Fork & Bottle at The Desmond

I always stay at the Desmond for Malvern trips. I'm a huge fan of their breakfast service.

So been doing brunch here for years but the standards have dropped significantly and I can not officially say that better options that take pride in quality and presentation. I know I have a special order, but if your chef cant figure out to prepare thinner pancakes without failing to cook food to and edible temperature and not serving up an unhealthy mass of dough likely to make one sick then what are you doing and why bother being a restaurant. Generally some nice servers here but more broadly there has been a drop off and there are some poor attitudes. This is sad and this will be my last time here. Failed to meet expectations. Poor resolution of issues. Poor conflict management. In short, regarding hospitality, they failed hence the review. If the expectations are reasonable, any reasonable service operator will meet or exceed them. Not this place. The explanation I received from the restaurant manager was they did not have a recipe for the pancakes I wanted despite making them for me every time I go there. If the cook is not supervised by a chef, again, why bother operating as a restaurant. Chefs make recipes and would never have permitted under-cooked to be served. This place has gone SO downhill.

Brunch is dismal value. Food quality was identical to a complementary hotel breakfast. It seems they are riding on past goodwill when many more and higher quality items were served. Instead it’s stripped down to basics and they still charge the same high price.

The Caesar salad was a little on the small side for 10 bucks, but otherwise this was a lovely lunch. Collin was attentive and unintrusive.

20 years ago we had our wedding reception at the Desmond. Went back fir our 20th anniversary at the Fork & Bottle and had an awesome experience!!

Outstanding!!!

Really nice breakfast buffet with a good variety of fresh cooked foods including a carving station with the juiciest turkey I have had and a fresh omelette station with modest, but fresh options. I liked the fact they individually served some of the dishes to order to avoid unsafe room temperatures (smoked salmon and eggs Benedict). Great price and service was super.

Honestly, we went to this buffet pre-covid and it was outstanding. They had a huge selection and it was delicious. This is our first time back post covid and it is not what it used to be. The main buffet room is seriously lacking. They used to have cheeses and a large spread. Now it’s pared down to very little selection. There used to be so many salad options and now you get lettuce and maybe a half of dozen toppings. It was really disappointing for the price charged. I honestly wouldn’t waste my time or money here again. However, the service was great. The drinks were brought out promptly and they were very friendly. It’s unfortunate that this buffet is not what it used to be at all. I wouldn’t come back.