Francesca Dronsfield
Google
We had been looking forward to dining here for a special birthday celebration, but unfortunately, our experience left us feeling unwelcome and upset.
Due to a freak storm that caused a complete metro shutdown, we arrived 45 minutes late to our booking. We completely understand that lateness can affect a restaurant’s schedule, and we did everything we could to communicate — we called and emailed twice, and were reassured on the phone not to worry. The email we received also stated we had a 2.5-hour dining window, which gave us hope that we’d still be able to enjoy the evening.
However, when we arrived at 7:17pm, our server told us we only had the table until 8:45pm at best, and even that wasn't guaranteed. The way this was communicated made us feel like a problem rather than valued guests, despite our efforts to keep the team informed.
Trying to make the most of our time, we ordered quickly based on the server’s suggestions and ended up finishing everything within 43 minutes — we were completely done by 8pm. It left us wondering whether we really had to rush like that, especially since our original booking should have allowed us until 9pm.
To add to the discomfort, when I pointed out that my wine glass had a visible crack in it, the server simply poured the wine away and replaced the glass (not the liquid he had poured down the drain) — no apology. It was a small but telling moment that summed up how we were treated: as if we didn’t matter.
Most upsetting of all was the tone and attitude of our server throughout. It felt cold and condescending, and instead of enjoying my birthday meal, I felt anxious and close to tears. We had hoped for a celebratory evening but left feeling like we were barely tolerated.
We understand that restaurants are under pressure and have timing constraints, but a little kindness and understanding go a long way. Sadly, that was missing from our visit.