Grillstock Smokehouse Bath & Royal Crescent StrEAT' Bath 'Festival'

This weekend was organised around food and eating!

On Sunday a group of my friends got together and we went to the Royal Crescent StrEAT' Bath 'Festival', I use inverted commas as I expected a food festival to have more than 5 stalls. Whilst there was a variety of food to chose from, all stalls had massive que's and they didn't seem ready for the amount of people there. As it wasn't a ticketed event I understand they couldn't prepare for the amounts they expected, but it did feel lacking...maybe next year they can sort the food issue out - as it was advertised as a food festival I expected more.

Also it was advertised as free, but there was a forced donation upon entry. Using one gate as the entrance and exit (unless you were prepared to climb the wall to get in and out) with stewards explaining that there was a donation, but it was clear it would be difficult to get past without the donation. Don't get me wrong I have no problem with donating to a good cause, but it was the pure lack of choice I was against, there was also no information about what the donation was going to, which was annoying.

Apart from the above annoying aspects the day was fun, a few drinks, some great jerk chicken and a game of frisbee later we decided to find the next meal. The Grillstock Smokehouse had recently opened in Bath and after the great experience at Grillstock festival there was no other option than to eat there.

I ordered the BBQ pulled pork plate:

Which was pulled pork, fries, coleslaw, smoked sausage and pickles (£8). The menu is great and very reasonable, there are a lot of options which don't include bread and meet my (annoying) diet restrictions. 

However there were a few problems, which I will list:

1. The pickles were not pickles - they still tasted like cucumber just with too much vinegar on them. I would have much prefered a gherkin, from a jar.
2. The staff were.....lacking (lets put it nicely), they made a mistake telling us which meal was being provided, and of course you believe it when a waitress says "brisket roll" that it is, the said brisket roll. However once smothered with hot sauce it was then discovered that the advertised brisket roll was a pulled pork roll and there had been a mix up. Which is fine, I've been a waitress and it happens, the normal response would be to apologize and offer to change the buns. As it is a mistake made by the server, not knowing what dish is which. But there was nothing, so solution, the waitress just stood there with a blank face. I appreciate the venue is new, but there was a clear solution which was not offered. And we all found it rude that there wasn't an apology.
3. The drinks are mega over-priced (but the food is cheap...so maybe it balances out)
4. Someone had the burger with pulled pork, but the burger was dry, to quote the customer "a burger shouldn't suck the moisture from your mouth". Whilst it might not be the place you go for a nice rare piece of beef, you don't expect seriously overcooked.

Now, for the good points, also listed:

1. The food was very reasonably priced,
2. The waiter/welcommer on the door was really nice and helpful,
3. It is in a great location and the layout of the venue is great, however shouting over the music to talk got annoying...quickly. 
4. It was 10/10 for food porn, everything brought out from the kitchen looked great.

Overall, I am glad I have eaten there, and as it is new I can look over the flaws and hope things get better over time.