Sondes Arms

Review summary

1. S

   Shanice

   Northampton

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   We have visited sondes arms many a time before and have always loved the food, the atmosphere and generally everything about the experience. Due to having not been for a while we decided to go for a birthday on 23/02/2025. We booked well in advance and we were very looking forward to it. I’m really sad to say that from start to finish it was a very stressful, and pointless booking. We arrived on time and were seated, in a very noisy section of the restaurant. Served quite quickly to start off with. However once we received our starters and drinks we were advised we would have to wait to be called up for a carvery (this wasn’t an issue as stated we had visited before) starters were finished, and collected and we were left sitting for over an hour before having to ask a server if we were at all close to getting our food. We were advised a minute and then rushed off to get our meals. Due to having kids at the table we had to take turns and this meant 6/7 of us had been rushed up to get food while one stayed with the kids. When we got back to the table the waitress then advised a large party they could go up. Meaning our slot was over and the last person in our party had to wait behind everyone else and ended up sitting down to her food while everyone else had nearly finished theirs. The food was very poor, majority of it looked as though it was frozen and reheated, most of it was stone cold. Out of a party of 7 only 3/4 of us actually ate the meal and the rest of us just left it. We then very quickly paid and left. Service is very rushed, the ambiance is extremely loud and the food quality was very poor for the amount that was paid. Such a shame for what was once a very very nice restaurant renowned for its carvery’s.
   

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2. L

   Louise

   Northampton

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Staff very friendly , food excellent and really good value , would highly recommend
   

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3. V

   Valerie

   Leicestershire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our guests travelled from Rotherham and got held up on the M1 We told the staff and they kept liasing with us so everything went smoothly and we left the table at the time it was needed Food and service excellent as usual
   

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4. C

   Cathy

   Yorkshire

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   The service was excellent and the food was delicious. The price was reasonable. The only downside was the noisy children in the restaurant however I know this can’t be influenced by the restaurant. It’s just a shame parents can’t control their children.
   

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5. L

   Lynne

   Northampton

   6 reviews

   4.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Good food and good value. Service was slightly slow.
   

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6. K

   Kyra

   Leicestershire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 16, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Staff where lovely and helpful,they explained how to order food,as this was our first visit to the restaurant.The desert menu was offered with a decent gap from the main course.We would be happy to visit again
   

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7. ER

   ElaineR

   Leicestershire

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   This has been our third visit since it was taken over by new management as we thought we’d give it yet another try. We did state when booking it was a birthday celebration but there was no best wishes or extra effort made. The decor has changed and there is little to no ambience and atmosphere at all. Service was slow even though it wasn’t a particularly busy evening. The first words from our server were about all the dishes that were off the menu. Despite the menu being different to the one online so there was little vegetarian options. The server was distinctly average with no greeting or smile. So no we didn’t give a minimum 10% tip!!!!! Food was average, vegetarian burger was pitiful and very dry. Service was quite slow and we waited a long time for a round of drinks. Overall the celebration was a bit lack lustre and definitely not worth almost £200 . The table next to us got up and left after hearing what was off the menu then also told they had no fish and chips. Crazy apparently we had had the last two portions. Don’t think we’ll be giving it another go. Now we know why it was nowhere as busy as it used to be. Shame
   

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8. J

   Julie

   Leicestershire

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Disappointing! Poor choice, poor quality & slow service. We left before our mains arrived after waiting over an hour and a half. Waiting
   

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9. l

   luke

   Northampton

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Very good quality food and very good portions, our waitress was lovely, the atmosphere was good being Valentine’s Day but the food service was slightly slow considering it wasn’t that busy when we went, but overall very very good
   

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10. H

    Hannah

    Leicestershire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    I had a lovely chicken and mashed potatoes the gravy was also lovely I would definitely have it again. The staff were also friendly.
    

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