Restaurant Spy

Review:
Family outing, 12 people: five children and seven adults. We had collected the menu earlier in the day, and reserved a table for 7.30. We arrived on time. Having all seen the menu before, we knew what we wanted, so gave our orders at the bar soon after we arrived. We were surprised to be asked to relinquish a credit card at the outset, but my brother-in-law handed his over, and we ordered a round of drinks.Fortunately, we had pencil and paper with us, and the children entertained us all with fortunes and forfeits for the hour and a half we waited for our food. At 8.45 or so, after we'd waited an hour and a quarter, the children were getting hungry, so we asked for some bread and butter. We were not specific, but I suppose we envisaged some French bread with butter on the side. We were surprised to receive three plates of white sliced bread (the kind generically known as Mothers Pride) already buttered (or marged, couldn't be sure) The whole three plates amounted to no more than nine slices, three on each plate, and we only ate half of them. We only let the children have a half slice each, so as not to ruin their appetites. Several things about this place were pretty vile: the mixed grill - which cost £12 - was mingy and dried out, the steak was ordered rare but was hard as nails (and almost as small; the chips were oven chips; there was no salad bar to select from, as promised on the menu, instead we got made up salad which included raw onion which most children don't like, the salmon was almost cold, no doubt because of the time spent hand carving the accompanying radish garnish. Why? The "cappuccino" was regular coffee with aerosol cream squirted on it. No management was visible, we were served by two terrified school leavers - but my brother-in-law paid and we left.

Only when we got back, did he reveal his anger to the rest of us. "Guess how much they charged for the bread and butter?" he asked. Nobody guessed it right, we were all way too low. "£9" he said. "NINE POUNDS? THAT'S ABOUT A POUND A SLICE! In fact, since we only ate half, it's about £2 a slice. What on earth makes them think they can get away with that?" I asked. I wanted to telephone the Manager immediately, but he said there was no point, since there was none, just the two nervous kids who had "served" us. He was livid, but didn't want to take it any further, because he's a peaceful man, more interested in ensuring the children had a good time than worrying about a rip-off, no matter how blatant. But I remain outraged, and have every intention of telling everyone I know of this iniquitous and cynical example of rip off Britain.

At Savoir Faire (qv) in central London the previous day, my husband and I had a very similar meal, but better cooked, served hot and within a reasonable time - home made soup, salmon, dessert - 3 courses for £6.90 - and the French bread was free. How people can maintain that London is expensive as opposed to "honest country food?" defeats me. I have today written to the Manager of the Halland Forge expressing my outrage. If I get a reply, I will post it here of course. Meanwhile, has anyone else experienced a more outrageous item charged on their menu? Rejected. 11th November 2000 DM