Reviews of Boat Inn Restaurant & Pub, Chepstow
Review by Julie on 28th January, 2011
Add your review Date visited: 25/12/2010
My husband & I had our Christmas lunch at The Boat, and although we were the only party of 2 there, we didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
The food was fantastic! I had a melon & mixed berry starter, my husband prawns, both were a nice, light, flavoursome starter. There was a nice surprise when we had sorbet in between the starter and main course, which we weren't expecting - in edible brandy snap baskets - delicious! We both went traditional and had turkey for our main. The meat was moist, plenty of it, and all the vegetables cooked to perfection. We were asked if we wanted extra gravy, which came in a cute little gravy boat. (There was a choice of beef, fish, vegetarian as well.)
The desert was to die for? A chocolate torte - light for firm, chocolatey heaven! Hubby had xmas pud, which was I was assured, equally as scrumptious!
The service was great, just the right amount of attention. We enjoyed a lovely, crisp bottle of sauvignon blanc, and hubby finished off the meal with a coffee liquour. I would recommend The Boat to anyone on xmas day and any other day for a fabulous meal and good service!
Review by Paul O on 8th May, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 8 May 2010
Not having visited The Boat for some time we were hugely disappointed with the decline in quality. The starter was well overcooked & attendant potato wedges had seen better times. The Cajun chicken main course was tough, the chips a dark brown, greasy and gave the appearance of having been warmed over several times over the past week. On a positive note the cabernet sauvignon was good & the 1960's music well to my liking.
Sadly management were less than enthusiastic & less than apologetic. As one who writes regularly on cuisine I have no hesitation in recommending this as arguably my worst culinary experience for many a long day. Avoid...
Review by Ali Ferguson on 23rd June, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 23/06/2009
I was really disapointed with the Boat this time - I have eaten there several times and found it pleasant and good value for money, however, this time we had to wait over an hour by which time had to leave without eating due to other appointments. Although I was refunded my money without hesitation I felt extremely sorry for the young inexperienced staff that had to deal with the situation - where was the management - have they no back bone. Well done to the young waitress and barman on the frontline - your in the wrong trade (maybe you'd be appreciated in Iraq)
Review by John Webster on 17th January, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 16/01/2009
A party of 10 of us booked a meal at the Boat Inn for Friday evening, having eaten there two years ago. We cannot praise more highly the service, friendliness and above all the food. We have no hesitation at all in recommending anyone to have a meal there. The choice on the menu was extensive, the presentaion first class and the food itself prepared to perfection. Well done!
Review by Elaine on 15th June, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 15 June 2008
Service was a little slow, but what did it matter we were out for a relaxing Sunday lunch. The food was excellent. We all thoroughly enjoyed our three course lunch, not the normally dried up Sunday lunches. There was a nice atmosphere, the staff were very pleasant and helpful. We would certainly recommend the Boat Inn and hopefully we will return again shortly.
Review by r. jones on 19th March, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 15 feb 208
ive eaten at the boat many times, and ive had an enjoyable meal every single time, but was sadden when i took a group of friends down back in december to find that the place had changed dramatically, the time at which the food arived was at least 45 mins after we orderd it,and wasnt to a very high standard, and it seemed that it wasnt just out table who the waitress was having to say sorry t. altho the satff were friendly and very sorry, you could see the embrassment!!
id decided that we wouldnt be going back there. i shortly discoverd that the pub had changed hands and i took the same groups of friends back to see if there had been any improvement in the place...
we really enjoyed our meal, it was quick, well presented, tasted fantastic a huge improvement from out last trip.the staff as usual were very welcoming, nice to see old faces, and some new. there was a just good vibe from the pub.
im glad to see that the new owners are doing good things with this lovely pub, and look forward to revisting again very soon!!!
i advise all to try it!!!
Review by Jason Edwards on 15th June, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 14/06/07
I am pleased to report a good location for a change. Very helpful, freindly and professional staff who took an interest in making the visit an enjoyable one. Limited Vegetarian choices on the menu but still a lot better than most. Food was excellent and was well served. Left a massive tip for the first time in years as the place exceeded my expectations.
Review by Wendy Wright on 3rd April, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 2/4/07
Had a lovely evening. Food was fantastic . The Head Chef Phil should be given awards for his fish dishes. Lunch is also great have eaten there many times. Great atmosphere, even better now with the no smoking. WEL DONE all.
Review by Mr Ray Holmes on 7th March, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 12 feb 2007
Had an excellent evening at this establishment, food was fantastic - fresh fish always available and the steaks are the finest quality. If you have not tried this fine riverside restaurant - try now you dont know what your missing 100% all round.
Review by jon HOWARD on 3rd November, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 28TH oct 06
fABULOUS PLACE. why have i not been here before. Food excellent, the fish dish I had was out of this world. The staff were efficient, switched on and very friendly. Well done to all. 100%
Review by Mark Morley on 7th November, 2005
Add your review Date visited: 05/11/2005
Abandon hope all ye who enter, well not hope exactly, rather any sense of time and it's value.
The decor and atmosphere are charming and the food was well above average.
So much for the good news, the bad news is that you will need a time machine and a well developed sense of the absurd to fully appreciate the service.
So slow was the table service that it was hard to escape the thought that the staff had come up with an enterprising scam to raise money for the forthcoming annual BBC Children in Need jamboree.
"I'm bored, I'm tired and I just want to go home" yelped one teenage waiter to the manager, cleverly summing up the mood amongst almost all his diners.
Two pretty straight forward courses took nearly an hour to arrive, I know things move slower outide the metropolis but this was stretching time to near impossible limits.
My wife asked the manager about our order, where was it, had it been lost in a time warp, were we unwitting subjects of a Welsh Assembly experiment in time bending?
The startled manager responded in the time honoured way of bored teenagers exhibiting the ghastly symptoms of suffering Saturday night withdrawal symptoms from her X -factor fix...."What order?"
My heart sank as I saw table after table rebelling against the strange time experiment being visited upon them.
Our neighbouring diners had to wait 15 minutes before their bill was calculated, another table had to leave one of their number to confront the weird space time vortex which surrounded the Boat Inn and its staff.
When our time came, we had no option but to work out our own bill by exhibiting the long lost skill of mental arithmentic and reading the specials board..something our waiter had failed to do for when we selected our order and asked if any vegetables came with it...."Not sure" was his blank response.
No wonder he wanted to go home, the stiffest question he faced there was most likely "What level are you on?"...No dastardly blind siders about vegetables or what we might actually be ordering.
All in all, and to be fair, we might have dined at the Boat Inn on one of their off days, but off it most certainly was.
The bar staff appeared older, more switched on and capable of holding more than one thought in their heads at any given time.
The waiting staff were very nice young people but I would be surprised if they didn't need some training to give them the confidence to run a bath, let alone restaurant.
5 out of 10.....
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