The Windmill - Hartlepool

Carvery here was recommended by a family member. Today (Sunday we decided to deviate from where we usually go for our carvery and try Sambuca Windmill big mista... read more Carvery here was recommended by a family member. Today (Sunday we decided to deviate from where we usually go for our carvery and try Sambuca Windmill big mistake! Upon entry, we were quickly seated. Drinks orders taken and delivered very quickly. No The place was very busy lots of noise, kids and people rushing about, loud music adding to the noise. Carvery didn’t look great so we asked for a main menu, to be told after drinks were served that they don’t serve the main menu until after 4pm on a Sunday. We nearly walked out. We should have. Long queue for the carvery. Limited choice of veg. Dry meat (maybe why the waiter drowns your food in gravy at the end! and only a few slices. Your roast potatoes, mash, watery stuffing and very thick gravy are slopped on by a server who ignores the fact you tell him 3 times ‘no mashed potato’ then hoys it on top of your vegetables! Food tasted okay. Half way through the meal there was loud clapping. We looked around to see the carvery meat server stop serving to clap loudly for no apparent reason and this seemed to go on forever then the night club style music was turned up even louder causing a few customers near us to look at each other and shake our heads in shock/despair whatever you want to name it! It was not a calm and relaxing atmosphere to eat. We won’t be paying over £32 (11.95 each for carvery plus a pint of lager and Pepsi Max for this experience again.

We had a fantastic evening here a couple of nights ago celebrating my Son's 21st birthday. There were 18 of us in our party. The staff were fantastic, they look... read more We had a fantastic evening here a couple of nights ago celebrating my Son's 21st birthday. There were 18 of us in our party. The staff were fantastic, they looked after us all night and nothing was any trouble to them. The food was really lovely and a good price too. The staff got my son up on a chair and had everyone sing happy birthday to him followed by a complimentary shot drink. Everyone in our party had a wonderful time and I will definitely be returning again soon to try out the Sunday carvery.

We were welcomed entering the Inn and shown to our table. That was where the special treatment ended. I had 2 starters as I do not eat much and my husband had a... read more We were welcomed entering the Inn and shown to our table. That was where the special treatment ended. I had 2 starters as I do not eat much and my husband had a starter and a main meal. What I had was very nice and the price was ok? my husbands main was nothing special just like something I would make on a weekday. Delivered lovely and warm on warm plates which was good. we were going to have Sunday lunch at the carvery but the meat looked really dry, the bench was a mess with veg and spilt gravy, not inviting at all. We sat close to one of the windows which was good but outside there was a full table with plates of food an drinks glasses hardly touched. It looked like they had just walked away after trying the food. what a SHAME. May give it another chance during the week for may be a sandwich or something but it will not be our first choice. You could tell the people that were regulars. We asked for water half way through our meal, we havd to re ask after 20 mins and the waiters had to go herself to the bar, but by then it was too late.

The customer service at this restaurant is fantastic, with very friendly staff. The food is amazing and I highly recommend it to others. read more The customer service at this restaurant is fantastic, with very friendly staff. The food is amazing and I highly recommend it to others.

The carvery at this restaurant was fantastic and offered great value for the price. My parents thoroughly enjoyed their meal. read more The carvery at this restaurant was fantastic and offered great value for the price. My parents thoroughly enjoyed their meal.