The Little Bell - Oxford

Haven’t visited since Jan 2020 Had read the recent reviews but was prepared to give it another go, as really love it for my birthday though they didn’t know that Check in was smooth and Majeck ? was delightful, good start. Room was fabulous room 1 Dinner was good, food lovely, though staffing is a bit sticky but friendly. Great nights sleep, could not fault the room or location of it. Breakfast was triumphant cooked by Triena sooo delicious. I’m so happy we went back 5th time I realise they are having staffing problems, as are many places in the current climate but would say to upper management, look after the two that made our stay memorable for the right reasons. We will return.

Oh dear. Please train your staff… I’ve been coming to the Bell for more than 10 years, and have loved it and recommended it to all my friends… But not at the moment. Recently there’s clearly been a high staff turnover and the service has been just sad. Every single time I have visited in the last three months I’ve had to get up and walk to the bar to ask for help at least twice because the guys meant to be waiting on us have been too busy playing stuff on their phones to wait on us. That would be fine for a £15 a head Wetherspoons meal, but not here! I’m going again in a couple of weeks and will update if things have improved!

Sunday lunch. A shame we weren't told there was no lamb before the waiter came to take our orders. Dad ordered chicken which came with fries so he asked for proper chips. It came with the unwanted fries and a side order of proper chips. Okay could argue we didn't make it clear, but thought it was obvious. Did get them reluctantly removed from the bill. Love not being rushed, but hate sitting with dirty plates in front of us for way too long. Gave up waiting on a previously ordered glass of wine and went to the bar. Gave up on the latte altogether it was still on the bill. Ordered 2 cheesecake, 2 spoons delivered, 3 cheesecake arrived, one of which we refused! 3 on the bill and felt it was an uphill struggle to get them to believe we only ordered, ate and would pay for 2. Very nice food but service lacking despite very pleasant staff. Crying out for a maitre d' and better training.

Had Sunday lunch here before and faultless so today very disappointing. Having waited for sometime for someone to greet us we found our own table. the only one for 6). Attractive welcoming dining room. Then came the meal......... Snails with garlic butter no garlic butter. Cheese souffle with apple ,pear and walnut salad. Souffle 10/10 but no sign of pears or apple. Apparently menu changed and now souffle comes with scorched grapes. No sign of scorching on ours. 5 of us had roasts. For £26.50 for roast lamb I expect decent meat. 3 paper thin, overcooked, small slices. Reminiscent of a Findus frozen roast dinner. Beef was the same. Vegetables excellent although had to ask twice for cauliflower cheese, didn't come until half way through meal. Tasty when it came. Delay in mint sauce and horseradish and requested extra gravy never appeared. Long delay for dessert, coffee drinker had his coffee and cup cleared before desserts materialised. Sauce on sticky toffee pudding tepid lost will to complain further). Chocolate sundae very underwhelming for £8. We raised issues throughout the meal, the young workforce were polite and apologetic but nothing was really addressed. We had been offered one free dessert as recompense for the garlic butter less snails, when the bill came it was still on. The waitress was lovely and took all 3 desserts off the bill but it very much felt like a junior team who were floundering and no one able to take charge. For the quality they advertise and prices they charge this pre Christmas family catch up was a disaster meal wise.

I have visited the restaurant and hotel several times. I’ve never had reason to complain. Dinner last night was such a disappointment. The food is poor. The southern fried chicken was over cooked musty nonsense. Zero care, poorly trained staff. Frankly it was a huge let down. And expensive!!! Cannot recommend.