50 years of dining out throughout the world, including many undeveloped countries in Africa, this is the worst.
We 'happened' on the Island Bar and Restaurant in Reading at about 5pm on a Sunday 29th May 2011 for a drink after a very pleasant day walking the Thames towpaths. Should have been warned by the initial poor amateurish service at the bar but wasn't so went to the bar for a second round after a yoof retrieved our empty glasses from our table on the very pleasant river terrace. Having secured the glasses and stepped a pace or two away the previously silent yoof muttered "if we want another drink get it from the bar". As is often the case in this kind of circumstance, I thought this was another chance to contribute in a small way to the micro habilitation of that section of the nation's yoof who have had the misfortune to have a childhood in the nineties and naughties. I thought probably from a tribe culturally isolated and hemmed in by soaps, red tops, reality tv etc., and this may indeed be his first job.
Having finished the second drink, we decided to look at the menu, although pricey (could be building our illusions) and concluded would fulfill our need to take on some calories before 2 hour drive back to south coast. We went inside to tables laid with white linen and an array of wine glasses fostered an illusion that this was going to get busy.
My partner ordered the soup of the day which was served in one of those very large soup plates with a 6inch lip. This was decorated with pinches of paprika pepper in the fashionable way popularised by our tv chefs. The soup had the characteristics of those good 'fresh' soups found in the supermarket chiller cabinets. My whitebait was good with a mediocre 'salad' garnish. Paprica, the universal whitebait condiment was not offered and getting the hang of things I did'nt ask, having had to get up and go and ask for salt and pepper condiments.
It got worse after the first dish, my partners second dish (asparagas +) was burnt so much had to be returned - replacement was edible. My black pudding chiritzo salad I would describe as average for a greasy spoon outlet.
It did not get busy - there was worryingly few people there, with hindsight I'd say the locals have sussed it.
On finishing I asked to see the manager/owner who obligingly came right over to our table. His response (summarised) to my observations about the service was that his was not in an upmarket restaurant as we thought but in an establishment at a much lower end of the market. Therefore our expectations were wrong and in any case he had difficulties getting and retaining staff.
What a waste of location. By all means enjoy a drink on the terrace and soak up the ambiance of the Thames but find somewhere else to eat! read more
