Colin and I decided we fancied a bit of lunch when we were recently at the fort shopping, and so wandered in here for a bite to eat. Without a doubt, this was the worst dining experience of my life.
We were seated about 10 minutes after arriving as the only available table was being cleaned and so we had to wait, which was no problem as Frankie and Benny's has a bar. As soon as we sat down he asked for our order. Like, literally, took us to the table and then asked what we wanted. Can I have a wee look at the menu first? We knew what we both wanted for starters though, and so ordered them and asked for 2 minutes before ordering the mains. About 5 minutes later, with no one having taken our main course order, the starters came out. Colin had the dough balls with a garlic butter, which were crispy and dry; no where near the way they come in Hamilton when they're fluffy and soft, and I had the loaded potato skins which were burnt to the point of blackening. We then ordered our mains, a burger for me and bolognese for Colin, and were told "No problem, we'll bring out your mains once your starters are finished is that okay?". Is that not how a restaurant works?
I managed to salvage a bit of the cheese and bacon from the top of the potato skins, and then had a bit of Colin's to get the burnt taste out my mouth. Our mains came within about 5 minutes, so you just know they're not fresh. The burgers were not freshly made as their shape was too perfect, and Colin's pasta was mediocre at best. I ate about a third of the burger, and was finished as it just tasted a bit foul. I couldn't be bothered complaining as I didn't particularly feel well, but I would've had I felt capable of doing so.
During the course of the meal, it was ridiculously difficult to get our waiter's attention. He seemed better suited to a job where he could just stand about chatting, as that was all he did with the other staff members. Eventually we got another staff member over and asked for the bill, and whilst we were asking her, another staff member came up and started sweeping the table under our feet. I'm sorry, what are you doing? She was at best 16, and I've no idea why she wasn't told off for doing that; it's a restaurant not McDonalds. Our bill was brought over a good 15 minutes after we asked for it by our original waiter, and our two courses each with two drinks each came to £50. In Frankie & Benny's. I could've had a cheaper 3 course dinner in town for that.
Shan't be back here. I would advise you not doing so either unless you're a fan of dreadfully bad service and mediocre at best food. read more