Dyneley Arms

Reviews

• Read the signs

  Signs outside a pub are always helpful. They give you an insight to the experience you should expect when you walk inside. A pub with a chalkboard advising of "2 for the price of 1" is best avoided. A pub promising "Locally sourced home-cooked fayre" is worth calling in on. So, what do you make of a pub with no signs? We thought we'd find out tonight. Perhaps the biggest sign for us should have been that the car park was empty, at 6:30pm on a Friday? Surely this should have been one of the busiest times of the week? Bellys empty, this didn't deter us. The bar served the usual array of Sam Smiths own label beverages and the barman was pleasant - even taking the time to demonstrate a newspaper holder for us. I had a bitter shandy and the missis, a cola. The bitter shandy tasted ok, could have been a little colder and the cola tasted like cola. Ok so far. We were hungry and ready to eat so we quickly grabbed a menu, the barman advised how and where to order and pointed us in the direction of a "room away from all the kids with great views". As it turned out, the views were great but difficult to see through a high window from a low chair. The room had character but totally lacked any ambience or any soul. The barman dropped by and took our order. The menu was reminicent of the options provided by the 2 for 1 establishments I eluded to earlier - best avoided. But, we were there, we were hungry so we ordered. Sam Smiths Beef & Ale pie, with veg and chips for the missis and Gammon, egg & chips, with peas for me. The food arrived swiftly delivered by a woman in casual clothes. The pie was so unpleasant my missis described the taste as something that had been through a dog. The vegatables were a mix of (what we assumed to be frozen) cauli, carrots, peas and were soggy, tasteless and grey. Then (definately frozen) chips were undercooked, as were mine. My gammon was cooked ok and the size was good. On leaving, we were not asked if the meal was ok for us so had to air our opinions at the bar. The barman, who is obviously experienced in these matters, apologised as he took my hard earned cash and said he'd have a word with the kitchen. He needn't have bothered on our account. We certainly won't be returning.

  Foojahn
  Review Date: 09/07/2009 Report review
• Very reasonable

  Pros: New management have made a real effort - always had friendly and speedy service. Nice views across Wharfedale. The food is more than adequate pub grub (plenty of veggie options). The quirky 'heritage' decor, with each room having its own feel, is actually quite distinctive as is the ALL Sam Smiths bar - even the spirits are no-name brands. Good beers and lagers. In an age when we should celebrate local produce and distinctiveness, top marks to the Dyneley. Cons: Food is not served all day, especially lacking a Sunday evening service. 1.5% card charge (although prices very reasonable so no-one should quibble). Soft drink bottles on small side. You're going to need a designated driver!

  Jamesrhydding
  Review Date: 10/03/2009 Report review
• A long wait

  This was our second attempt at going to this relatively recently restored pub, the first time was just too busy. This time the place was less full so we gave it a go. I wish we hadn't. The main problem was that although we were told that the food would take up to 45 minutes to come (acceptable when everything is cooked fresh) it actually took 75 minutes. When it arrived (without a word of apology) it was of a reasonable standard, and at a fair price. During the wait we were forced to listen to the staff moaning about how bad their experience was over Christmas (we were beginning to see why this would be). Overall this made for a very strange atmosphere and it felt an unhappy place to be. This pub could be brilliant, its position is great and the area is calling out for a good gastro-pub. Unfortunately we won't be going back there as we came away feeling very disappointed.

  Simondrsmith
  Review Date: 07/12/2008 Report review
• Dyneley Arms

  6 of us went to eat this evening and had a thoroughly pleasant time.We liked the ambience, small rooms, choice of types of seating, equable temperature. No loud music, which was a great relief!We were asked if we would like to have a drink first, or go straight to our table, we had reserved, but did not really need too.The tables were clean, the menu cards fresh and the 'Specials' board clearly written.The alcohol was reasonably priced £5 for a pint of beer and a large white wine.We had plenty of time to choose our food. The main course prices varied from £6.00 to steak at £14.00, with a good choice of meat dishes, fish dishes and vegetarian dishes.We did not have too long to wait, and when the food came, it was hot, freshly prepared and plentiful. Only 1 small niggle, the pastry crust on the meat pie was rather hard, but it was tasty. Six different meals, and all good.The staff were friendly and the service fine. It was a Wednesday evening and quiet. Our daughter had been earlier in the week, and recommended it, she was right.

  Ninny
  Review Date: 11/11/2008 Report review
• What a lost opportunity

  After such a long wait, following a fire in 2002, I was expecting something good. Boy were we disappointed :~(( . Lots of little rooms, no atmosphere, decoration from the suicidal school of design (ie way beyond gloomy), a pathetic selection, no real coke, tiny bottles of non-alcoholic drink, 1.5% charge for using a debit card, food that was "industrial". Enormous portions of soggy chips, undercooked fish, steak pie that was made of that shreds of meat and so little gray they added a tiny gravy boat of brown fat. Staff were undertrained, the menu on day 4 said "Pie of the day" £5.95, but I was charged £8.75. I complained and was told "no pie of the day today". I said I ordered pie of the day so She said we'll refund the difference of £1.80. I repeatly said the difference was £2.80, but was not believed till I asked her to put it through the calculator (!). And then - without being told - the 1.5% surcharge was added. Not a fun experience, we will not be returning. Its back to the Shoulder of Mutton for us. Nick & Pauline

  Nickmoul
  Review Date: 08/03/2008 Report review
• Room to improve

  Tasty food and deceptively spacious. This could be a good pub but is sadly let down by a young inexperienced staff who lack direction. We left without coffee and dessert as we could not find anyone to serve us among the many uniformed staff.Would we go again? Probably but not for couple of months when the staff have learned to work as a team.We were regular diners in the old Dyneley Arms.

  Ken
  Review Date: 08/03/2008 Report review