2 /5 franklyn forrest: My friend and I visited the restaurant to take advantage of the £17 special offer prominently advertised both outside and inside the establishment, which includes a starter, main dish, side dish, and a choice of rice or naan bread.
Upon arriving and expressing our interest in the offer, we were informed that it was available for cash payments only—despite no such restriction being mentioned on any of the signage. The staff kindly waived this requirement for us on this occasion.
When placing our order, I inadvertently forgot to specify the side dish, as I had ordered both rice and naan bread under the assumption that one might count toward the included side. Upon realizing that the naan would incur an additional charge, I politely asked if I could add the intended side dish. The waiter responded that I would still be charged extra for it, without reviewing the order note to confirm it had indeed been omitted. Sensing some tension, I decided not to pursue the matter further and simply proceeded with the order as it stood.
Later, I quietly mentioned to another member of staff that there appeared to have been some miscommunication and that the waiter taking our order had seemed a little abrupt. Shortly afterward, the original waiter returned to our table and confronted me about the conversation, stating that I had told the colleague he (the waiter) that I was upset about the situation. This exchange made the atmosphere considerably more uncomfortable. I attempted to diffuse the matter by explaining it was merely a misunderstanding and suggesting we move on, but I felt the waiter continued to glance in our direction throughout the remainder of the meal, which detracted from our enjoyment.
When the bill arrived, the total was higher than expected based on the advertised offer and our order. However, by this point we chose not to challenge it, as we wished to avoid further confrontation.
Overall, what should have been a pleasant and value-for-money dining experience was marred by poor communication, unnecessary rigidity regarding the offer, and an uncomfortable interaction with staff. I hope this feedback is taken constructively to improve future visits.
