Horrible place. I had to stay there because I was on my lunch break and otherwise wouldn't have had time to eat after I got there. In any other situation I wouldn't have stayed. I don't understand how it stays open, let alone gets good reviews.
It stinks of cooking fat and old food to the point where I had to wash my clothes when I got home just so the smell didn't stick around my house. There is poor wheelchair access and the toilets are out the back up flights of stairs, so not good for wheelchair/walker users or people who can't walk well/unaided. I didn't even get a hello from the uninterested man behind the desk, even though there was only one other table in there being used so he wasn't rushed off his feet.
I noticed while waiting ages to be served that the floor was grimy and poorly maintained despite probably being listed, and the cabinets were ingrained with dust. It was also kind of cold since it was winter outside and apparently there was no heating whatsoever. Actually, not kind of cold, freezing. I NEVER keep my jacket on at a table but I kept my jacket and coat on here.
I ordered a cheese toastie which didn't have much flavour and was really greasy. It hadn't been made to look appealing at all (I know a toastie's a toastie but at least maybe cut it straight and quickly scrape off the burnt cheese). It was accompanied by a pile of those cheap salty crisps. The cakes looked better. They weren't. Dry as hell and stale, and not really that tasty. Even a small independent cafe like this can do better...
I went to the toilet before leaving and the way to get to them is again, covered in thick dust and looks like it hasn't been hoovered properly in years (this bit was carpeted). The toilets had that faint 'toilety' smell (you know- urine, mildew, and stale air) which could've been remedied if they opened the huge sash window that was on the landing? The toilets themselves were VERY unclean. Again, not well hoovered here either.
I went to pay after I gathered up my stuff and the guy still hadn't figured out that thing called 'smiling' as he monotonously told me the price. His poor customer service was to the point of rudeness, he said the bare minimum and every single word out of his mouth sounded completely like 'this is the last place I want to be right now'. Seriously, not everyone's good at customer service I know, but this was almost like a comedy sketch.
In all, terrible service, poor food, and very unappealing hygiene wise. I know this might sound like a weird way to put it, but if I had taken my dog in there with me I wouldn't have wanted him lying on the floor in case HE got dirty.
I go out of my way to tell people planning to visit Newton to avoid this place at all costs. read more