Skylon Restaurant

Took friends and family to Skylon for a celebration. Service was good but food was really disappointing. We therefore wrote to them, and they very kindly gave us a voucher to go back.

We therefore went back last night, where we experienced some truly terrible service. We had to ask about 5 separate waiters for our drinks, before they eventually arrived with our food. If we didn't have the voucher we would have walked out. Food was niceish but overpriced for what you get.

My advice to Skylon would be don't employ 50,000 waiters all running around like headless chickens. Instead employ about half and actually train them so when you ask for something, they dont stare back at you with gormless looks on their faces.

My advice to you would be save yourself heartache to your stomach and wallet and dine elsewhere...
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Will
3 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, July 16, 2010

I received an e-mail advertising the Brazilian summer at the Southbank and the Brazilian menu at Skylon (with sample menu attached). My partner's birthday was coming up and he's very fond of Brazil so I thought this was perfect.

Although we had a positive experience at the bar, where the staff was friendly and helpful, from then on it went downhill.

Our table was booked for 9pm and we had arrived at 8.15 to get drinks at the bar. At 9.10 the waitress comes to inform us that there is slight delay, would we like to order more drinks? We wait a bit longer, still no table at 9.20. My partner orders another cocktail. Still no table. The manager comes over to apologize, hand on chest (to show "real concern"?).

Finally at 9.40 we get shown to our table, rather upset at that stage considering we had a babysitter at home and would now be coming home very late. Then the assistant manager explains that the reason for this delay is that the persons before us arrived late for their booking, which I think is irrelevant as it's got nothing to do with us .

Then, climax of our disappointment, was the menu! The sample Brazilian menu advertised looks nothing like what was on offer on the night. There was only one starter, only one main and only one desert that were "Brazilian".

Then we had to wait for another long stretch of time before anyone came for the drinks or food order, although the staff was over the top (fake smiles and all).

As we were leaving we shared our great disappointment with the manager. All he did was repeat the same apology and insist that this was due to the people before us who turned up late. At no stage were we offered a drink on the house or any other form of compensation, which would have been the decent thing to do especially since we had to wait so long for our table. It is only when we were on our way out, with our coats on, at 11.15 pm that the assistant manager offered us a glass of champagne on the house (i.e. pretty much when he knew we would not accept it) . What an appalling level of customer service and what a disappointment !

When you spend £150 for a meal you would expect a bit more consideration as a customer. Needless to say it wasn't a great birthday dinner.

Have sent a written complaint to the restaurant who has so far ignored it.
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Julie B
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

If it wasn't for a beautiful summers evening and great company this would have been a disappointing meal. We arrived half an hour early to have a drink at the bar. All very nice, very attentive and great drinks. We were told the table was delayed and it would be 15 minutes. 45 minutes later we were finally seated. Menu looked good, lots of good options however it was another 45 minutes before we were eating the starter. We were offered 3 bread rolls while we waited. If I had eaten them I would have been too full to eat! If I had wanted to eat at 10pm I would have booked a table for 10pm!

Food was ok, not amazing but not bad either. Main course was another fairly long wait. Lot of flourish from the waiters with the delivery. Flourish which was a bit over the top considering the plate did not look very beautiful or amazing. Ok main course, nothing special. Ordered dessert and coffee. The dessert was pretty good, crepe suzette and a very retro flambe which I liked. Coffees etc never materialised. Bill was £85 per head as we had nice wines and cocktails to begin with but steep for the average food

Nice waitresses, very attentive and friendly. All extremely apologetic about the delays and gave us a free drink. However I don't know how they can let a table run over 45 minutes when there are people who have booked well in advance are waiting.

I wouldn't go again. The view is great as is the room/decor. However for that kind of money you can have a really memorable and truly delicious meal somewhere else
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6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Friday, June 25, 2010