"The Bistro at Sewerby Grange is basically a wooden chalet type building at the end of a partially walled garden to the rear of the hotel. Here there is a small bar and dining area with further outdoor seating and a pizza oven.The setting is very attractive, especially on a summer evening and the pizzas are superb, cooked to order in an oak fired oven with the very finest of ingredients. Faultless, mouth-watering pizzas. Possibly the best pizza I have ever had, set in very pleasant surroundings. But this is where it all falls apart!I have been here twice now and had a very similar experience each time....gorgeous pizza, unwelcoming almost rude staff. On our latest visit we were told we possibly couldn 't be served as a large party was due to arrive (the bistro was still open though with lots of empty tables). As we turned to walk away the waitress said go on then, take a seat and I 'll bring you a menu . I wanted to add if it 's not too much trouble !! We were given a menu, our drinks order was taken and then when our drinks were brought to us the menu was snatched from the table without our being asked if we wished to order! I waited a few minutes then had to go inside to the cooking area and place my own order where I was told you should actually give your order to the waitress ! A while later and cutlery and napkins were dropped on the table (literally) and shortly after that our pizza was delivered on a tray, uncut with a wheel for us to cut it ourselves. I guess this wasn 't a problem but some plates would have been nice! I don 't see the point of knives and forks for pizza the staff are obviously expecting you to eat off a napkin! Or maybe our plates were overlooked? Maybe we were such an inconvenience to them we weren 't deemed worthy of a plate? Either way, I hardly dare ask at this point and we managed with napkins/fingers.To summarise, I think it is perfectly obvious this bistro is a hobby for the owners of the hotel. The man cooking the pizza was actually very friendly and polite, but I think the waiting staff must be the owners because surely no restaurateur or hotelier would stand for staff with such a cavalier attitude towards customers?This is a great pity as I can see great potential for somewhere that pays such close attention to creating truly excellent pizza. With a few improvements, better marketing and a staffing overhaul I could see this dining experience attracting a lot of custom. But as it stands, sadly, the delicious pizza is overshadowed by the dire service. And, in this area, that unfortunately means failure....no matter how wonderful the pizza may be."
