Yarmouth closed on Monday

[KREW2]

Just spent enjoyable but very hot four days in Yarmouth. Arrived Sunday and ate on board, decided to eat out Monday evening. Wheatsheaf was closed for food, Kings Head was closed completely, as was the fish and chip shop. Luckily we manged to book a table at the Bugle. We arrived at 20.00 and made our way to the front of a queue who were all being turned away. When seated there was at least 7 empty tables that stayed that way until 23.30, when last orders at the bar were called and the pub was closing.

 

[Just_sayin']

When seated there was at least 7 empty tables that stayed that way until 23.30, when last orders at the bar were called and the pub was closing.

That‘s what I would expect from a good restaurant … only seat the tables that you can serve to the customers satisfaction.

 

[KREW2]

That‘s what I would expect from a good restaurant … only seat the tables that you can serve to the customers satisfaction.

I have been in the catering trade all my life and I agree, when I said no more that was it. Staff shortages are the problem, and it seems to be everywhere. Here in the UK, the Channel Isles is even worse.
To cap it all my daughter who booked a return months ago on the Lymington, Yarmouth ferry was contacted and told it was cancelled due to staffing problems.

 

[FinesseChris]

Visited an (inland) riverside hotel recently where the manageress was ashen-faced – she'd just been told "no chef" (reasons not disclosed...) at 6.00 p.m with tables booked all evening, and residents expecting to eat.
Would not be in hospitality for a pension right now.

 

[ashtead]

Yarmouth has always had dining issues. I have found the George offhand front of house as if they were doing me a favour even serving their indifferent food. The Wheatsheaf is usually fine if mass market . Salties or the On the Rocks always used to be tasty fayre and happy smiling servering team I recall but don’t know if still good. Best of seaside eateries currently is perhaps the old fort in Seaview where we ate last night -only downside is some of one’s fellow diners at other tables giving young staff a hard time trying to extort a free meal can spoil the harmony for a while although they dealt with the PITA very well we thought given his scamming attitude.

 

[penberth3]

Visited an (inland) riverside hotel recently where the manageress was ashen-faced – she'd just been told "no chef" (reasons not disclosed...) at 6.00 p.m with tables booked all evening, and residents expecting to eat.
Would not be in hospitality for a pension right now.

Shocking stuff! Management have to roll their sleeves up and do some work!

 

[Stemar]

Shocking stuff! Management have to roll their sleeves up and do some work!

I think a place might do better with a cook doing the managing than a manager doing the cooking

 

[Daydream believer]

Swop the menus for a local pizza one and order some takeaways

 

[Switch]

We ate at 'The Folly Inn' on Friday late PM. The place was was virtually empty but they were turning away 'walk ins' and only accepting pre-bookers. They were blaming staff shortages and the heat.

 

[KREW2]

On Wednesday evening there was an enterprising wood fired pizza van in the marina car park. As soon as he rocked up the first thing he did was put a sign up a "Fully Booked" sign.
The fish and chip shop was only taking pre-booked orders. My daughter had booked a 19.45 slot to pick up two fish and chips. When I went to pick it up for her there were several people waiting to order for the 20.30 slot. They were all told there was no more cod, only hoki and plaice.

 

[Frogmogman]

I think a place might do better with a cook doing the managing than a manager doing the cooking

This is probably generally true, but then I (landlord) and my manager both do regular shifts in the kitchen at my pub.

Apart from anything, it prevents the chefs from hiding anything unpleasant in the fridges…..

 

[Frogmogman]

They were all told there was no more cod, only hoki and plaice.

Supplies of cod are extremely problematic at the moment. My main supplier tells me that 40% of the market in North Atlantic cod came from Russia, so with sanctions, supply has been hugely squeezed and prices have almost doubled.

 

[Stemar]

This is probably generally true, but then I (landlord) and my manager both do regular shifts in the kitchen at my pub.

Apart from anything, it prevents the chefs from hiding anything unpleasant in the fridges…..

A good place will have a manager who can get to work in the kitchen or front of house when necessary, but with far too many, the only things they can cook are the books

 

[Chiara’s slave]

If you’re stuck in Yarmouth with no food, remember that there’s a medium large Tesco a very pleasant 2 1/2 mile walk away beside the river yar.

 

[burgundyben]

You cant possibly get stuck for food in Yarmouth.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I would have thought not, but folks seem concerned.

 

[ashtead]

I think the OP was looking for quality dining on the island perhaps as opposed to the corner shop grub beloved by grockles. I wonder if you can do deliveries by Waitrose from east cowes to Yarmouth marina? We haven’t tried it for Bembridge marina but they get to Seaview.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Theres a Land Rover taxi service to The Hut, though IMHO the experience there isn’t necessarily fine dining. Mind you, neither is The George, my daughter worked there one summer…

 

[ashtead]

Poor daughter if the management style is akin to customer meet and greet. I don’t think bookings are ever to be had at the Hut . I gather another local eatery has had a run in with visiting mobo guests given the column inches in the county press. I do have a certain sympathy with him though in having a simple menu for casual mobo visitors. Maybe more to story than revealed though.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I think the issue with The George is ownership churn. It was owned by the ex CEO of Camelot then. Prior to that, it was the guy who is currently PRO of RSYC. He and I have history. Now, its owned by a consortium including John Illsley, I believe they are doing their best to turn things around.