The King Alfred Inn

We ate here for the 3rd time in a month this eve (17 June 2010). On our first visit the food was good and waitress polite, but their lack of staffing meant long waits and sloppy service. I felt it disappointing enough to give feedback and in response was given a voucher for another visit . (Reasons given were staff shortages and the owner was very apologetic). Our second visit was fine - food excellent. Third visit - a struggle to get menus, prompt service and the food was not worth the prices. (The 'crab mornay' was a crab sauce and nothing more. The strawberry cheescake was just a fool on top of some badly crushed biccies in a drinking glass).

Despite my comments and the pubs inconsistent food, we return there as the pub itself is in a beauitful position; has lovely rooms inside and a 1st floor garden overlooking the river. When the food is good it is delicious and huge portions. Also we can see they are a young'ish family who are really trying to do things the 'right' way - local drinks and 'proper' food. Let's hope things only get better.
TIP: The chips are the best anywhere!

I would be fascinated to be able to read Kittenmae's comments. I ate at the King Alfred for the first time 3 days ago (Sat 6 Feb 2010), and am still recovering from the food poisoning they gave me (didn't eat anywhere else that day). We were repeatedly told that there would be a wait because Cook was off ill and they were short staffed, but even relief staff should have food handling training. The barlady/waitress put our cutlery down holding the business ends rather than the handles, and that should have alerted us (also the dirty toilets, but that's another matter). I see that the pub only got 2 out of 5 stars on their recent Somerset Foodscores inspection (even Burger King got 5) so I would challenge the Landlady to listen to her conscience before she gets this review removed. If this website is genuinely designed to inform customers, I hope you will leave this in to save others what I am going through.

A firm favourite of ours as the food is of a consistantlty high standard It is served quickly and there is lots of it. Even better they don't use ready cooked things with lots of additives as they make their own stock etc A lot of the food is localy sourced. The drinks are good and there is a very friendly atmosphere They often have live music on a Sunday which is very good. Booking is needed if you are eating on a night time as it fills up fast. I think they also have rooms but as I live in the next village I havn't used these. I would reccomend this and indeed have just booked for a meal for tomorrow night!