special evening spoiled by restaurant - compensation?

[Kristal53]

Hi
A few weeks ago we planned a speciall night out with a few friends - there are a couple of vegetarians, including me, in our group, so we went online and picked a top class local restaurant whose online menu showed some nice veggie options. When we got there and started to order we were told that the veggie options were no longer available -it was saturday night 8pm so no chance of booking anywhere else. The Kitchen said they could provide a couple of alternatives - grilled cheese with chips or a noodle salad -this is a 5* establishment by the way, not a pub. We reluctantly ordered the noodles, which came covered in cold shop bought sweet chili sauce. No appologies and no freebies - we were charged the full price for a main course - the same as our fellow diners eating tenderloin steak and lamb. When I complained they said they were under no obligation to offer what was on the online menu as it was just an example- is this correct? to have an online menu that tempts diners to book is surely minor fraud? what official governing body could i complain to, if any?

[jackthehat]

Have you had another look at the website?
There is usually a disclaimer about the dishes available.....

[piggynose]

i hope someone can advise you, because that would also make my blood boil!!

[jno]

if it says "sample menu only", as lots do, then you should probably have called up in advance to ensure they were doing the sort of menu you can live with. But you could argue that a restaurant that includes veggie options online but not in real life is being misleading.

[piggynose]

it always worth a visit to the cab, citizens advice bureau.

[ummmm]

Why did you pay?

[rowanwitch]

I think I'd have sent everything back and walked out... any restaurant worth going to could rustle up better veggie alternatives... are you telling me they didn't have flour, butter, eggs, cheese and onions... maybe some tomatoes for a cheese tart or the makings of roast vegetables on a bed of rice seasoned with a few spices...

Your best comeback is to write to the local papers and hope it gets published and any food guides that include them..

[rojash]

The time to act was when you paid the bill. You have the right to pay only what you think the meal is worth, and if the restaurant disagrees, their only recourse is to sue you. I've done this a number of times when I've received poor value, and never actually been sued for the difference.

[rowanwitch]

saying that Rojash I actually had a meal about a month ago where we went out back and tipped the cook almost the value of the meal again... it was one of the finest things I'd eaten in my whole life... a simple lamb and leek pie with fresh new potatoes but perfect ...divine ...and I've been to some pretty big retaurants that have come no where close

[piggynose]

i´m with you rowan, there are many chefs who rarely get praised for their wonderful creations. well done for tipping one.

[ummmm]

Is it still the case that if you refuse to pay for a meal you only have to leave your name and address?

[Old_Geezer]

I guess they are under no obligation to maintain their reputation and level of business either. If the facts are as you state then maybe it would be best to let it be known the excessive care and attention they lavish on their valued customers.

In fairness if a veggie meal was vital, you (or whoever booked) should have checked when they called to book: but the restaurant don't seem to have been very sympathetic for a 5*, or for any level for that matter. At the very least the bill should have reflected the course supplied.

Oh and yes although legal, it takes a brave soul to pay less than the bill demands; I'm unsure that is a fair option for most public individuals to be expected to take.

[rojash]

RowanWitch, I absolutely agree. Speaking up is not only about the bad things; if you are impressed by the service, the food, or whatever, always make a point of telling them. And if there's one thing I hate, it's people who are rude (or even just offhand) to the staff.

[MarkRae]

Name and shame! Which restaurant? You should certainly give them an honest review, if for no other reason than to warn other vegetarians to stay away...

[Kristal53]

hi and thanks for the replies - I actually gave them a scathing review on trip advisor. As for paying - well it was one of those cases where everyone chipped in for the whole bill - difficult not to chip in your portion when there are eight of you -well the starter was nice but you can'r really go wrong with houmus and crusty bread. and I agree - no kitchen does not have the ingredients for a quick veggie meal - think it was just laziness -some of these restaurants have such an attitude, but I'm learning, and will in future be a bit more assertive. BTW -i also in the past have congratulated a chef when a meal has been excellant. think i will just put this down to experience and maybe sneak a few more bad reviews onto trip advisor lol!

[joko]

similar thing happened to me in an expensive place on my birthday...boyfriend checked an was told there were optopns...but there was nothing on the menu!....was offered fried veg, on rice, potato or wrap...clearly cobbled tpgether...we walked out

[welshlibranr]

you should have refused to pay!.......I would have!....and I would have made a scene too!......

[JonnyBoy12]

I am with Mark on this one. Name and shame them. They are answerable to a governing body........us paying customers! If we know who they are then we will not go there again, will we?

[trt]

Whats the name of the restaurant and where, we can all give them a bit of stick?

[Andyvon]

My first wife was vegetarian and we found that restaurants either welcome vegetarians or they don't. I'm sure it's the same now.

Restaurants are usually private businesses and they have the right to refuse some customers if they want to. My wife and I operated a chauffeur business and there were groups of people we refused to deal with - drunks for example or customers who had a reputation for treating drivers badly, smoking in the cars or not paying accounts. As a private business that was our right and we were happy everyone knew we didn't accept certain groups as passengers.

It's the same with the restaurant Kristal. If you put the word around that they don't treat vegetarians well that will probably suit the restaurant just fine. They don't want to cater for vegetarians, they probably don't need to and they don't care who knows it! That's their right I'm afraid.

[ummmm]

C'mon...you have no right to give it stick unless you've been. 95% of the customers that day could have been 100% satisfied.