The Frog and Forget-Me-Not, Clapham

After the refurb we had high hopes for this pub. And it certainly looked the part from outside. The welcome was friendly, the table clean, but then it all fell apart.

First off it took ages for someone to come and take our drinks order, even though they had seated us, so knew we were there.

Next, we ordered food. Or so we thought. Next thing the waitress was back. "I am just checking I got your order right". We gave it again. Something in what she said next made us realise she had not actually placed it in the first place. Next we saw her go process the order. 45 minutes later we were still waiting so spoke with the bar manager. During this time the people next to us got up and walked out. Eventually (almost past hunger-o'clock) the food arrived. It wasn't bad - wasn't amazing.

So, a facelift may have improved the look, but the service hasn't got any better. Not as rude as under previous management, but now it's just shoddy.

Will not be back.

25 Jul 2010 18:54

Queens Larder, Bloomsbury

Never received such bad service in my life as i did in this dreadful place this evening. To be fair it may have been staff related but it was a terrible experience from start to finish all the same.

First off although the bar was near-empty the barman couldn't serve in order of arrival. So, i stood waiting whilst he served a guy arriving WAY after me.

Secondly, when i came to pay for a large round and i handed over my Amex card, he took it, said nothing, and then after realising they didn't take it he just said "No" as he handed it back. There was no "I'm sorry sir but we don't take Amex"; just "No" which was quite frankly rude.

He then listened in on my conversation with my friends and tried to justify his rubbish service.

I feel awful posting this review because his much younger, taller slimmer colleague was a great barman. However, the shorter older (slightly wierd) fatty was, quite frankly, rude beyond belief without any understanding of his own impact on his customers.

God help this bar with him in gainful employment.

8 Jul 2009 23:42

The Hope, Wandsworth Common

This used to be one of my favourite pubs in the area. HOWEVER, the pub has changed hands AGAIN. Recent experiences have been really poor. On one visit for food our starters and main course food all arrived together, with the staff not knowing what's wrong with that! We gave them the benefit of the doubt and opted for food and drinks at the next pub quiz. Big mistake...
* pub quiz starts an hour late and the hostess with the mostess knows nothing about the answers if challenged
* chef didn't know what the day's fresh veg were (are you cooking them? are they in fact fresh?!)
* when the food did arrive both steaks were completely cold, and as for the veg, well, we never got to find out - they never showed
* when we complained to the bar manager she said 'well sorry, we're busy and it's just the way it is tonight'. What great service!

They are also grossly understaffed so it's difficult to get served at the best of times.

Used to be so lovely, well managed and just generally top. It's amazing how quickly bad management can reverse that. Steer clear!

27 Sep 2007 21:20