Now known as Jack’s Patch Garden Centre this review relates to The Willow Tree restaurant within the store in Kirton Lindsey.
We had previously stopped for coffee at The Willow Tree restaurant a couple of weeks before and decided that we would try their lunch menu on Friday as it seemed quite interesting and very comprehensive.
We arrived at 12.15 and were quickly shown to our table (we then quietly swapped tables as the wicker bucket chairs were too low for me – I preferred a proper chair). Our order was taken and my wife opted for the chicken club sandwich. I went for the open steak sandwich, both with chips.
We then sat patiently waiting. The restaurant was only half full and there were plenty of empty tables. Even so it took over 50 minutes for our meals to arrive, a ploy I suspect to encourage you to order more tea which was cold by the time the meal was served. The portion sizes were very generous which I can’t fault but my wife said that although the bacon in her club was lovely the chicken was a little dry. One portion of chips would have done for both of us so I’m afraid a fair few were wasted.
Clearly the kitchen can’t cope with preparing the array of meals on the menu. Perhaps simplifying it would be a better bet. During our waiting time the couple at the next table were overheard to say that if their meals didn’t arrive soon, they would leave. The lady asked a member of the waiting staff if there was a problem and was told there was a back-up in the kitchen. Another table also asked where their meals were having waited just as long as us.
My pet hate in any restaurant is seeing someone who ordered after you receive their meal first. This happened in reverse for us and we were served before the couple that entered before us (theirs arrived about 5 minutes later). It was also before another couple who were clearly already waiting when we arrived.
Remember I said that the restaurant was half full? Well it seems to be policy to tell new arrivals that there is a long wait for food and that they should come back in 20 minutes. This happened at least 3 times by my reckoning even though there were plenty of tables free. Even so I’m not sure I would wait if I knew it was to be 50 minutes. It was clear that the kitchen couldn’t cope with a half-full room, so I would be interested to see what happened if every table was occupied.
I’m hoping that we pitched up on a ‘bad day’ and that maybe some kitchen staff were off sick and that normal service is better. I can live in hope but it wasn’t the greatest experience.
We are debating whether to try again another time if only for the Moules Mariniere!
The Willoughton Wanderer 
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