Dukeries Lodge - Newark and Sherwood

If a friendly welcome, your custom appreciated, good service and quality food is your thing, avoid this place.. Mr Manning himself serving behind the bar, chatting on his phone while preparing drinks, couldn’t manage a greeting as I stood at the bar, not really a friendly welcome, more an inconvenience in a pub that was barely busy for a Sunday lunchtime service. Ordering a drink, clearly saying no ice, be put ice in the glass, obviously attention and communication skills are not his strength, having also to repeat my drink order. Let’s try food and see if this is any better on the board fish pie, I asked if it’s available, it’s a simple enquiry to make sure it hadn’t ‘Sold Out’ , retrospectively tho with so few customers it might have been unlikely. His response ‘It’s on the board isn’t it’, I might have missed through his sarcasm the ‘Yes it is still available, would you like to order it’ comment.. Usually, I’m used to manners the basic please, thank you .. is there anything else I can get you hospitality usually includes ‘a certain level of Customer Service, may be Mr Manning missed that company training course. You’d think an effort would be made in this establishment, it’s hardly the most salubrious given the competition locally, it’s in desperate need of renovation, out dated and damaged interior decor and the outside equally as poor. May be the food, the fish pie with fries and peas would make up for the initial impressions, being at best a one star rating.. sadly not, presentation : one star, dolloping potato on the top of the dish with no consideration for presentation.. hmm difference between a school canteen and a decent pub restaurant; peas were cold fries cold, fish pie was tasteless, unseasoned, bland and barely tepid.. Clearly food safety, presentation skills and a passion for catering isn’t available here either.. Sadly this isn’t the first experience here and having given the benefit of doubt it’s the last .. at a push a generous one star experience in this pub. Eating out regularly as I do, I based this review on having been in the competition, they are all much better, even the tearooms in the village.. This experience was certainly not pleasant, memorable for all the wrong reasons and definitely an establishment to AVOID.. I feel an urgency in basic training and development is needed, if the standard set by your Manager is so poor and low, then it is definitely rubbing off on everyone there. I shared this review on other platforms hoping discerning other visitors to the area will avoid this pub and choose a competitor where they will be, as a customer appreciated, feel welcome and valued and experience good service and decent food prepared by someone qualified in catering and cares about their creations and presentation.. I avoided spending any more money and left yet again, very disappointed..

Sadly in my view this place is looked dirty and tired now. I think it’s in dire need of some TLC. The carpets leading in and out of the kitchen are black with dirt. Similarly with the light fittings and decor, they require a good clean. The food was actually quite average along with the service. I understand it’s cheap and cheerful, however that doesn’t mean it should be dirty!

Food ok but needs work on communication We had our main meal and the kids said they would like a ice cream . This was at 7.50pm but was told kitchen closed but says 9 on menu but notice meals still leaving kitchen until 8.40 . No apologies just kitchen closed.

Visited twice this week as Staying in Centre parks where food and drink prices were very high! On both occasions we received a very friendly welcome, had different meals each time. All were very good and very good value for money. Exterior and interior are a bit in need of refurbishment but very clean and tidy. Great place to go to if you are at Centre parks, only ten minutes away. Will definitely return when we are in the area.

Stayed here for 1 night. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Room was small, smelly and dingy. Bathroom was tiny and in desperate need of renovation. Everything was dated. Wouldn't stay here again.