Roland A.
Yelp
Evicted by the manager of Chequers after 85 minutes on Sunday 11th December we spent £143.25 on lunch, manger demanded the table back at 1.50 p.m. for other diners. We had 12.30 booking website states tables are for two hours. In our early 60s, we took a weekend break in Bath. Booked Sunday lunch at Chequers as reviews excellent. Arrived at 12.20 shown upstairs table, small, crowded tables, it looked into the kitchen, we've owned several restaurants, so nice seeing chefs at work. Ordered cocktails, starters, main courses, and bottle of wine. Downhill, from there, a party of 7 with a large Golden Retriever stood around our table, arguing with staff who insisted booking was 5, dog wet, smelt badly and lay down under our table. Staff moved two young diners and rearranged tables to seat the 7. Quietly I told the waiter we would be happy to move and were moved downstairs. Wrong roasts arrived and swapped elsewhere, when our roasts arrived, beef was tough with grizzle, I did not complain as it was part of birthday treat. After desserts, waiter asked if we wanted coffee, said yes, but please give us 5 minutes to finish wine. Waiter said he would see how many minutes we had left, as you only have 1.5 to 2 hours, came straight back saying table needed in 10 minutes but would send the manger over. Manager told us to leave in 5 minutes and they had already moved us. I said the table was upto two hours and we moved owing to dog under our table. He stated, he cannot sanitize dogs and people also smell. I said not to expect a good review and would like to order coffee. Manager stated we don't care about reviews, don't read them, then told us we were being evicted. He repeated this 3 times, I asked why, he said as a publican it is his right, gave no reason, would not give his name. We had not raised our voices or been impolite during lunch, we paid immediately left at 1.55.p, m., one of the most unpalatable incidents ever experienced in over 35 years of dining out.