The Bush - NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME

Christine got an attitude problem. And she needs to take a chill pill. Giving me grief for ordering 2 pints of Guinness when she’s about to clock off.

We went for a works Christmas meal .. I can't fault it the food was absolutely beautiful brilliant atmosphere brilliant bar staff polite and friendly.

During a trip back to the UK to visit family, my husband and his sisters wanted to actually see the inside of this pub, which they 'd only visited as children, when they were confined to the gardens or the car, with the placatory lemonade and crisps...something quite common, way back in the 50 's! What a pleasant surprise, it was, too. Evidently, established in the 1860 's, it has retained its original wood carving and stained glass around the bar.....a refreshing change from so many modern, characterless places, these days. Having enjoyed a friendly welcome and a quiet drink during the afternoon and having been pleasantly surprised by the menu, we booked a table for dinner the same evening. Again, we were not disappointed. As vegetarians, we were impressed with the options available and all four meals were well cooked, attractively presented and all served at the same time. They served a very good house wine and all prices were extremely reasonable. In fact, the whole experience was far superior to the evening we 'd spent at a hotel in a supposedly more 'upmarket ' area, two nights before. Obviously, it 's unlikely that we will be returning, until perhaps next year, but the rest of the family certainly intends to.

Having worked in hospitality most of my working life I was very disappointed with the service and quality of food. We were put in the back cold room although there was a fire in the corner of the room which was not throwing out much heat at all unless you were sittin on top of it, there was no atmosphere in there like music so we had to ask for this to be turned on, we then received our food which some of them were cold or just warm as they were served on freezing cold plates which is a no no, most if not all that was served was frozen food and quite frankly not very tasty , a rough estimate on what was spent there would be around £500 on the night as it was £24 per head for 3 course and £16 just for the main course. Quite frankly for the quality of food and service we received I find the price extortionate in all my years of catering for thousands of Xmas parties I would have been out of business for giving such bad service and poor cheap quality food.it goes without saying I would not be returning to this pub again.

Booked a party of 17 put in function room freeze cold had to ask have music on, place smelt of dirty carpets and stale beer ordered drinks at bar £5 min charge on card. Food came out 3 chicken strips floppy rocket 1 little tomatoes cut in half. Main course cold plates frozen veg potatoes hard dish water gravy had to be send a few back to be warmed up came back still not hot. Sweet frozen Christmas pud tasteless, pofitoroles chocolate drizzle on top squirty cream. Absolutely shocking experience and would never return or recommend