2 /5 James Ferguson: We chose this restaurant on Friday evening to celebrate my birthday, having heard excellent recommendations from friends and colleagues and having read very positive recent reviews. Sadly, our experience did not live up to expectations.
On arrival, the welcome felt somewhat underwhelming, and we were seated beneath a speaker where conversation was difficult until we asked for the volume to be reduced.
The evening started promisingly. The waiter who took our drinks order was knowledgeable and helpful, and the waitress who guided us through the menu was excellent, clear, confident, and engaging. Unfortunately, the service became increasingly disjointed from that point on.
Our table was booked for 18:15, yet by 20:15 we had still not received our mains and had to ask how much longer they would be. One guest, who had ordered only a main course, waited over two hours for food, which is simply not acceptable. When the mains did arrive, they were served in stages rather than together.
My wife and I both ordered the 500g rump steak, priced at £67.50. Regrettably, it was the poorest cut of beef I have ever been served, excessive sinew, extremely difficult to cut, and almost impossible to chew. I was unable to finish mine as it was effectively inedible. This was particularly disappointing given the price point and the fact that the rest of the table enjoyed their dishes.
Dessert service followed a similar pattern. Four of us ordered the apple cake and were encouraged to start before the ice cream melted, while the remaining two desserts had yet to arrive. After several minutes with no sign of them, we had to chase this up. By the time the final desserts arrived, the rest of us had already finished to prevent the ice cream from melting completely. Again, the issue was not quality but coordination.
There is no doubt that much of the food was delicious, but dining out is about the overall experience. Unfortunately, the prolonged waits and lack of synchronised service significantly detracted from what should have been a special birthday celebration.
I do not usually leave negative reviews, but on this occasion I feel it is important to share an honest account. I hope this feedback is taken constructively.