Sara Damiani
Google
I’m not usually one to leave reviews, especially negative ones, but unfortunately I feel the need to share a comment about tonight’s dinner experience.
Premise: table booked online, time offered by the website was 7:30 pm for a 90-minute slot, with the venue closing at 9:00 pm.
We arrived on time, placed our order and started eating. At 8:10 pm, a waitress came over and asked us to pay. We were a bit surprised, but we paid.
At 8:20 pm, she began clearing the plates—even though my partner was still eating—and we had to point it out.
At 8:25 pm, my water glass was taken away while I was still drinking, and shortly after, they turned off the music.
I understand there are closing times to respect, but if the venue offers a 7:30 pm booking for a 90-minute dinner, I expect to be able to enjoy the meal at a relaxed pace, and at least have the option to order another drink. (I understand the kitchen may close earlier for obvious reasons, and I’m not complaining about that.)
If the real intent is to close the venue by 8:30 pm, then I would kindly suggest not offering bookings at 7:30 pm for a 90-minute slot, as this sets different expectations for the customer.
I’ve worked in the hospitality industry for years, both across Australia and Europe. I know how venue closures work, and I also know that clearing glasses and drinks while guests are still using them should be the very last step of the process.