The Slab House Inn, Wells Reviews
Latest Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“I rang the Slab House in November 2010 to book a table...”
Written on: 02/01/2011
I rang the Slab House in November 2010 to book a table for 14 guests, This was for our Family Christmas get together. I asked the person who answered the phone what dates they were open over the Chrismas period, and he told me that they were closed Mondays and Sunday evenings, I booked the table for Tuesday 28th December 2010 for 1pm lunch time, I gave my phone number and address so he could send me some menus, Menus arrived so I had no reason to think there was any problem. I rang the pub... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I have eaten The Slab House many times over the years...”
Written on: 09/12/2010
I have eaten The Slab House many times over the years and it has always had a good reputation and been busy. I didnt hesitate booking a table for our girlie christmas get together, however when we arrived, the pub was empty other than us, half of the pub was in darkness and it just felt really strange being in a big empty pub with no atmosphere. The menu looked lovely, however it was a set menu of £25 a head but we were just after good hearty pub food. The chef was accommodating and offered... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Went 20th November 2010 as a birthday treat partly on...”
Written on: 24/11/2010
Went 20th November 2010 as a birthday treat partly on the strength of the website menu, was bitterly disappointed as the vegetarian choice was virtually nil and 2 out of the 4 of my party were vegetarians.
We found the place cold, the staff were not attentive, seemed to be untrained even though the Inn appeared to be promoting an up market appearance, the food was quite expensive.
The meat course was good quality and the desserts were off same quality
(read more)
★★★★☆
“The service and food was excellent. ”
Written on: 13/11/2010
The service and food was excellent.
I would go again. We were the only diners on a thursday night,not a problem for me, but may put off some people.
Maybe pricey for Wells people-(who enjoy piled plates)
Food well presented and original.
(read more)
★★★★★
“I was staying in a holiday let close to the slab house...”
Written on: 12/11/2010
I was staying in a holiday let close to the slab house and was recommended to go as it was under new management I wasn't disappointed. I went with my partner the food service and decor was fantastic a busy Friday night. The food is amazing great presentation and taste. The service was also friendly and attentive. I would recommend it to anyone to give it a try. A fantastic night out thankyou I've never tasted food like it truly brilliant (read more)
★★★★★
“I ate here on a firday night with my parents and we...”
Written on: 07/11/2010
I ate here on a firday night with my parents and we enjoyed a fantastic display of cooking and service from this recently re-opened restaurant.
The chef clearly has big ideas for turning this nice family pub into a more formal dining experience with real flair and some very imaginitve modern cooking techniques on display.
The food is a notch above any of the local pub food found in the area, and whilst this is reflected in the price, it is far superiour to most of the local restaurants.
I...
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★☆☆☆☆
“For a birthday celabration we booked a table for 9, we...”
Written on: 10/10/2010
For a birthday celabration we booked a table for 9, we also had a very young child. The service was very slow, waited for over an hour for the first course.Very expencive and very shoddy service, will not be eating there again. (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“After deciding on a Friday that we wanted someone else...”
Written on: 21/09/2010
After deciding on a Friday that we wanted someone else too cook tea, we called The Slab House to book a table. We have eaten there many times before (under the old management) & thoroughly enjoyed the choice & atmosphere. We had seen the massive signage stating refurbishment & heard about new owners so thought we'd give it a go. We being, my husband, me & our 3 yr old son.
On arriving, the pub was completely empty apart from a gentelman who called in for a quick drink on his way home...
(read more)
★★★☆☆
“We had heard that The Slab House was under new...”
Written on: 14/09/2010
We had heard that The Slab House was under new management and as it was our wedding anniversary decided to treat ourselves.
The restaurant was difficult to find as it was very badly lit. The decoration was poor and in the section to the side, where we were placed, was totally lacking in both ambience and customers.
The waitress was attentive but didn't have the right approach for a restaurant of this supposed quality.
The food was okay but was not to the quality that we were...
(read more)
★★★★★
“I have never written a review before. But last night I...”
Written on: 04/09/2010
I have never written a review before. But last night I ate some truly delicious and exciting food. We ordered the tasting menu and each course brought more imaginative tastes and creative combinations. It was cooked to perfection and visually was a work of art.
The surroundings were perfectly pleasant. We were sitting by the window. Intimate but the correct distance from the next table. I would have liked a bit more light to see my food as my eyesight isn't brilliant and I don't think I was...
(read more)
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Showing 1 - 10 of 58 Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“Our first time in this part of the world and we asked...”
