Restaurant etiquette!!!

[chazza]

I was out for a meal recently in a nice restaurant for my flatmates birthday (in which we spent �200), for which we had bought her a cake, which we had entrusted to the staff on arrival at the restaurant (cake still in the box).

 

After the meal, the staff brought the cake out (minus the box), we ate a slice each and handed it back to the restaurant manager for safekeeping until the end of the night, as we were planning on having a few drinks in the bar of the restaurant.  He assured us that it would be kept in the office and we could have it back at the end of the night, which happened, the cake was returned to us in the original  box.

 

However, when we opened it the next day, we realised that there were 2 perfect sets of teethprints in the cake which were not there before the staff took it away, and which almost made us sick and the cake is unedible.  We dread to think what else was done to it, as it was obviously taken out of the box especially to do this.

 

One of my flatmates thinks we should contact the environmental health and request that whoever did this is fired (assuming they have CCTV in the office as many firms do), as this restaurant has served out food that has been in someone elses mouth, and another thinks we should ask for a refund from the restaurant.  We are definitely going to make a complaint but should i go further?

 

What would you do in our situation?

[Solarjunkie]

Your complaint is with the restaurant, it seems only fair to start there and only progress to Environmental Health if you do not get satisfaction.

[flaming]

How awful!  The thought comes to me that any chef or kitchen staff who would do that might do other naughty things.  The Manager mightn't know in fact they might want revenge on him, knowing that he is going to carry any cans.  The sabotage might have been by someone who was being sacked - that is usually why a sacked person is sent off immediately, in case they do anything vengeful.

Yes the photos and evidence are a must . You could first try ringing the restaurant and sounding out the Manager, to see what his reaction is.  I can't believe he knew and in fact would hardly have given you it back with such obvious evidence if he had have known.  A going concern can't afford to have any food/health charges against it these days, and there is the alcohol licence to think about too - the Manager couldn't afford to fall foul of any by-laws as I believe that would put the licence in jeopardy.  I do hope you get full redress. If he is difficult and you judge that he is standing by the staff, you can go straightaway to the Council, AND the local newspaper.Good luck for the battle.

[chazza]

Thanks for the advice, I just wanted to check that I wasnt being petty, by your answers I dont think I am!

 

I shall get the digital camera out tonight and take some photos, and am phoning the restaurant concerned tonight.  Depending on the outcome, I may or may not make the phone call to the EH.

 

Thanks again!

[maxd]

Chazza

Please let us know how you get on.

[flaming]

Yes, let us know please. Glad you are doing something.  They shouldn't get away with it.

[chazza]

Well i rang last night and was apologised to.  i think the manager was going to leave it at that but i wasnt happy. they are to get back to me later in the week, apparently only a couple of people have keys to where it was kept

[flaming]

good.  Want to hear the end of this.

[chazza]

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