Awful "pre-paid" meal out - what do you do next??

daisymoomoo

So this is the story.

My friend organised and pre-paid for her hen night in a restaurant & comedy club in the North West of England.

We all went along (all 33 of us).

We were put onto 2 tables (understandable - we were a big group & we knew this in advance) - the problems we had were ridiculous.

Initially 4 of the starters on table 2 had to be sent back as the chicken was raw - not just slightly pink, but predominantly the fleshy pink colour.

The 1st table got their main course and we were left sitting on table 2. When the food did begin to come out, the 1st table were close to finishing theirs. But there were problems with ours - the pork was served pink & when sent back to the kitchen by the girl sat next to me, she was told by staff "you should have asked for it well done!".

Notwithstanding the meals being sent back, sme members of the party did not get their food until 755 - show was due at 830pm.

The desert plate was put out & we were rushed from the table to the show, we couldn't finish our meal at the table. The staff stood there with their hands on their hips - watching us (with daggers it seemed) until we left.

When I sent an e-mail of complaint on Sunday about the food & the attitude of the staff - all I got back from the general manager was rudeness & a statement that the 'hen was happy and apologised for the behaviour of her group' - which was a lie because he never spoke to her.

Where do you go next??

I don't think you should put up with food which will cause you to get sick or bad, rude service - but the Manager is unwilling to take any of this on board.

Please advise/help!

Freddie_Snowbits

Normally if I organise a night out, I have to stay sober, in the first thing. I pay a deposit and give a meal list to the establishment( I would collect off all guests sufficient to pay for the evening, but not drinks). It seems this has been done. The leader, then would pay on the night. On occassions, some places enfore a service charge, for that I would expect the service. i normally mix during the evening, ensuring that guests food is of the required standard.

If the food is not as desired ot other aspects, I would deal with it on the night and deduct accordingly ( I would refund the affected the following day). Was your meal dealt with on the night?

pinkshoes

Is the restaurant an independent one, or part of a chain?

If a chain, I would put the complaint in writing, sending a copy to both the restaurant and headquarters. I would also detail the rude response from the manager in your complaint.

It's one of those things restaurants think they can get away with, as brides want their perfect hen nights, and complaining is admitting it wasn't perfect.

daisymoomoo

Thanks for the reply. I did not organise it - the Hen did & she per-paid the whole amount in full for the meal & the show. On the night we actually had no time to discuss the problems as we were literally pushed from the table, with our deserts in our hands to the auditorium. We did attempt to discuss the matter of the undercooked pork with a member of waiting staff - his response was 'the chef would not agree'.

The establishment is 1 of 2 in the UK - very well known as well & when I lived in London I used to go to that branch all the time so was really pleased when I found out we were going there for the hen night - felt bad about complaining - but now i'm just angry!

Freddie_Snowbits

Did the Hen pay on a credit card, if so get her to raise a dispute. I know this can be a bit fraught, but the meal was a disaster, so at least if she gets some money back, you can have a decent curry later on

daisymoomoo

Just out of curiosity if someone replied to you with this statement, would you assume that they had been in touch with the Hen?

"Thank you for your comments which are a stark contrast to those of your hen who was mortified by the behaviour of her group, and who apologised profusely on their behalf."

daisymoomoo

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Did the Hen pay on a credit card, if so get her to raise a dispute. I know this can be a bit fraught, but the meal was a disaster, so at least if she gets some money back, you cvan have a decent curry later on

No, she is a strictly cash girl - collected all the cash from us months ago and went in and paid

Freddie_Snowbits

Sounds like a standard response to me.

To me sems the establishment caters only for the 'quickie', i.e., those of yoius about to get hitched and as such, does not expect too much repeat custom.

For the girls on this bored sake, name the joint please to see if others have had problems there.

(freda close yer lugs and get on with the ironing)

kutsu119

What's wrong with pork served pink?

Chicken, fair enough, but pork is fine pink.

daisymoomoo

kutsu119 wrote: »

What's wrong with pork served pink?

Chicken, fair enough, but pork is fine pink.

Not if the juices are pink & at the end of the day if you want you meat cooked properly it is your choice as the consumer??? isn't it?

daisymoomoo

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Sounds like a standard response to me.

To me sems the establishment caters only for the 'quickie', i.e., those of yoius about to get hitched and as such, does not expect too much repeat custom.

For the girls on this bored sake, name the joint please to see if others have had problems there.

(freda close yer lugs and get on with the ironing)

The Comedy Store Manchester