Written on: 20/08/2010
Our first time in this part of the world and we asked our B&B landlady to recommend a local pub. She said The Slab House was under new management but "no-one had been brave enough to try it yet". So we arrived with no expectations. In appearance, inside and out, it is a strange mixture of fine dining and old boozer. Some of the refurbishment is well done but it seems to have been abandoned half way through.
We were seated at the only available tiny table under the stairs, with a view of...
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★☆☆☆☆
“Avoid!! I wish I had read the reviews first. We went...”
Written on: 26/07/2010
Avoid!! I wish I had read the reviews first. We went to the Slab House Inn for Sunday Roast after hearing a radio advert saying it had new chefs and had been refurbished.
It is trying to be a fine dining restaurant, but the staff are not refined nor are the surroundings. When they say refurbished, they use the word very loosely. I found food on my chair as I went to sit down, the decor is half finished and the small detail has received no attention. We waited 50mins for our lunch and...
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★☆☆☆☆
“WENT WITH MY HUSBAND AND TWO FRIENDS, WE HAD HIGH...”
Written on: 22/07/2010
WENT WITH MY HUSBAND AND TWO FRIENDS, WE HAD HIGH EXPECTATIONS CONSIDERING THE PRICES ONLY TO BE BADLY LET DOWN ON ALL COUNTS. THE SERVICE WAS VERY POOR AND UNWELCOMING, THE MENU WAS EXTREMELY LIMITED AND THE WINE WAS VERY OVERPRICED FOR THE QUALITY. THE ONLY POSITIVE THING TO COMMENT ON WAS THE DECOR THROUGHOUT. SHAME, AS IT USED TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO EAT BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN OVER. DEFINATLEY NOT A PLACE TO GO BACK TO. WISH WE HAD READ THE REVIEWS BEFOREHAND, IT WOULD HAVE SAVED US... (read more)
★★★★★
“Visited The Slabhouse on Sunday 11th July for a family...”
Written on: 12/07/2010
Visited The Slabhouse on Sunday 11th July for a family occasion. There was 8 of us in our party. The staff were very welcoming and polite, the atmosphere was nice and relaxed. The food I must say was the best I have eaten anywhere locally for a very long time. Top marks to the chef it was fantastic and I will definately be going back very soon. Would recommend to anyone. What a great experience. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Our party arrived for Sunday lunch on 4 July after...”
Written on: 07/07/2010
Our party arrived for Sunday lunch on 4 July after telephone booking. The dining area was undergoing refurbishment, however we were placed in a side room which was quite acceptable. Both the food and service were ordinary. Very expensive for what was offered. Checking the bill once home I noticed I'd been charged for 2 drinks we hadn't ordered, a £7.25 overcharge. Didn't follow up as I was returning to NZ the following day. My last English dining out experience, very poor. (read more)
★★★★☆
“A very interesting and varied menu , great service and...”
Written on: 05/06/2010
A very interesting and varied menu , great service and good knowledge of their local produce. Chef executed dishes very well and would definately reccommend to others in the area who appreciate good food.
Well done the new team - see you again soon
(read more)
★★★★★
“I thought the food was absolutly brilliant,...”
Written on: 24/05/2010
I thought the food was absolutly brilliant, beautifully presented brilliant service overall amazing. I will be sure to recomend to my freinds. (read more)
★★★★★
“I visited for the first time with my family on Sunday...”
Written on: 11/05/2010
I visited for the first time with my family on Sunday 9th May. We chose to go there as we had heard there was a new chef. There were five in our group and we were all in agreement that the food was stunning, we had three courses and it was all absolutely faultless. My brother, an acclaimed Head Chef himself, was the first to go and compliment the new chef Adam on the quality of the food he produced. We will all definitely return. It was fantastic, the best tip Ive ever left anywhere! (read more)
★★★★★
“we have been going to the slab house regualrly for...”
Written on: 11/05/2010
we have been going to the slab house regualrly for several years and have always enjoyed all aspects of an evening there and when we went for a meal on saturday night we were not dissapointed; infact the food was even better than we have previously enjoyed! we were told that there is a new head chef and that he was gradually changing the menu to reflect his style...all i can say is 'can i have some more please' !! well done,we have already booked again and are looking forward to it! (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“we thought it was ran /co owner by celeb chief brian...”
