Magic Rock Tap - Holmfirth

We are occasional visitors to this pub, and feeling peckish last night decided to try a couple of items off their tempting-looking tapas menu. Opting for the “G... read more We are occasional visitors to this pub, and feeling peckish last night decided to try a couple of items off their tempting-looking tapas menu. Opting for the “Greek Style Chicken Kebab” and the “Salt Pepper Baby Squid”, this was the first time we’d ordered food there, and we had high hopes because the grub that we’d seen being carried around by staff on this and previous visits had all looked lovely. As things turned out however, it was a very mixed bag. First the positive: The overall presentation was good, the chicken dish being served on a wooden board which is always a nice touch. And the chicken itself was cooked to a tee. The portion was also decent, with a nice tasty skewer of tender breast chunks for each of us. The flatbread however was slightly overcooked and a bit hard around the edges in some places. I persevered with my half of the bread, but the wife left some of hers. The tzatziki was okay but nothing to do cartwheels over, and the salad garnish was just that – salad garnish. Adequate, but nothing more. Overall rating: 3/5 Now the negative: The squid dish was truly awful and a complete waste of 8.50. We may as well not have bothered. In total there were 5 pieces of what was supposed to be battered squid, but when the time came to share that between us, it turned out that 3 of the 5 pieces were just batter with nothing inside, and the pieces of squid that the remaining 2 actually contained were about the site of a fingernail and utterly devoid of taste. “Baby squid” was overstating matters. More accurate would be “virtually non-existent squid”. As for the salad bed that accompanied it, that was just a heap of tired-looking rocket in a boring lemon dressing. And we didn’t even get the aioli dip that the menu said was supposed to accompany it. Overall rating: a very poor 1/5 We like the pub itself. The ambience and atmosphere are good, and the mixed-age clientele respectable. Like the food however, the staff are also a mixed bag: All youngsters, some reasonably efficient but others looking like they’d rather be somewhere else and in need of brushing up their “people skills” (on one occasion I asked for a fresh glass, only to have it slammed down onto the bar in front of me with a disapproving scowl from the barmaid). Would we eat there again? We *might* give it one more chance. But only one!

We stayed in the Nook rooms above the Tap House and checked in at the bar. Once settled in our rooms, we returned to the bar for a beer and meal and didn't need... read more We stayed in the Nook rooms above the Tap House and checked in at the bar. Once settled in our rooms, we returned to the bar for a beer and meal and didn't need to go anywhere else. The beer was great and the food was freshly prepared. After a long journey, the staff were helpful, efficient, and provided everything we needed. The menu offered a good selection and there was also a specials board. I ordered the fish platter which was a selection of cold fish and nicely presented. It satisfied our hunger. There was a mix of age groups in the small bar area. We chose to sit in the dining area at the back and didn't feel the need to go anywhere else. I will definitely be recommending this place to my beer-loving friends.

This restaurant is fantastic for delicious food, music, and ambiance. Caitlin provided excellent service and was fabulous! Shoutout to Suttons for a great exper... read more This restaurant is fantastic for delicious food, music, and ambiance. Caitlin provided excellent service and was fabulous! Shoutout to Suttons for a great experience.

We arrived a day later than planned due to a booking mistake by my family, but the staff were extremely helpful in getting us a table within 15 minutes. The foo... read more We arrived a day later than planned due to a booking mistake by my family, but the staff were extremely helpful in getting us a table within 15 minutes. The food was excellent, with the first dishes arriving promptly and the rest following quickly. As a group, we sampled nearly all of the dishes and not a single one disappointed. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Recently we returned to Tap house for our 3rd visit as a family. Overall our evening was great! Unfortunately we had got our booking mixed up and turned up a da... read more Recently we returned to Tap house for our 3rd visit as a family. Overall our evening was great! Unfortunately we had got our booking mixed up and turned up a day late. The staff were very accommodating and were able to fit us in straight away. The tapas was amazing and the drinks on offer were great too including the cocktails and real ale on sale. Staff very friendly and happy to help advise on portion sizes and how much to order per person.