"I reserved a table in November for a party of 15 people, table booked for lunch on 7th December. This was to celebrate my friend 's 40th birthday. I paid £75 deposit. I sent our chosen menu choices a week before. On arrival, we were told our table was upstairs. Nobody took us up, we went up to a 'C ' shaped table arrangement in a very cold room. The tables were dirty with crumbs and only had menus on, no cutlery, no napkins etc. A waitress then came upstairs and I said that sadly, due to illness (COVID), 3 people were not able to join us and I understood they would lose their deposit. I emailed the restaurant in the morning to inform them that 2 could not attend but I was only told about 30 mins before about the 3rd person. We the asked the waiter (who was the only helpful member of staff) if we could put the tables together as it really was not suitable and felt as though we were in a board room. We were told we could so we moved them together. The food then arrived, 2 portions at a time, with large gaps in between. Nobody could eat as there was no cutlery. As you will see from the picture, we had empty tables with menus, why would we just need a menu when we had pre ordered! We were then told they cutlery had just been in the dishwasher and was being emptied. We were not offered drinks, told to go to the bar or order on the app. Some of the meals were fine but I had the chilli which I have had before on many occasions. It was very dry and clearly overcooked in the oven to warm up. The rice was soggy and the bread was stale around the edges. The next stage was a shock. We all went downstairs to pay. I was then told that I had to stay as I had to pay for the 3 meals for the people who were poorly. I said that surely, that is why we paid a deposit. The waitress who was rude, made no eye contact and said she would speak to her manager who was siting in the restaurant and eating her lunch. She came back and said it was policy that I had to pay. I refused. The manager did not have the decency to come and talk to us, she just watched. The whole experience was awful. I have eaten here numerous times in the past and never had any issue. We paid good money for this and everyone said they would not return. Such a shame as we all ate there last Christmas and it was perfect. I am not sure if the management has changed but it really does need sorting out. It was not busy downstairs so that is not an excuse either. This happened two days ago and I am still very unhappy as it ruined a special occasion which was arranged a month ago."
