Porterhouse - Harrogate

We booked the Porterhouse Restaurant based on the photos on TripAdviser BUT we were extremely disappointed when we arrived at the restaurant to be told that it is no longer a Steakhouse and has not been a Steakhouse for 2 years!! We however decided to stay for dinner and my husband was pleasantly surprised by the steak. It was tender and cooked to his specification. I had the Beef, ale and mushroom pie which was a bit disappointing. The pastry was very soggy, the broccoli was so overcooked it was basically mush and the new potatoes were very overcooked. One plus was that the cutlery was presented in a sealed packet although the condiments were what we would have had on the table pre-covid. I did see a waitress wiping down the chairs and just changed the table cloth but the condiments were not wiped down If we had a choice, we would not eat here again.

We arrived yesterday for a two night stay, dinner, bed and breakfast deal with travelzoo booked for my birthday. Hotel room really nice but the restaurant service and food is really bad. On arrival at 8.45pm, we, along with most of the restaurant were kept waiting at every step of the service. We booked the deal after reviewing the hotel and restaurant on their website. The menu advertised is not the menu you receive, the advertised menu having a much greater choice of food and photos of steak not as it is presented ie on a board. This I would think is very misleading to potential customers. My husbands meal was total disaster. Starter of crispy whitebait was soggy, far from crisp, which we informed the staff. After finally being served our main course at 9.50, my husband received chilli with a portion of rice he could not even put his fork through. He complained and it was replaced with what must have been a dessert spoon of rice. In the short time it took to return it, I would guess they have just broke through the hard rice on his plate and scooped out the middle, the chill was also not piping hot. At this point most of the customers in the restaurant were making comments as being able to ‘socialise’ with each other as they were having to wait so long to be served food, totally not acceptable. We then complained to the duty manager in the restaurant and then to reception who took down all the details of the complaint and said they would pass it to the manager today. I had sirloin steak and chips which was ok but not brilliant and not presented well. They offered a free glass of wine each, which I said this was not good enough and not the compensation we should be receiving. They said this was just a gesture and the matter would be sorted out today. I informed them it was so bad we would not be eating in the restaurant tonight to experience this again. I have attended the reception this morning to ask for an update on my complaint. I was told there was no manager available to speak to and we were on a 3rd party booking which was paid for. I pointed out that regardless of it being a 3rd party booking or direct with the hotel, this a complaint about the restaurant. I was offered an e-mail address to make a complaint but I have asked for the hotel to contact the relevant manager and for them to contact me. I am now awaiting a response. We will be eating elsewhere tonight. I’m sure there will be many complaints to the hotel and recorded on tripadvisor after yesterday evening

Visited here on a Thursday night, restaurant was busy and had to wait 15 mins for a table which we didn’t mind. When shown to our table we had to wait ages before our order was taken, they were very understaffed. I ordered steak and my husband had the lamb, both were asked for medium and came more medium well but admittedly both dishes were nice, but on the pricey side. Staff were friendly and did apologise for the wait. Would I return, probably not.

Based on the online menu we booked this restaurant for a Birthday dinner. When we arrived we were given a very limited menu where you can choose between having a two or three course. Nothing in terms of choice as we’ve seen online. Zero atmosphere very stiff and quiet. Staff apologised about the menu and we decided to leave, hoping to find somewhere else 8pm on a Saturday night. The Porterhouse is not a steakhouse!!

These are the words uttered by the front desk when we entered the restaurant. Not surprising 6.15 on a Saturday evening and the restaurant was empty. Like many other reviewers we were on the Groupon deal. Thought the server was friendly. The cab sav was very good. Thought the sirloin steaks were OK but nothing special. The thin fries very disappointing. Surely they could source better chips. Place lacked atmosphere even when a few other tables were occupied. Fair to say there are many better restaurants nearby if staying at this hotel.