The Royal Oak - Newark and Sherwood

We came in for the pie and pint night, before we had even gotten our drinks we were passed between two members of staff. We asked to see a menu and were told that’s fine as they only had one other table. When I enquired about a vegetarian option for the deal I was told there wasn’t one and so I asked for a normal menu. We then proceeded to find our own seats as the bar man had to serve someone else. That’s all fine. We went to sit at a table in the bar and then proceeded to order and pay at the bar before the food got here. The food came quickly, with a young girl walking around the bar asking everyone if the food was for them before she got to us (we at this point were the only people eating) the food came and looked fine, the pie from a local vendor I was told was lovely. However I had ordered the veggie burger and it was as if I was chewing cardboard. I would have gladly told a member of staff but not once did anyone come to our table to check on us throughout the whole meal. I ended up leaving the burger but ate the chips that came with it. I understand vegetarian food is hard and I would not have minded or even reviewed if a member of staff had come and checked on our table. When we were leaving the poor bar man was once again on his own as another member of staff was stood at the bar eating and the others looked to be in a meeting. I do hope this doesn’t become a pattern, I am more than willing to come back once the staff have had sufficient training.

We stuck our head in as been told it it’s new management company and there was music. Knowing the history of this venue of late and the farcical that’s been running we was pleasantly surprised. Frankie the new landlord was inviting, encouraging and very welcoming for a man that stands at 6ft plus !! What an atmosphere that’s all we can say as it’s been lacking this for a long time ! So we are converted and will be returning as this is what a pub a should be

The pub looks great (although in fairness it looked ok before! and the ‘dining room’ is now more of a cosy comfortable room with a piano, armchairs and a settee but sadly this cuts down on the dining tables and the few that are left are mostly wedged in so that once you’re in, you won’t be moving. Except you have to struggle back up again because the table service has gone and you now have to order and pay for your food at the bar. I really hate paying for my food before I’ve even tasted it and when there’s a group of you out for a meal it’s much easier to have a tab and settle up at the end of the meal Instead of having to squeeze in and out from the table to get another drink. We went with vegan friends who were keen to try the menu however they were distinctly underwhelmed by the vegan sausage and mash (dry sausage and vegan burger (also dry and they felt the vegan offerings were uninspiring, merely copying the meat versions. It’s a small menu and quite odd, with a ‘sharing plate’ that consists of a sausage roll and a piece of cheese with chutney.. a vegan club sandwich and a fish goujon sandwich. Great for a lunchtime menu but not the sort of ‘meal’ I want on a ‘night out’! And the pub isn’t open at lunchtimes so the menu was confusing. My husband had the pie with chips. The pie looked delicious and tasted good but the chips looked as if they’d been soaked in engine oil for days they were so dark they were virtually black. IMO chips should be golden, and having seen them on other peoples plates this put me off completely. The menu would have to improve dramatically before I’m tempted back, it’s almost as if they don’t really want to be serving food which is possibly why the dining tables have been taken out. It is supposed to be village community pub but it just felt like it was trying too hard to be a trendy town centre bar.

We walk miles around the area of Collingham as we live locally and often find ourselves close by. After a ten mile stroll we were desperately in need of a sit down and a drink to prepare for the return journey. The pub is very comfortable, clean, tidy and welcoming. Had we not eaten earlier we would certainly have sampled the food on offer. Instead, we had a couple of drinks, relaxed and enjoyed the rest stop. Lovely pub and we'll return for lunch.

The food was good and reasonably priced but the seating in the restaurant area was a joke. Most of the tables were beer barrels with stools which meant you had to straddle the barrel to get close to your food. There wasn't enough room to fit our plates and drinks on and the waitress looked embarrassed when trying to put the food down. There's plenty of room to put proper tables in. Barrels are ok for just drinks and crisps but not for a sit down meal.