Written on: 11/05/2010
we thought it was ran /co owner by celeb chief brian turner, thats what it says on website , how wrong ! the pub is freezing cold, had to wait well over an hr for food,and it was vile , all tastes of burnt butter , sickly,minimal menu, hated it all , never go back sorry...no celeb and they are way over the top with the food, its a pub not a gormet resturant !!! piddly portions ...yuke !!!!!! (read more)
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Showing 11 - 20 of 58 Reviews
★★★★☆
“Had Sunday lunch at the Slab House today and was...”
Written on: 09/05/2010
Had Sunday lunch at the Slab House today and was pleasantly surprised. Having eaten here quite regularly over the last 2 years,the food was not what we expected. great flavours and beautiful presentation. The Slab House have obviously upped their game. will be returning soon.well done. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Absolutely dreadful. We walked out after waiting for...”
Written on: 09/05/2010
Absolutely dreadful. We walked out after waiting for 1hour and 40 minutes for our main course to arrive. The few customers they had for Sunday lunch (which should be the busiest serving of the week) were, like us all sat wearing coats because it was freezing cold. After we decided we would wait no longer we asked to settle our drinks bill and were told by a stroppy, dishevelled barman that our wait was 'within acceptable limits' maybe their limits - certainly not ours. A very poor... (read more)
★★★★★
“I visited the Slab House Inn for the first time during...”
Written on: 04/04/2010
I visited the Slab House Inn for the first time during the easter bank holiday weekend. I found the atmosphere lively and friendly, and thought my main course choice of chicken wrapped in pancetta ham was delicious and cooked to perfection. I will definitly be visiting again soon. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Very poor menu that was nothing like the extensive one...”
Written on: 08/03/2010
Very poor menu that was nothing like the extensive one promised on the web site. Although the web site is now "under construction" if you go to http://www.slabhouseinn.co.uk/menu.htm, it's still visile. Our first wine choice was out of stock. The beef pie and ale pie appeared to be from a catering pack, not home made. It was dry, tough and served with ready mix gravy. The vegetables looked nice but were tasteless. No interest in our politely made complaint. Some decorations seemed to be... (read more)
★★★★★
“We went to the Slabhouse Inn on Valentines day so I...”
Written on: 05/03/2010
We went to the Slabhouse Inn on Valentines day so I was a bit concerned it may be busy. We did not have to wait long for food and there was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Staff were very helpful. The food was fabulous! I had the pork and my partner had chicken. Both meals were cooked beautifully. I was especially pleased to see that many of the ingredients were sourced locally. I also overheard another diner asking about vegetables and being told that unfortunately the veg requested was... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Two hours for two courses! ”
Written on: 21/02/2010
Two hours for two courses!
The menu heading does warn that everthing is cooked to order but two of our group had steak & ale pie, another a vegetarian bake which are obviously pre-prepared so it was only a steak that had to be freshly prepared.
Overall the quality of the food was good but the vegetables were overcooked & overloaded with cinnamon.
Deserts are expensive; £5+ for icecream & why serve a very average cheddar when they are surrounded by producers of the very best examples of a...
(read more)
★★★★★
“we ate at the slab house over the weekend and...”
Written on: 16/02/2010
we ate at the slab house over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it! we had fillet steak cooked perfectly and very delicious duck, the service was second to none, will definately reccomend! (read more)
★★★★★
“We have visited the Slab House many times, sometimes...”
Written on: 06/02/2010
We have visited the Slab House many times, sometimes for a special celebration and have never been disappointed. Having read the reviews we were a bit worried but no need!! The menu was really varied with at least 8 different types of potatoes on offer and everyone thought the food we chose delicious and definitely value for money.The staff were very friendly and helpful,explaining the menu to us when asked. I would definitely visit again and recommend it to anyone. (read more)
★★★★★
“we are planning for a large family meal this year so...”
Written on: 20/01/2010
we are planning for a large family meal this year so wanted to check out some local places before booking. we heard some good things about the slab house so checked online aswell, the reviews were not great but we like to judge places for ourselves so we booked a table. we had a wonderful evening, the service and food were both fantastic! im not sure if the previous posters even went to the same place we did! we were greeted by friendly staff on arrival who showed us to our table, took a... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Oh dear, Staff unhelpful, food abysmal. I had heard...”
Written on: 22/12/2009
Oh dear, Staff unhelpful, food abysmal. I had heard that a TV chef owned this restaraunt. Well if he does, has he any idea how bad things are?
Never again!
(read more)
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Showing 21 - 30 of 58 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Disappointing, lacking in choice and rude. It was...”
