Review by Steve Read from Burley, New Forest, England
We were on a day trip to London taking in Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament and then finishing with a show, so we thought it would be nice to get near to the theatre and relax over a good meal and a few drinks.
My wife saw an Aberdeen Angus Steak House near to The Prince of Wales Theatre and said that she had always had a good meal at Aberdeen Angus Steak Houses, so we thought we would visit. The outlet in question was next door to TGI Friday’s, which we now wished we had gone to.
The welcome from the staff was well below average and we were “plonked” in a very hot and uncomfortable restaurant. A member of staff eventually arrived with menus, then a while later someone came to see if we wanted anything to drink and then another while later someone arrived with 2 small bread rolls and rock hard butter portions, which were charged at £1 per person.
The restaurant was extremely hot and although there were 2 or 3 fans placed around the place, there was not enough to cover the huge area and many customers were fanning themselves with menus, wine lists etc.
The menus made no mention that chips/jacket/potatoes were extra and the fact that we were just paying for a steak and a small side salad.
Our steaks arrived with our side orders, which in our opinion were well over-priced, for what we received and my wife’s medium steak was rarer than my medium-rare one. We pointed this out to a member of staff, who did not seem to care too much and took it away for what was obviously re-flashing over the grill or extra cooking in a microwave. The chips and onion rings were reheated in the friers and then the meal returned, by which time I had nearly finished. The steak was still under cooked, however we were so hot and uncomfortable by this time, that we just wanted o get out and get some fresh air.
I needed to cool off, so I visited the gents toilets to wash my hands and face, however these toilets were extremely messy with several taps not working and no working hand-driers or alternative drying facilities at all, which just about finished me off.
I returned to our table and asked for the bill, even though my wife was still eating. We checked the bill thoroughly and decided just to pay it and then write and complain later, as we did not feel we would have got anywhere with the staff that were on duty.
We are sure that Trading Standards would be very interested to know that they are advertising and charging Coke’s/Diet Coke’s as pints and only serving them in 16oz glasses. Per fluid ounce, they should only be £2.20 and not £2.75, £1.10 per ever 2 glasses of coke is a great deal of money.
Finally, there was no good-bye from any staff and in fact, the person on the reception desk near the door, just turned to the window and ignored us.