The Grenadier, Belgravia

I have been a pretty regular visitor to The Grenadier for the last four years or so, and I hold it in the highest esteem. The beers and food are decent, the clientele are an eclectic, but friendly mix, and the pub's interior and exterior are utterly charming.

This said, after several visits over the last couple of months, it has taken a horrific turn for the worse because of its staff. Perhaps I have just been lucky in the past, but of late I have encountered quite intolerable rudeness and incompetence. Aside from one incredibly friendly and helpful barmaid/waitress, the staff are gruff and shouty without reason, ignore those waiting for drinks, instead preoccupying themselves with tasks which are quite clearly not pressing (restacking full glass shelves, counting receipts, etc), and are perpetually surly.

The notable offenders are the rather slow chap who looks a little like Harry Enfield, and the landlord and landlady. This couple are two of the most unhelpful and antagonistic people I have ever encountered. It is entirely understandable to have one's own unique rules (no photography, no straying beyond a certain tree outside), but there is no need to deafeningly berate polite foreign tourists for not knowing about them. It is a pub with a proud military tradition, and a strong contingent of regulars are servicemen, but this does not justify the lambasting which I witnessed the curmudgeonly landlord dish out to a poor young fellow who happened to be wearing a military-style coat when, to quote the landlord, he "hadn't even f***ing served". If he were running a pub frequented by unruly sorts who regularly required a heavy hand to keep under control, this sort of crass aggression would just about be understandable. As it is, however, the usual crowd is extremely polite, easy-going and civilised.

I must emphasise that the impression I have just given is based only slightly on experiences in which I was directly involved, but moreso on what I have witnessed being suffered by the many other customers. It is an all-encompassing rudeness! I should also point out that I enjoy the stereotypical English "reservedness" (I probably display it myself), but that has never been a synonym for impoliteness.

I truly hope they change their ways.

24 Jul 2009 13:53