Parker's Tavern

Review summary

1. L

   Lucinda

   Cambridge

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   We booked for the Boxing Day Brunch. Upon arrival we sat down in the middle of the restaurant and the ambience was wonderful, the starters arrived and my daughters Eggs Royale was not very warm but we decided to not say anything and continue to eat as the food was flavoursome. Sadly the starters were going to be the only course that was worth having and we should have stopped at that. When the mains came out my daughter started to eat when she found some plastic netting (the type you find on a fruit net) in the middle of her gratin pie and my stepson who had the same dish discovered his food was stone cold. I had the roast beef which was also stone cold, I explained this all to the waiting staff who immediately took the gratin pies away and made two new ones but it wasn’t great and meant that two of the party had eaten their food before the other two had. When desserts came out we discovered the bread and butter puddings also weren’t hot. I’m not sure what was happening in the kitchen today but having worked in hospitality for the last 30 years in some super successful restaurants I was very disappointed, to me it seems they had a problem on their pass and the food was being put together in quite a haphazard way. Not what you expect when paying £65 a head and actually made me wonder if this was standard food service with the new head chef. The FOH team were wonderful and actually took two glasses of wine off the bill for the inconvenience (they should have actually taken at least one of the gratin pies off in my opinion) but I have to say I won’t be in a hurry to return and certainly will be advising any friends or colleagues to try other establishments in Cambridge and NOT Parkers Tavern.
   

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2. L

   Lee

   Liverpool

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Service was ok, if a little slow. Portion size was shocking. I had trout to start, but there was minimal trout. I had duck for the main course, nice but, when I commented to the the waiter that there was hardly any duck, he commented ‘the duck is scarce’. He was right.
   

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3. S

   Susannah

   VIP

   London

   3 reviews

   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Normally a fan of this place, but they were understaffed and no one appeared to be in charge. Left waiting by the door for ages, so we went and found a table in the bar. Drinks took more than 20 minutes to arrive. Waited patiently to be seated at our table - ignored by most of the staff who didn’t even do the ‘some one will be with you in a minute’ thing - they just hurried past. Glasses for water turned up. Had to repeatedly ask for the water to go in them! Very limited vegetarian options. Food was good when it finally arrived. The servers were pleasant but the lack of staff was painfully obvious - not their fault. For the price you pay here, you expect seamless service. That was not our experience at all.
   

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4. L

   Leanne

   Cambridge

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Service was reasonably ok, we were offered water for the table but failed to offer tap water so £7 a bottle was very steep! Our Prosecco was not cold so had to wait an age for it to chill down in the ice bucket! The steak for the sharing board was almost blue, medium was asked for. completely bewildered that there was no draft beer in an establishment such as this £8.50 per bottle of beer was extortionate will not be returning 
   

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5. N

   Nick

   Cambridge

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   Reviewed on trip advisor. Overpriced and average. Left feeling let down
   

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6. a

   anthony

   Cambridge

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

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

   Turkey was tasteless and came in 3 round prices,certainly not carved off a joint. Stuffing was tasteless.Our sons Venison meal was a small portion, more like a starter than a main meal.Cannot understand why bottles of rose wine are so expensive.
   

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7. C

   Candy

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   First time visiting Parker’s Tavern and we’ll definitely be back. The food was cooked exquisitely and was incredibly flavoursome. The staff were attentive and friendly and there was a lively atmosphere but with no impact on the acoustics. A jazz band in the bar topped off what was a wonderful evening.
   

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8. S

   Sunil

   London

   58 reviews

   5.0

   58 reviews

   Dined on December 19, 2024

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

   This was a special event in the Library part of the bar/restaurant which was decorated for Xmas with wreaths in the window & white tablecloths 🎄 This was the restaurant hosting Cong Cong Bo (Amphora) for her "Festive Wines for Christmas" event..........hoping they allow her to host events etc regularly ☺️ The space is not musty or dusty for a library BUT it was too dark to really see the wines. Also, when the door opens to the bar, the noise invades the space and makes it hard to hear the speaker..........I was nearest the door too 😞 The restaurant confirmed they could accommodate my dietary requirements well in advance for the canapé pairing; highlights were the tiddly venison cottage pie, the cod cheek 😋 & the BLUE cheese I was shocked I almost liked 🤯 Obv the wines were excellent, wouldn't expect anything less of Cong!!
   

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9. A

   Anatolii

   Cambridge

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 19, 2024

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

   I was visiting Christmas wine tasting in the Parker's Tavern. I really liked wines selected by Cong Cong Bo and all wines were presented very knowledgeable and in joyful way. The Library is absolutely great place to have such tastings, and I would like to see them there more often. Nibble presented with the wine were pretty good and paired nice with the wine However, booking system is a pain and how it is possible to not be able to take payments online? I also stayed in the main bar for another drink, but half of the menu of signature cocktail were unavailable. I tried one cocktail which was available, and it was very, very average. I hope wine which were presented today will be available on the wine list soon.
   

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10. A

    Andy

    Cambridge

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 17, 2024

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

    Absolutely awful!!!! I took our management team out for a Christmas 'treat' and felt nothing but embarrassment inflicted by the experience! My wife joined us slightly later and as we know historically the unnecessary delay there ALWAYS is in delivery of drinks I ordered her a cocktail as she got into her taxi in Horningsea. My wife travelled in the rush our joined us and the drink finally arrived for her 20 minutes after her arrival!!!??? The food was shocking, cottage pie did not describe the solid patty that was delivered up!!!! The staff were embarrassed by the offering and a discount was offered but you know what this is not what we wanted. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that a well presented tasty meal and efficient service could be expected particularly given the promotion of the venue rather than the money grabbing experience we encountered??? Why should these people over-sell and over stretch what can reasonably be delivered in favour of the money grab which is obviously the main priority of the management!!?? Avoid or go at your peril Andy
    

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