The Engineer

A friend had her 30th birthday here (a party of 12). My friend's sister had bought a really nice cake but the manager refused to serve it - saying it was not policy. We had already ordered two courses, plenty of drinks and offered to all buy ice cream and coffees but she point blank refused, changing her mind and saying that as we had the table all night, she wouldn't allow us to have the cake! When we refused to pay the service charge, she simply shrugged her shoulders and said "well it's the staff that suffer not the business" (we had already given the excellent waitress the money in her hand).

I wrote a letter to the owners but heard nothing back. Clearly customer satisfaction is of no concern
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Friday, September 29, 2006

where do they get the staff from here? When i went i sat right next to the reception for 15 minutes and still didn't get anyone come over or say hi. I leant over and asked the waitress if someone had any menus. She responded without looking at me as she was more ineterested in her computer and i was distracting her and said something about someone being over in a minute. Rude is not the word. The manager explained that she was very busy. I explained that how busy can one be that you cant even smile and acknowledge someone. He reiterated that she busy and that was that. Well it was that. We left. Shame as the place is quite cool. Being pleasant costs so little. Well approximately £80 quid as thats we'd have spent had she smiled and just been a little real...GET RID OF YOUR STAFF OR TRAIN THEM!
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david
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, June 21, 2006

The Engineer was recommended by a friend mainly for its garden and good food. I can agree that the garden looked lovely - we didn't actually get to eat there as we were moved indoors as the staff believed it was too cold - surely the customers decision?

The food was at best average - for £16.75 I expect a good piece of sirloin or even a small fillet - available from all good supermarkets for around £5. What I received was certainly not sirloin - three large chunks of gristle indicated to me that it was more likely a slice of brisket! I couldn't eat half of it and what was palatable was well beyond medium rare - in fact grey!

For dessert the profiteroles looked like they could have been served equally well in a hospital cafeteria - sickly sweet with store bought choc sauce - certainly not made al la chef

Overall very disappointed and wouldn't return - for any measure!
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Catherine - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, June 20, 2006

I've had good experiences at The Engineer in the past, but I'm afraid to say I went back there on Saturday to celebrate my bf's birthday with a group of friends and it is 'not' what it used to be & in fact I don't think I will go back again. I fear it's become one of those places that was good, grew very popular, peaked and is now very much on it's way downhill.

Firstly they wouldn't accommodate our group of 10 to eat unless we all had their set menu, even though some of us only wanted a light bite. The manageress was extremely difficult about it even though we'd just had 2 bottles of champagne in their bar. 2 people who didn't want a full meal therefore left us at that point and then we were allowed to eat a la carte. Then came the problem that I'd bought a very decadent, expensive birthday cake with me which I'd had ok-ed when booking, for having at the end of the meal. We were then told, that since we'd eaten a la carte, we weren't allowed to have it. Appalling.

The food: overall was just ok. The chicken salad starter I'd had was of good standard, but the main, the tuna special of the day was bland and tasteless. And in any case the service and lack of discretion we'd received stuck out any good points.

Needless to say we managed to have a good night and enjoyed cake back at our flat, but I would definitely not encourage anyone to book large numbers at The Engineer as they clearly just do not know how to deal with them.

Pity.
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N.Ahn
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, May 08, 2006

The engineer is a pleasant modern relaxed pub/restaurant. The food looks and taste incredible and the service is great!!
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Kate
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 14, 2006

The food here is yummy though overpriced. The pubby atmosphere and service were fine. Reservations advisable. Seared scallop appetizer was amazing and melted in our mouths. Polenta was moyen and roasted duck breast was outstanding. Succulent in its juices. Steak was fatty for the price though came with remarkably seasoned bearnise sauce.
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JH - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Monday, January 02, 2006

the food was not well cooked ,the service took forever and none of the veg side orders materialised.the staff were inadequate,and unhelpfull.

overpriced,and not worth a second visit...
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mark rowan
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, November 30, 2005