Acanthus Restaurant at Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa

Review summary

1. S

   Sarah

   Berkshire

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Booked table for 815 already had ordered drink from bar Took 20mins to get menu then another 20mins to take order Starters arrived at 920pm then main course at 950pm Sitting in a draft Could not get staff attention no apologies very poor service for the price you pay Several couples arrived after and appeared to get their food first and left before we had even got out main course Food when arrived was lovely Very disappointed if they knew was going to busy should staff to address this Loads of staff about but some seemed to be doing nothing
   

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2. T

   Tony

   Berkshire

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   A valentines dinner that was tragically disappointing. The food was very poor with a 2 hour wait just for our main course from our booking time of 19.30hrs. Food was poor quality where I would suggest the Chefs are untrained. The main meals were presented over cooked and dry to the extent we sent them back without even trying them. It was obvious when they were replaced, the Fish pie was the same base with a fresh mash on top, as it was in the same dish with burnt edges and fresh mash - obvious mistake. The Beef Wellington shockingly huge amounts of Puff pastry so thick and undercooked. We did not pay for our meal and left the restaurant. The only excuse we were given was that they were busy with 110 covers. It was valentines night and they new this but were ill prepared. Many other diners waited and tried to make the best of it. The general manager on duty was of no use or avoided any form of customer service.
   

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3. T

   Tonia

   Berkshire

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   We had a lovely stay at the Berystede hotel, we had to upgrade our room as the original twin was small dark and damp! But the deluxe double was lovely and very comfortable! The spa was very nice and our treatments were excellent, although the outside area near the hydro pool could use some attention! The bar was nice but a bit of music would have made a better atmosphere! Unfortunately the food wasn’t great! We had pate to start and there was a layer of fat sitting on top which was horrid, the pate itself was freezing cold and very rich with overpowering orange taste, yuck! I had lasagna for mains and it was dry and burnt on top. Overall our stay was nice and I would go back but the food was Very disappointing!
   

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4. J

   Jane

   Bath

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 28, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   Very disappointing Restaurant was empty - hotel did not appear to know about our booking Cream tea was nice but ambience non existent. Wouldn't bother to go again
   

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5. R

   Ruth

   Buckinghamshire

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 27, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Lovely meal at the hotel. Great cocktails before hand and lovely food. Friendly staff who were attentive.
   

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6. C

   Christine

   Buckinghamshire

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on December 24, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Food was very good, it was a set menu and good value. Staff very helpful
   

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7. H

   Heidi

   London

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 7, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We were disappointed with the very bland Indian food. However, the staff worked hard on a very busy night - drinks were slow coming but food was fast out. We may have enjoyed a different meal type more.
   

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8. A

   Anna

   VIP

   London

   10 reviews

   4.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on December 1, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   A good afternoon tea. The food was great and the staff were really friendly and accommodating. The room it was in was a little soulless, it could do with modernisation and seeing as it was a festive afternoon tea, they could have decorated and leaned into the festive time of the year a lot more.
   

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9. D

   David

   Surrey

   11 reviews

   5.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on November 30, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Bar and restaurant are nicely done, food was excellent but could probably do with a few more gluten free options. Overall excellent
   

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10. C

    Catherine

    Buckinghamshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    We had a lovely meal - I had smoked haddock and prawn pie, and my other half had pork belly. He was very pleased with his and I enjoyed mine. The only small thing was I only had 3 small-ish prawns in the whole dish, but I realise it could be a seasonal thing. We had very decent portions for dessert too - chocolate torte and sticky toffee pudding. The restaurant environment was nice. A good level of chatter/hubbub and no music blaring which we appreciated. It meant we could have a conversation easily. It still felt private enough though, even though we were in the middle of the room! We couldn't hear anyone else's conversations clearly, so good acoustics and atmosphere!
    

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