I THOUGHT York was supposed to be reliant on tourism, yet I took two overseas friends out for lunch and was appalled by the "service" we received at the Punch Bowl Inn, Stonegate.

When I ordered steak pie, I was asked if I preferred mashed potatoes or chips.

Yet when my friend ordered Yorkshire pudding with sausage and chips and asked if he could have mash instead of chips the answer was an emphatic: "No". So he asked for a side order of mash and was again told this was not possible. He was told it would create a problem with the accounting.

My other friend ordered a large glass of wine, and later, a second glass. Then we noticed a small sign on the table that advised if you bought two large glasses of said wine, you got the rest of the bottle free. We asked the waiter about this and were told: "You have to order the two glasses at the same time".

When we questioned how one was to know this he replied that the bar staff should have advised us. I guess the Punch Bowl doesn't give away too much wine. Anyway, a glass of wine costs £3.30, a bottle costs £6.60, so why all the hassle?

This is no way to encourage customers to return. I shall never take anyone else in there again.

D Taylor,

Lower Darnborough Street,

Clementhorpe, York.

Updated: 11:18 Wednesday, August 04, 2004