Bull on Bell Street - Reading

This is a lovely place. It’s big with plenty of tables. There is a good selection of drinks. What let it down was the menu. I had a fish pie which contained little fish, was over cooked and was mostly mashed potato with little sauce. Quite poor value for money too. My partner had a cod dish which looked much nicer. I was too hungry to send the pie back and once the food was delivered mo wait staff appeared in any case. The rest of the menu was interested by but perhaps a little dated. All in all great for drinks and great for a pub meal but you could of course actually go to a pub for that.

We had booked for lunch. The menu looked good, although not cheap but it is Henley. All went well until we waited almost an hour for our food to arrive, quite cold and with items missing. I'm guessing they have staff problems. The waiter was appropriately apologetic when we complained, but no management concern show. I would avoid for the time being unless you don't mind taking a chance.

Had high expectations for Sunday lunch at The Bull having reserved a table for seven online, but the whole experience from start to finish was absolutely atrocious. The table had only been laid for six people when we arrived an ominous sign of how shoddy the service would be. It took 20 minutes for our drinks order to come and we ended up waiting an HOUR for our food. We twice asked where it was, and one member of staff said we should have expected an hour delay, which we weren't told about at the time of ordering. We tentatively ordered a few more drinks but again they took ages to come. When seven Sunday roasts finally emerged they were cold, the Yorkshire puddings (could you even call them that?! were eggy, flat and looked more like undercooked pancakes. The meat (beef and lamb in this case was chewy and tough and the roast potatoes rock hard. It beggars belief how they could charge £19 for a roast dinner of such poor quality. We ended up not paying for the food at all because it was that terrible. Despite our obvious disappointment there was no offer of a discount on the drinks bill from the manager. While waiters were apologetic and not to blame, it was clear the place was severely understaffed. Definitely won't be going here again.

Staff are as bland as dry toast no atmosphere or smiles. Manager was OK sat me at a dirty table which was sticky, ordered two starters and a pint cost £27 pounds when the squid came out it was near enough thrown on the table with no emotion or words to mention this is my meal. The Squid looked as if it was £5 pounds worth and brown in colour the batter or oil looked as if it was from last week! EXPENSIVE place never again will I visit such a dive!! Better cheaper and friendlier places in Henley-on-Thames

We had to cancel our Christmas Lunch booking with our elderly mothers as they contracted COVID. We were reminded that the deposit was non-refundable but it was suggested that I contact the general manager to see if anything could be done, such as allowing us to carry a portion forward towards another meal. I have heard absolutely nothing in response, not even an acknowledgment or standard response. Unlikely to go back there.