My hobbies are cooking, writing, reading, the Internet in general, playing computer games, and vario...
My hobbies are cooking, writing, reading, the Internet in general, playing computer games, and various other stuff. I travel quite a lot too. Some of my reviews are also on my website: http://www.britishexpat.com and adapted for Ciao, or vice versa.
Member since:20.01.2001
Reviews:40
Members who trust:45
We chose this hotel because its website boasted of its "superb" carvery and extensive menu of home-made meals. The boast was an empty one as we weren't impressed.
It was one of these places where complacency reigns because "everyone else has liked it and no one has ever complained before". Thus the fact that the undiscerning had happily scoffed their mediocre offerings led the management to believe they were providing something good.
To be fair, the accommodation, whilst cramped, was OK for the price (currently £40 per night) - despite the tired rags which served as towels. More up-market places in the area charge... a heck of a lot more. The room was very small but it was clean, so for the money we have no problems on that score.
The food, though, left a lot to be desired. Much of the disappointment was created by the great build-up they gave themselves. We thought we were in for a treat. Not so. Dave had the steak, mushroom and ale pie and it met expectations. The flavour and the quality of meat was excellent. It was very nice indeed.
I made the mistake of ordering their fisherman's pie. At £8.50 I expected it would be good. It was actually one of the worst fish pies I've ever had. The sauce was nasty. There's no other adjective to describe it. It was watery and the sauce had "split" resulting in a kind of grainy texture. Apart from the sauce, the filling of the pie appeared to contain off-cuts of fish like chunks of brown bits that most people would throw away. Too much salmon (a touch of pseudo luxury?) gave it an over-rich flavour although the pieces were so tiny that again you could only think they'd used off-cuts, and nasty little bits of rubbery processed prawns.
A decent fish pie, in my view, should contain cod or haddock, or possibly hake or some other white fish and maybe a bit of smoked fish. This pie didn't pass muster at all. And the burnt potato on top didn't help matters.
Isn't it funny? When people ask: "How was the meal?" they only ask in full expectation of a reply saying how lovely it was. When you tell them the truth, or suggest how it could be better, they get all defensive and say how no-one else has ever said anything.
Since we'd booked bed and breakfast, I decided to take the camera down to the dining room the following morning for breakfast. (Rare event that, getting me active before mid-day.) We hoped that it would be good and that the vile fish pie had been a one-off, but again it was a disappointment.
Apart from the dreadful service - we had to ask for almost everything individually: "Toast please? Butter?" - the meal itself was stingy as well as being comprised of low quality food.
One rasher of very salty bacon One cheap and nasty sausage Some sliced fried economy mushrooms One fried egg - no choice about how the eggs should be done And some beans (See photo)
The beans were OK.
And there was toast (eventually, after a few reminders to the waiting staff). The toast... was not.
All in all, it was a friendly place and clean, we just wouldn't recommend eating there.
However, here are the details just in case you want to visit.
The Fortescue Arms Woolacombe Station Road Woolacombe Devon EX34 7HQ Tel: 01271 870537
Pictures of Fortescue Arms, Woolacombe
Exterior view of The Fortescue Arms
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It's great when you get a fantastic fish pie but really horrible when you don't! My commiserations.
RICHADA 20.09.2007 18:46
Oh well, at least the beans were OK! Many years ago I remember staying in theRoyal and Fortescue in Barnstable, by the soundof things that was and probably still is a very different kettle of fish....pardon the poor pun, I still had the fish pie in mind.........Richard.
Mitsudan 12.09.2007 20:03
The food sounds very disappointing; a properly made fish pie with fresh ingredients is a superb dish. Very good review. David
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