S&M Cafe (Spitalfields)

We used to be happy regulars, but since the last three times were just awful, disappointing experiences, I decided to not waste my free time and money on s&m Spitalfields anymore.

Today we were blatantly ignored by all 4 waitresses while half of the tables were unoccupied, so ended up leaving the place, frustrated, after over 10 minutes of waiting for the menu, and many unsuccessful attempts to kindly get their attention.

Ignoring their customers seems to be a thing they are rather good at, as the same thing happened to me twice before - once when I took my whole family to the place when they visited me.

Topped with completely overcooked eggs on our Eggs Royale last time we managed to order eventually, I must admit that very sadly, I will not be visiting this place any more, and will indeed recommend to my friends to choose one of the more attentive breakfast cafés nearby.

It really is a big shame, because the place does have the atmosphere and the marketing worked out :(
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Local Londoner - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Saturday, August 20, 2011

I'm surprised by the poor ratings here. Visited the Spitalfields Market one last night and we thought the food was reasonable. After all, they are (as a deliberate policy) serving old fashioned 60's / 70's English stodge which was never what you'd call inspiring. Certainly none of it was microwaved as described below, it all seemed cooked from scratch (ok they probably don't make their own pastry) and the raw ingredients all seemed good quality. So I was quite happy, left well fed and it's not too expensive either.

The service is "unhurried" - I wouldn't say deliberately inattentive, they're just trying not to rush you. Our waitress was very smiley and friendly.

The clincher is the plastic 1970s tablecloths - they're awesome :-)
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Russ
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Friday, August 19, 2011

After eating a great meal here two years ago decided to return for seconds.

First noticed it had been remodeled,ok but then no bubble and squeak bad start.

Our order was taken quickly by a polite waitress and then two groups also came in and ordered.Things went downhill rapidly ,watched as both groups had drinks and food served whilst we sat waiting.Then after half an hour our breakfast and pancakes and egg arrived. cold undercooked egg and cheap bacon.

Shame they did'nt stick to what they used to do so well,do'nt think a return is in order.
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sam - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Sunday, February 27, 2011

After being invited here by a friend, and after checking the S&M website - i thought this place looked genuinely nice. The 'British' idea of the sausage varieties, with mash and sides looked amazing. However, this was not to be...

After arriving, i waited 15-20 minutes for someone to take my order. When i finally caught the waitresses attention and mentioned my order hadn't been taken (as well as asking for a beer) she gave a sarcastic looking smile, and went off to serve other people. I received my beer 5 minutes later but then had to give my food order to a more 'alert' waitress.

After everyone else in the group had been served, and finished their meals (over 20 people) i received my meal and ate it alone. I asked for the 'gamekeeper' off the menu. The sausages both tasted the same, none of the supposed ingredients were actually apparent in the taste (i couldn't help thinking that the sausage variations in Sainsburys are much tastier) The mash was watery, and of the instant variety and the gravy was also pretty bland (and a bit sugary?) in fact some of the group tried each others gravy and said that each type all tasted the same.

For such a great idea, and great promotion via the website, this place was a real let down. The restaurant felt more like a cafe and for such a small room to deal with,there seemed to be so much confusion by staff. The food was the biggest let down. With such a great formula, this place should have been something special - but i can literally GUARANTEE that you could purchase sausages, spuds and gravy from your local supermarket and have a much more pleasant meal (and surroundings).
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Will
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Monday, March 29, 2010

Went for breakfast with my wife and a colleague this morning. It was truly dreadful. The place had about 10 customers and it took 1/2hr for us to get our breakfast served. It was barely luke warm. We sent it back and the second effort arrived........luke warm. The cook? Well if he was any slower he'd have been declared deceased. "This cook is not dead, he is merely resting". Listen, owners of S&M (Smash Foods Ltd) If you want to exist in a premium location, you have to have premium service and food. It's a shame, it used to be quite reasonable, but I have to say that it is very 2nd rate now.
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Tack
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, March 26, 2010

I went to the S&M in Leadenhall Market with some work colleagues earlier this week. We found the starter and main satisfactory but the desserts were absolutely atrocious! The fruit crumble had no crumble, it looked like a microwaved mess, one dessert never turned up and the other, Bakewell Tart, looked like a plain sponge pudding, and to cap it all, I was served sour cream! I mean, what head chef would allow food like that to go out to customers?

The service went the same way as the food. It started very well but as soon as the bad food came out we were hit with this 'couldn't care less' attitude. I have had some pleasant visits before this one but I must confess, this will be my last.
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Chris
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Thursday, August 20, 2009