April 08. Holkham, North Norfolk.
OK, so it was a cold April day and the rain was lashing down, but that was no excuse for the
really non-existent welcome Mrs G and I received when dropping into the Victoria Inn for lunch. Now this is one of those places people say 'you really must try, the food is very good'. Well, I don't care what they say, we couldn't have been made to feel less welcome.
There were more staff around than customers, which was even more reason why the way we were initially ignored by three chatting bar staff was so surprising for this supposedly decent pub and restaurant. Once we finally got some attention, we were made to feel pretty stupid for not managing to find the lunchtime bar menu, which happened to be on a chalkboard above the bar - around the corner. Well excuse us for not bringing a periscope!!
On trying to order we were told the meagre choice of five dishes was cut down to four - despite still being on the elusive chalkboard. Then, having ordered, we were told we couldn't put drinks and food on a credit card tab, but would have to pay for everything separately. Hardly encouraging us to stay for dessert or coffees, or even extra drinks, were they?
Oh, and to make things even more uncomfortable we were told we weren't able to sit in the lovely light lounge area of the same bar while waiting for the lunch to arrive. Did we not talk with a posh enough accent, what was up with these guys? This is appalling.
Fair play, once the food did arrive it was pretty decent, but nothing special for the price - but I'm afraid the whole episode had been soured by all that had gone on before.
As we left (without dessert or coffee, of course), we braved the elements and wandered just 50 yards down the road to find a far more welcoming coffee shop/mini restaurant (part of the Holkham Estate, sadly can't recall the name) which offered not only a welcoming smile, but terrific homemade carrot cake and posh coffees. Surveying the much more expansive menu and savouring the smell of kedgeree and french onion soup, we realised this would have made a far better venue for our lunch - and far better value too.
Sorry Victoria Inn, I know you must have more London Hoorays than you can cater for all Summer, but you've really got to do better than this off-peak! 2/10
Nearby Coffee Shop, on the other hand, 7/10
