Lovely, But Check Your Bill.
We had a lovely meal, but they overcharged us by £50. I recommend the food but check the bill and stick up for your rights!!!    [06 Apr 2002 14:44:39]

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Recommended Dishes: Smoked salmon tartlet

     ­Anonymous   

You Won't Be Dissapointed.
Delicious food, wonderful artwork, picturesque surroundings, friendly environment, professional staff - this is the Sir Charles Napier restaurant, Chinnor. My husband and I visited recently after it was very highly recommended to us, and we were not disappointed. Perfect place to spend a Sunday lunchtime, and not too overpriced. We will definately return in the near future!    [05 Aug 2003 13:53:48]

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Recommended Dishes: Roast Guinea Foul, Cornish Lobster

     ­Jenna Hitchcock   

All The Graces - No Airs.
I've been to posher places and to dearer places. The Sir Charles Napier is the equal of many of them in terms of food - and especially wine - but manages to achieve high standards in those areas without the condescension that's apparent in too many venues. As an all-round combination of food, wine, welcome and ambiance, it's hard to beat.    [23 Aug 2003 02:30:58]

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Recommended Dishes: Scallops, cheese souffle, guinea fowl

     ­Neil Bevan   

Unless You Are A Regular.
expect to be uprouted from the comfortable sofa, while enjoying a pleasant drink. We were asked give up our seating for some other customers. We were told we had no choice in the matter and offered some wooden stools to sit on at bar.

Our evening was spoilt. Certainly wouldn't have no intention of trying the restaurant.    [23 Aug 2003 12:23:40]

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     ­Anonymous   

Now Two Sittings....
If you book for 7:30 - 7:45 expect to be rushed with your meal. We had just sat down in the bar with our aperitif when we were rushed into the restaurant, rushed with the menu for starters and main course, our plates taken away and the desert menu thrust upon us. The result - the whole meal was finished in 50 minutes. Then we were rushed into the bar for coffee...

We had been looking forward to a relaxing evening. All our hostess had to say was "I don't know what to do - some complain about the length of time they have to wait for their meal and others say it is too fast."

My point is that a good meal (the food is excellent) deserves to be savoured and enjoyed - not treated like a fast food joint.    [08 Feb 2005 14:38:04]

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     ­Duncan   

It Felt As Though We Were On A Production Line.
We had previously visited the restaurant just before Christmas and had put down the overly quick service and "could you now take your coffee in the bar" to the fact that a very large number of people wanted to enjoy a festive Sunday lunch away from home.

This Sunday however we found that a fairly surly approach by the 'patrone' poor overall service (we had to repeat orders for wine and water as it just didn't come) and food rushed at you in order to get your table for another sitting is just not acceptable. The place is quite pleasant and conveniently situated but you are left with a bad taste in your mouth at the end of the meal. Avoid it if you want a calm and unrushed meal.    [10 May 2005 13:26:34]

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     ­Basil Short   

Downhill All The Way.
This meal started well - a nice English garden on a wonderful summer's evening; with a cool drink while looking over the menu. But then we were seated opposite the frantic kitchen and had to observe the staff descending into panic and frustration. The starter arrived - it was well presented, but ever so small - more like a canape we thought. And then we waited and waited and waited. And waited more. Finally, the main course arrived - and it was a starter size. We decided to skip dessert and asked for the bill (3 times) - only to find a bottle of wine on it that had nothing to do with us. And they were curt about fixing it!

Go for a drink in the garden, but check your bill carefully and don't expect good service.    [23 Jun 2006 17:34:38]

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     ­Anonymous   

Lovely Setting.
I live in London so the Napier is not exactly on my doorstep, but it's a restaurant I am extremely fond of, which I recommend to friends and which I have visited as often as I can over the past 14 years.
However, almost without exception, the experience has been negatively affected by the off-hand front-of-house (who is Julie, the owner, no less!).
On my last visit, we had just settled down to enjoy pre-prandial drinks in the lounge when we were asked to move to our table. There appeared to be no pressing urgency, as it was only 7pm and there was plenty of room available. Thereafter, when we attempted to order our food, we were ignored for a lengthy period and, after we were eventually acknowledged, Julie walked away when I was trying to order the wine! Such a shame when the decor, ambiance and food are so worthy. Julie makes the place equally memorable but for the wrong reason. Try as she might, she won't deter me from coming to the Napier, but I will attribute her rudeness to English eccentricity and continue to be amused by it!    [03 Oct 2007 08:57:50]

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     ­Anonymous