The Waterfall, Cradley Heath

The Waterfall pub

After looking at a picture of The Waterfall pub in Old Hill on the internet I was impressed by the attractive white-bricked pub.

On arrival, it seemed to match up to its cosy, traditional image, as it is also well positioned at the top of a hill with a view over Cradley Heath and the surrounding Black Country towns.

The pub was reassuringly busy for a Saturday night and we quickly bagged the only remaining table.

The internet write up said the pub has been listed on the Camra good beer guide and the food was "good and basic".

The menu lived up to this - it was full of classic pub fare including mixed grill, beef chilli and chicken tikka masala.

Non meat eaters like me had a reasonable selection of fish and chips, homemade vegetable lasagne and vegetable curry.

All meals were unbelievably cheap, with most of them just over £5. To beat the winter chill James ordered beef chilli and I went for the vegetable curry.

We then sat down to enjoy our drinks which included a pint of lager for him and a glass of red wine for me.

Suddenly a woman, who appeared to be the chef, burst out of the kitchen and said "who ordered the chilli" almost as though it was a misdemeanor. It transpired that there was no rice which basically meant the curry option I had picked was also under threat. It may sound fussy but I don't like eating curry without rice. So I asked the woman if I could have something else.

It could be said her response was less than helpful - "well you had better hurry up we close at 8.30pm."

It was only 8.10pm when she said this. In the end James agreed on the beef chilli with chips and I switched to fish and chips - but we were left feeling a bit miffed that the pub's lack of food was somehow used to make us - the customers after all - feel guilty.

The beef chilli was apparently very pleasant and the fish and chips probably above average. Another menu surprise came in the form of a plate of mushrooms which was just plonked on the table a good 10 minutes after everything else without explanation.

All in all a basic meal - but what can only be described as poor service.

ADDRESS

The Waterfall, Waterfall Lane, Cradley Heath

Tel: 0121 5613499

By Rebecca Jones