Disappointing Restaurant : (

[Smowball]

My son and his gf came to stay yesterday and they haven't been for so long so I wanted to take them for a really nice meal today. I booked one of Mr Smow and mines favourite restaurants. We've never even had a bad meal and it's a really quirky place so lots to look at. When we arrived we noticed straight away that it was absolutely freezing, literally so cold that nobody would take their coats off. I looked around and other people had also kept their coats on. I spoke to a member of staff who I'd never seen before and she said she was sorting it but it neved did come on.
Then the waitress came to take our orders. You would have never known she actually worked there as she was dressed in such a casual outfit that I honestly thought she was there for a meal or drink with a mate. She later arrived with the food and straight away my son spotted a hair on his basket of chips(he'd ordered beer battered fish n chips) . He shows us to check before he says anything and yes it is indeed a hair. Calls her over and she apologises and goes to get a fresh batch but by the time they come he's eaten the fish!
I didn't want to cause a scene with my son and gf being guests but If I'd been just with hubby I'd have been far more vocal.
Feeling v disappointed that the lovely meal I'd looked forward to taking them for was such an anti climax.

[corylus]

Well at least you'll know not to go there again.

[murraymints]

hope you did not pay in full..I wouldn't..but then if it was that cold I would not have stayed

[Eleena]

That's a shame Smow, it's disappointing when you've been before and know it to be good. Has it changed hands?

[Samuraisan]

Sometimes happens. Especially when you look foward to something so much. Never mind !! You had your son and gf with you for an evening out. That's quality time.

[Smowball]

They didn't offer a discount or anything so I've waited till son has left to go home and I've rang them and left a message for the manager to call me.

[Eleena]

Good!

[emmie]

wasn't because its the bank holiday? turned off the heating, and had casual staff on.
I wouldn't have sat there admittedly if it was that cold.
certainly wouldn't have paid full whack.

[Tilly2]

You should not have paid the full price, Smow. You could have asked to speak to the manager there and then. It could have been done without a fuss. Just a simple statement that the meal was unsatisfactory and you are were prepared to pay the bill as it stood.

[Buenchico]

It would never even occur to me to complain about a single hair among a portion of chips. It wouldn't matter whether it was McDonald's or Le Gavroche. I'd simply remove it and carry on eating!

[Eleena]

I can tell you Smow, had I found a hair in my meal, I wouldn't be able to eat anything at all. The embarrassment is when you have someone there that's not family, if it were just you and your son then I imagine you would have complained. That's so annoying x

[melv16]

The moral of this story is; never go out for a meal on a bank holiday.
Sorry if I sound judgmental.

[Tilly2]

You don't sound judgmental, Melv. You sound like a Yorkshireman.

[whiskeryron]

What's worse than finding a moth in your chips ? Ans- finding half a moth in your chips.

[Eleena]

Omg Ron ... bleugh!

[Islay]

You should have complained there and then - what do you expect the manager to do after you have gone?
He has no evidence that there were issues you could have been trying it on.
When I was in catering people complaining after the fact was a real bug bear

[mikey4444]

Its our famous British reserve that allows places like this to continue in business.

In your place, I would seen the owner/manager, in as much privacy as was possible, and pointed out your problems. You do yourself and other potential diners no favours at all by keeping quiet about such a bad experience.

[ummmm]

I'm the same as Chris. I would have removed the hair and the chip it was on and carried on eating.

[Berniecuddles2]

and thats why we never go out for a meal on bank holidays and espescially xmas day staff dont want to be there or its stand in staff who dont give a t**s !

[Smowball]

If it was my meal then maybe but it was sons and I could see straight away he wasn't going to just remove it so not a lot I could do.

[ummmm]

But the staff can't stop a hair falling out regardless if they are happy to be there or not.

It's just one of those things.

The staff should have taken the fish back as well and kept it warm while they cooked fresh chips.