Merry Monk - Cambridge

I booked a table at the Merry Monk on line for Sunday Lunch, I meant to book at the Merry Monk in Taunton Somerset, on discovering my mistake I quickly rang to explain why we were unable to come and frankly expected a sympathetic hearing , I was bluntly told as I had booked on line and given my debit card details I would be charged £100 for a no show ! I asked if this could be waived due to our circumstances and the person I was speaking to, hung up on me. My husband rang later and spoke to another person who assured me the owner would ring back when he was free, he didn't! The proprietor of the Merry Monk Taunton said this was not the first time that had happened. Lesson learned if the booking requires payment card details, go elsewhere! Top marks to the Merry Monk in Taunton who found us a table and served us with old world courtesy on a very busy Sunday

The Merry Monk serves the most exquisite food you will find for miles around. It is operated by a superb chef and he knows how to select, prepare and serve food. Our Sunday lunch was quite the finest I have ever eaten. The beef was just sublime tender, tasty, perfectly medium rare as requested and melt in your mouth. All the accompaniments were similarly top notch and the meal was simply extraordinarily splendid. The staff are informed, attentive and polite. The whole experience could not be faulted and I cannot recommend The Merry Monk any more highly. If you eat out and haven't yet visited you must!

We've visited the merry monk a few times which have always been nice, but oh how the prices have rocketed and service quality dropped recently. We received an abrupt greeting when we arrived, then a long delay in drinks being delivered. Starters took a long time to appear, but we overheard them say they forgot to put our order though but no admission or apology of this to us directly. When the mains arrived they were tasty but the chips £4 had to be added to meal prices) were so greasy as was the squid starter. Both of us left with an upset stomach this morning. Maybe service slipped as usual managers weren't around but a shame that it's not as good as a year or so ago maybe an off day for all but a real shame.

Discovered the Merry Monk last night due to two other hostelries letting us down. But boy was it worth it! We phoned at 7.30pm absolutely starving anly to discover that their last booking had just been seated. However, the two ladies in front of house (forgive me as I do not recall their names) said if we could get there in the next twenty minutes they would do their best to accommodate. And accommodate they did. The welcome on arrival was superb. Nothing to much trouble and we're very attentive of our needs. The menu hit the spot with some unusual dishes and on arrival the food was excellent. Flavoursome, superb quality tasty and and we'll portioned. A huge thank you to all the team at the Merry Monk who helped save the evening.

We visited on recommendation from our son. We were not disappointed, all of the food was delicious and great quality. The staff were friendly and attentive.