Bad christmas meal

967stuart

Morning all.

Just wanted to know your thoughts on this.

Quick bit of background:

Paid in advance for 7 people to eat Xmas day dinner at a chain pub.

The starters were nearly all missing ingredients (fish was missing capers, soup was missing croutons, cheesy garlic bread was missing the cheese... you get the picture)

Mains all had to be sent back as they hadn't cooked the potatoes (was advertised as "Goose Fat Home Cooked Potatoes)... what turned up was just boiled potatoes.
They then returned with our meals (same plates of food). The spuds had been burnt somehow (blowtorch?).

The mains were also all missing ingredients (no stuffing, no ham etc.)

The manager has called to say they has big problems with food and staff on the day and have offered us £25 back each (meal was £65 per person) she's said that in her opinion 'that's fair'

What do you guys and gals think?
I kinda feel annoyed we had to pay up front, because If it had been a normal sunday roast type meal out, I think we'd have just sent the food back and left...

hollydays

I'm not sure how you'd quantify it, I'd probably take it and put it down to a bad experience .

missbiggles1

I think that's a pretty fair offer, although I suppose you could try and negotiate an extra £5 or so on top.

967stuart

Yeah, I'm fairly ok with it to be fair. (the £25pp refund)
I think because the fact it was Christmas day and it was such a let down (was pretty embarrassing sending it all back... never had to do that anywhere before) that I'm feeling they could maybe do more.

Real shame, the place is normally great but they seemed to have been taken over (unbeknownst to us at the time) and it has taken a nose dive.

Will just have to avoid in the future.

mumps

Was it worth £40 a head? Sounds dire to me so I don't think I would be happy, its not just that the food was substandard its the hassle as well.

967stuart

Was £65 per person.
They've offered £25 back per person.

DaftyDuck

I don't think that is enough. A "special occasion" was involved, and the food was a fundamental part of that; the food was of poor quality, and admitted as such.

However, whether they will offer more is beyond guessing.

tomtontom

mumps wrote: »

Was it worth £40 a head? Sounds dire to me so I don't think I would be happy, its not just that the food was substandard its the hassle as well.

I guess much of the premium was because of the day, our local charges £60 for little more than the usual £8 Sunday roast.

OP I'd say the offer was fair, but I'd hope they'd throw in a free Sunday lunch to encourage you to return.

mumps

tomtontom wrote: »

I guess much of the premium was because of the day, our local charges £60 for little more than the usual £8 Sunday roast.

OP I'd say the offer was fair, but I'd hope they'd throw in a free Sunday lunch to encourage you to return.

If they charge a premium for a special occasion then you are entitled to get a meal that is appropriate for the special occasion. I think they broke their contract and I would expect alot more than £25 back.

Andypandyboy

I agree, you also have to factor in "loss of enjoyment" of that occasion which can't be replicated, the day is gone. It is not like a normal Sunday lunch.

I would be looking for more than the £25 and I suspect that the pub know that and expect you to make a counter offer.

Oakdene

If it is a chain, I would seek to complain higher up than the manager. Let the manager who made you the offer know that you are willing to take it further, see what response you get & if you're still not happy contact head office.