Written on: 15/12/2009
Disappointing, lacking in choice and rude. It was disapointing that the Guiness had all been used up (granted this is not the worst of their problems), that 3 of the 4 roast options were missing by 1.15 pm suggests poor management, and to answer a civil question with "there's no need to get funny wth me" is simply rude. I can think of no other pub that fails on so many levels. A virgin reviewer who has eaten here previously I am driven to comment upon this occasion as it was so... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“We recently booked a 1 o'clock table for eight people...”
Written on: 15/12/2009
We recently booked a 1 o'clock table for eight people for Sunday lunch at the Slab House to celebrate my wife's birthday. When we arrived we were shown to our table and asked for our drinks order. The first drink requested was a pint of guinness. The waiter said they had none! Of the other drinks ordered one was incorrect and another failed to arrive at all. There was only two menues supplied for a table of eight, and after some 20-25 minutes nobody had come to take our order. We eventualy... (read more)
★★★★★
“I am a regular at The Slab House Inn and was in on...”
Written on: 14/12/2009
I am a regular at The Slab House Inn and was in on sunday lunch and had a fantastic meal, small minded people that come in looking for problem clearly are never going to be completly happy, front of house managment staff that served me are far from the last discription, They know how to treat people and can never do enough to make sure things go smothly and that everything is as we require.
Guiness running out is far from the end of the world, and i remember where you were sat as i was on a...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“We booked a table for 8 for Sunday lunch, Arrived at...”
Written on: 14/12/2009
We booked a table for 8 for Sunday lunch, Arrived at 12 55 for 1pm. First problem, no Guinness! We were seated, and told more menus would be brought, as only 2 on the table. 15 minutes later grumpy waitress arrived minus extra menus. We were promptly told the Turkey had run out, as had the lamb and they only had a very little beef left! This was a Sunday lunchtime! How on earth can you not have meat left at 1pm on a Sunday? We walked out,and phoned another local pub, who welcomed us,pushed 2... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“The Slabhouse is now living on a legend, the menu is...”
Written on: 05/10/2009
The Slabhouse is now living on a legend, the menu is uninteresting, overpriced and very poorly presented with excessive spelling errors.
Three of the drinks we ordered were not available even though the pumps were lit ! The food was "pub food at restaurant prices" the staff appeared to lack any formal training, the premises were cold and half empty of patrons on a Saturday night, I wonder why ?
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“For a restaurant that has been bought by a "celebrity...”
Written on: 04/10/2009
For a restaurant that has been bought by a "celebrity chef" its a JOKE. We went with friends to celebrate a 30th birthday, they must have been so disappointed by what WAS a GOOD,RESEASONABLY PRICED restaurant is now an OVERPRICED JOKE. I would NEVER recommend Slab house to anyone ever.
THE STAFF LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE AT A WAKE.
THE SERVICE WAS VERY SLOW (HATE TO THINK HOW THEY COPE WHEN THEIR BUSY).
THE FOOD WAS OVERPRICED PUB GRAB.
IT APPEARS TO HAVE LOWERED THE FOOD STANDARDS AND...
(read more)
★★★★★
“For many years now we have been in the habit of...”
Written on: 03/10/2009
For many years now we have been in the habit of holidaying in the area. Every year we have made several visits to the Slab House. This year we ate there three times and would have gone more if they had been open. There were four adults in our party and we did not have one bad meal. Our only disappointment was the fact that for some reason they were not open more evenings. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“We visited the The Slab House Inn 6 months ago for a...”
Written on: 26/09/2009 by marky381 (1 review written)
We visited the The Slab House Inn 6 months ago for a lunch time drink and were very impressed by the menu. We recently returned to sample said menu only to find it had been replaced by an A4 sheet of paper with numerous spelling mistakes. Further more the extensive wine menu which we had previously been impressed by had been replaced by a flimsey sheet containing a very small selection of wine. We will most certainly not be returning. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“The Slab House Inn, Wells - Very expensive for what...”
Written on: 20/09/2009
The Slab House Inn, Wells - Very expensive for what you get. Not worth visiting. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Not the standard we've come to expect from the Slab...”
Written on: 23/08/2009
Not the standard we've come to expect from the Slab House restaurant. We waited an extraordinarily long time but were prepared to wait for a decent meal. When it arrived the steaks were burnt/cremated, the chips hard and the vegetables ordinary. Again we had to wait for dessert and the Mocha Mud Pie, which I believe should be served cold, was a strange mixture of hot & cold. All very disappointing. (read more)
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Showing 31 - 40 of 58 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“The Slab House Inn is supposedly a meat specialist...”
