My husband *really* wanted to experience Sunday Roast while visiting London this time. This is us, so we, of course, did a ton of research before agreeing on and making a reservation for Oxbo.
We decided before-hand to skip the champagne add-on, as we had a night of boozing ahead of us, and neither of us wanted to go into a booze-filled night already booze-laden.
Things started out pretty well but quickly went to pot. When we arrived, we were taken to a table close to the all-you-can-eat sides and dessert tables. The table was on the other side of a wait-staff station, as well, so we thought we were perfectly situated. We couldn't have been more wrong.
Ooh, foreshadowing.
The restaurant started to fill up right after we placed our entree orders (we both went with the sirloin of Gloucester beef, of course). We had confirmed with the hostess, the main server who showed us to our table and the other waiter that we'd be passing on the champagne. Yes, we're sure. No, we're not interested in reconsidering. Yes, for really real, we're going to pass.
And it was at that time that we became invisible. Or our little table was sucked into another dimension, where we could see and hear everybody else in the room, but not one person in the room could see or hear us. I mean, that's the only reason to explain away the complete lack of attention and assistance over the next hour.
We were the *only* table in that restaurant that day who had declined the bubbles. And that apparently meant that we weren't worthy of service. Because trying to flag down the main guy or our waiter for a refill on water (gasp! only water? heathen!) or to ask for extra gravy for the roast, or to get the check was at once frustrating and exhausting.
In the end, my husband had to actually get out of his chair and follow the main server guy to another table to get his attention, and our check. The truly disgusting thing is that the table right next to us - I mean literally, *right next to our table* - spent their lunch hour getting exemplary service from the same guy that continuously ignored us.
The only saving grace is that the food was actually pretty good. If you leave hungry, that's totally on you, as the side dish and dessert tables were filled to overflowing and constantly replenished.
For side dishes, you can choose from salads, fresh fish, shrimp, and bread. I put a hurtin' on the fish offerings - sashimi grade salmon, mackerel and tuna - and enjoyed every second of both plates.
The roast was cooked well and full of flavor, though they were super skimpy with the gravy (hence the frustrating and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to flag down someone to request extra).
The dessert bar was a waste by the time I was done with my meal, but I felt compelled to give it a go, as the desserts were rather pretty to look at. I picked up a couple small pastry-type items (they have a candy bar, as well), but realized straightaway that there was no way I'd be cramming anything else into my stomach.
If I were to rate based on the food alone, I'd give them a solid 4 stars. But a huge part of the experience is the way we're treated, and being treated like garbage for 90% of our time there is not going to result in a good rating or review. read more