”
Written on: 12/02/2007 by DinnerUK (1 review written)
It took nearly 30 minutes just to have our order taken. We gave up on puddings and coffee, as we couldn't face another long wait.
Staff at The Hardwick restaurant in Abergavenny were defensive about our fair comments on the service, justifying themselves, instead of attempting to improve the situation.
(read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“We entered The Hardwick restaurant in Abergavenny on a...”
Written on: 03/02/2007 by Dai Williams (1 review written)
We entered The Hardwick restaurant in Abergavenny on a Saturday lunchtime, and it was almost empty. We sat at an unmarked table, and we were asked to move as they were expecting a 'VIP'. Not feeling important enough, we left - pity. (read more)
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Guest's Comment
Written on: 23/08/2011
will be writing my own review shortly, as still waiting for a response to my own complaints from 26.7.11. i had the feeling these people were arrogant, this just adds to that thought - i am horrified with their lack of customer care...... who do these people think they are? what an awful man.