Written on: 29/06/2009
The Slab House Inn is supposedly a meat specialist restaurant on the Mendips. Don't be fooled by the website. - it looks chic but the restaurant isn't - its a pub that sells food. Whats more its a pub stuck in the 80s.
What a real disappointment. Wells has much better restaurants - Wookey Hole Inn and Goodfellows to name but two.
(read more)
★★★★★
“The welcome we got from the slab house inn, when we...”
Written on: 27/05/2009 by philip hill (1 review written)
The welcome we got from the slab house inn, when we first arrived was very good we were greeted by people who know what they were doing .
The food was of the best order hot, well cooked presented nicely with a good size portion. The menu was good and easy to read and follow .
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Booked The Slab House Inn mainly on the basis of the...”
Written on: 20/12/2008
Booked The Slab House Inn mainly on the basis of the Brian Turner association. In my opinion, this is a Pub serving basic pub food. Chips, Jacket or mash with every meal. Fine if that's what you want but at an average main course price of £14-20 its way over the top.
After complaining a staff member came and took all our food off the bill without blinking an eyelid. Seemed like something he does on a regular basis.
Unless you want pub grub at London Restaurant prices I would not...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Flat tasting beer, Grilled fish that looked as if it...”
Written on: 17/08/2008 by george orwell99
Flat tasting beer, Grilled fish that looked as if it had been boiled, in a bland sauce, containing seemingly hundreds of bones, served with overcooked tasteless vegetables and apparently boil in the bag rice. I found this meal very disappointing.
I have nothing good to say about the food as I felt it was poor and overpriced. Pub itself was pleasant.
(read more)
★★★★★
“I don't know if we were lucky or whether the owners...”
Written on: 28/06/2008
I don't know if we were lucky or whether the owners have read previous reviews but we had a very good evening, the food was fresh and hot and there was plenty of it. All the staff were very pleasant and one waiter has to come back three times to take our order for dessert as we were all chatting so much. We went with friends who had been before and said they were always very impressed and we were too. I would certainly go back without any hesitation. We eat out fairly regularly and... (read more)
★★★★★
“Sunday lunch at The Slab House Inn is good value for...”
Written on: 19/04/2008 by grogan m
Sunday lunch at The Slab House Inn is good value for money at 8 per head. I think the problem with the previous complaints is that they have overly ambitious expectations and would not be happy if they were served by the Queen butler at Buckingham Palace. I thought the service was brilliant and the food cosy, warm and hearty. Thanks! I'll be coming again! (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“Decided to give the place another try since hearing a...”
Written on: 27/03/2008 by tilgateforest (1 review written)
Decided to give the place another try since hearing a celebrity chef had taken over. As far as I can tell he hasnt actually had any input as to the menu, general standards or interior. Will never give it another go. I'm still waiting for replies to my complaints. I get the opportunity to recommend places to eat through my business, this is one in the area I will certainly advise to avoid. (read more)
360626_Grogan M's Response to tilgateforest's Review
Written on: 19/04/2008
I disagree with this review because I had a brilliant service and food was extremely appetising.
Reply to this comment
☆☆☆☆☆
“We were very excited to book lunch with our two...”
Written on: 26/03/2008 by Enniscrone (1 review written)
We were very excited to book lunch with our two children as a celebrity chef once owned it and we felt his reputation would mean a very good meal.
At 12.45pm we arrived and were taken to our table.
We ordered some water and found the glasses stained by the dishwasher but we just wiped them with our napkins.
I was sitting next to the wall and was surprised to see stains on the wall beside me.
Still, we were looking forward to our meal. One of my sons ordered a starter and it finally arrived at...
(read more)
★★★★☆
“We had good service and was asked if everything was ok...”
Written on: 01/03/2008 by Captain Brann (1 review written)
We had good service and was asked if everything was ok during the meal. It was just a little more than we had planned on paying, and we could not see the menu on line before we went. we wanted to view the website but it had no info on it other than contact info. (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Had heard some good reports but would be very...”
Written on: 10/02/2008 by rayspecials (1 review written)
Had heard some good reports but would be very surprised if our experience was a one off. A glorified 'greasy spoon' springs to mind as an apt description but that may not be fair on 'greasy spoons'. Quite obviously set up to be a money making machine and good luck to whoever with that..............it follows they will be taking no more money from me which as I live in the area is a pity. (read more)
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Showing 41 - 50 of 58 Reviews
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As rated by real users
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1. The Slab House Inn, Wells
58 reviews read latest review -
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Ihatereviewers's Comment
Written on: 12/03/2012
Why would you wait that long? come on be HONEST!