The White Hart Hotel, Boston

4.1/5 - based on 496 reviews
3/5 Published 07.05.2023

"Lovely place to be, BUT, the food (specifically the price of), leaves much to be desired…."

After my parents having nothing but good to say about The White Hearts Sunday dinners and atmosphere etc, I decided to make the trip from Skegness with my husband to try it for ourselves.
Its no doubt a nicely kept gem in the middle of Boston, BUT, unfortunately it did fall short.
To begin, a pricey “cocktail” of £9 which barely filled a tumbler full of ice, no hint of alcohol or any Cherry flavour (as was titled), I was able to get over it, IF, that was the only downfall.
The waitress (Millie), was very pleasant and polite, the other staff pleasant enough also.
We ordered for £14.95 each, the BBQ chicken (basically hunters chicken), and I ordered apparently…..the LARGE fish and chips. I had to ask the waitress out of interest how small the regular fish and chips was (for £10.95), as-well as double checking with her I got the right size. The fish was no bigger than 4 inches long, and was thin, and to boot, had little to no flavour. The only good thing about it, was that I like the other dishes chips being served in a metal basket thing, mine wasn't, an so I got a-few more chips- thank goodness! At this point we were wishing we had a starter (of which when we asked if one particular starter was big enough to share, Millie advised not), so we settled on a decent main and a good pudding instead.
The Chicken dish lacked flavour, the coleslaw was tiny weeny and was warm….. chips were few. We looked forward to a coffee and a pudding though and was hopeful.
Coffee and pudding was ordered. My coffee came after a time, 10 minutes passed Nd no coffee for my husband, or pudding. My coffee had long disappeared and clearly I had reminded them of the second coffee that ordered. Another 15 minutes passed, I had to ask again, if the pudding's were coming…… after a time, again, and after being forgotten it evidently seemed to be finally came. I had a very tasteless (but with a nice shortbread biscuit which save the day), Creme Brûlée. My husband Banana and Pecan was however good. Finally!
So, all in all, we came away dissatisfied, and disappointed after high praise was given.
The staff were pleasant however given how unbelievably quiet it was, we couldn’t understand why there were mistakes. No apologies nor another coffee was even offered to I might add at the very least. The atmosphere was relaxed, calm and cosy, and it has been done up to a great standard. BUT, £9 for a cocktail, £6 for a beer, £15 for a meal that was no better in honesty than across the road at Wetherspoon’s, a £4 coffee (of which by the way was a really good cup of coffee), and a £6 each pudding….. it was hard not be a tad miffed, especially when its a treat for us to go out at all.
We would like to try it again, BUT, I won’t be in any rush unfortunately I am afraid especially in making a trip from Skegness.
As it was, I wanted to make a trip to Pilgrim a-bit better by visiting The White Heart.
Also to note, you are told at the time of paying “if you are happy with the 10% service charge”- I found that awkward, and unnecessary to be honest . I went along with it but this isn’t America. People should be able to tip as and when they feel it is deserved and when it has been worth tipping for in terms of both food and service. I waitressed for years and I personally understood and worked to earn them, not to expect them.


The White Hart Hotel, Boston

Address
1 - 5 High Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 8SH

Website
https://www.whitehartboston.com/

Email
[email protected]