An unfortunate start to the evening (but we learnt the reason later).
Friends had booked for 20:30, on the basis there were no tables available at 19:30. So a table for 4 was required. When we arrived, the place was packed. I do think that they do have too many tables situated close together. There were people sat at tables for 4, when there were only 2. We were placed at a table for 8. Not particularly conducive to conversation. The noise was tremendous from the number of people, but the "muzak" was somewhat subdued. Being a card-carrying hearing aid person, I couldn't distinguish the sounds. There is nothing to soak up the general chatter/noise. The muzak isn't really required.
The serving staff, came back to us after 30 minutes apologising for the wait for our table. However, we did have drinks fairly quickly from when we arrived.
Eventually they persuaded a couple of women to move to a table for 2, and the table for 4 was cleaned and prepared for our move.
The reason for this chaos? The booking system had gone down earlier, and they couldn't see who had booked, and people came in saying they had booked, when later it was found that they hadn't. So, then tables were occupied that were originally reserved. Lesson learnt: Get an early printout of the bookings for the evening in case it happens again.
There was one point I asked for a small glass of Malbec (to go with my steak), and a glass of white wine arrived....
I had a full loyalty card for a two course à la carte, which meant £19.90 was removed from the bill.
The food was excellent. I had:
Pâté de Campagne £5.95
Home-made coarse pâté using four cuts of pork and pistachio nuts, served with cornichons and
sourdough toast
and
Pavé de steak £16.50
8oz rump steak (best cooked slightly rare)
The latter I said I would have blue if 28 days old, and rare if 21 days old. Stupidly I didn't look at the menu, and would have realised it was 21 days. Nevertheless, it was cooked perfectly, and was better than some alleged 21-day old steaks I've had in the past.
The staff were superb, and nothing was too much trouble. As I said earlier the place was packed, and they coped remarkably well, given the problems with the systems.
Shame on those customers that took advantage of the situation, and on that basis, I am not dropping any points. read more
