Grinling Gibbons at Stapleford Park

Overall the experience was good, but I feel there is definitely room for improvement in food, service and dining environment.
The good: Friendly helpful service, attentive and quick. We both enjoyed the heritage tomato starter, the lamb and the salted cod. Presentation of food was excellent. Ambient dining experience (although a touch lacking in atmosphere), restaurant well laid out with decent space between tables. Deserts were excellent.

What to improve on: We booked at 7:30 both nights, we arrived early to have a drink at the bar, but on both nights were taken to our table very quickly after ordering , please check with guests if they want to eat at booking time or earlier. We felt the food was not living up to how it was presented, we both had fillet steak (and we noticed in other dishes both at the restaurant and bar) nothing was seasoned very well (and we eat low salt diets), the steak lacked general flavour and had not been left to rest (bled on the plate). Service was almost too quick... no time between bread on the table and starters arriving. The dining room is well decorated, but everything is purple, including the fine plasterwork. Finally it should be considered if very young children should be in the restaurant, I could see another couple finding it difficult to enjoy their meal with a 1 or 2 year old grissling beside them.

The food and service were excellent. Food was really well cooked and delicious, and really well presented. Service staff were attentive and friendly and they were happy to give you enough time to eat at your own pace without feeling rushed.

Impeccable service, sensational dishes and superb surroundings all combine to make this a very special dining experience. Expect the high quality to be reflected in the price, but relish in the special occasion.

The food was fine but the flies which wanted to share it with us were rather a nuisance.

The roast beef was absolutely delicious it just melted in your mouth

We booked for Easter Sunday lunch at what we knew to be a magnificent country house location. The staff were very helpful but did not always follow up on on requests, however a reminder resulted in prompt attention with a courteous apology. In fairness there were several staff wearing 'under training' badges.
The dining hall was a delight, the menu a little restricted but included a fish course, a meat course and a vegetarian option. The experience was good, the food was of a good bistro standard and service was attentive. The overall experience was very good, we will go again but on a less busy date.

Overall disappointed particularly by the service on this visit. Wine wasn’t allowed to properly chill, waiter made a mess of opening the cork, had to chase for bread which didn’t arrive in time for my soup, same with petit fours which never arrived. Served by 3 people at table who didn’t coordinate with each other. Rushed to pay bill before we’d even had coffee. Not good at all.

My friend and I had dinner at the Grinling Gibbons at Stapleford Park on Wednesday 21 February 2018 and it was wonderful. The service was excellent from all members of staff who were respectful, very helpful and efficient. Our particular waiter, Fabio, was extremely friendly and provided all the information we could wish on the dishes we had ordered and the wine and drinks we ordered throughout the meal. Truly first class.

The food was intricately designed and beautifully prepared resulting in a delightful meal we will remember for a long time.

All in all we had a wonderful stay at Stapleford Park.

Kind regards

Hilary Krause

Nice table linen,thank goodness no paper napkins, lovely dining room, my beef was cooked rare (as it should be) and delicious, we both really enjoyed lunch, l would have preferred the area we had to go in for pre lunch drinks , as there was no space in the bar ,not to be laid out for afternoon tea. Surely you could have done that later in the afternoon.

Everything was extremely expensive and did not reflect the price in terms of quality. I have eaten at 2 Michelin star restaurants which have better value.