Buenos Aires (Purley)

To celebrate a birthday, we ate at BA on Saturday night for the third time. We were very disappointed with the service and food at the weekend. We ordered a mixture of burgers and steaks; at least three orders were overcooked round a table of six! For a specialist steak place, you think they'd know how to cook a decent steak or burger....even the burger buns were rather charred. We sent back one burger (not a hint of pink although it was meant to be med) which then reappeared very pink and bloody but some of us had finished by that point and we were too hungry to argue!

In addition, we suspect there was a problem in the kitchen as the restaurant was filled with smoke. As a result, one of the waiters kept propping the door open much to the dismay of the customers (it was -2 and snowing outside). When we got up to close the door, another waitress apologised, blaming the incoming customers. We pointed out the waiter had done it and when we mentioned the smoky atmosphere, she snapped back 'who told you about the smoke?' like they were trying to cover it up!

I appreciate that kitchens have problems and in this case, it would've been better to say something to placate the diners as we weren't the only ones to notice. When we paid for the bill, the waitress was very defensive to our comments. Any good restaurant should take pride in the service they offer customers. A small gesture to ensure that we went away happy would have gone a long way - instead, we left adamant we'd never return and here I am writing a negative review on the web!
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Monday, February 06, 2012

I took my partner there last night. Terrible. The tables are squashed together and almost sitting on the next table. Everytime the people next us wanted to go to the toilet, my partner had to get off her chair and let them out. Horrible. Food was fine but expensive. I would not recommend to go there again. a rip off.
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David Somerset - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Sunday, February 05, 2012

Returned to the restaurant at the weekend, we had booked a table for 10, whilst booking on the phone they initially said we would have to put a deposit down as the restaurant would be so busy and they would need to reserve tables. We did this and were surprised when we arrived that the restaurant was empty and there were only 3 other couples that ate there all evening. Hardly packed....

It had been a couple of years since I have dined here, previously had a fantastic experience, very good steak and reasonable prices, (a 22oz fillet steak had been around £24.)

Was a little disappointed when I looked at the menu this time and the largest fillet steak was only 12oz and would cost £29. Half the size for a higher price in only two years, and certainly not going to fill me up as I had hardly eaten all day in anticipation.

It became apparent that the restaurant is no longer interested in the service it gives that had previously impressed me but just there to squeeze money out of you. When we asked if the bill could be split between the table as there were two families they said no, not too much of an issue I didn’t think. I own a restaurant and we accommodate this for customers all the time. A little extra hassle for the waiter but all part of the service.

I opted for the £22.50 steak combo, (A combination of their fillet, rump, sirloin and ribeye steaks) When ordering I was asked how I would like the steak and was told they all had to be the same. Why would anyone have all their steak types cooked the same way? I was surprised at this as this is supposed to be a specialist steakhouse. Eventually the waitress agreed for me to at least have a rare fillet and the rest medium. (She was the only shining light of the evening).

When the food arrived the steak was very good, the small pot of chips that came with it was a little comical, 7 chips in total, and the peppercorn sauce was a measly portion for the additional £3.

Overall the steak was very good, its just a shame they are ripping people off with the portions and are no longer interested in making it a pleasant experience for customers.

If you are thinking of going here I probably wouldn’t recommend it. I would suggest you go to Gaucho in Richmond or up in the city, better steak and service and you are pretty much paying the same price. I am more than happy to pay good money for food but think you should get what you pay for an we simply didn’t get this at Buenes Aires.
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6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Monday, January 09, 2012

We went to Buenos aires for a anniversary dinner and were fairly sure of it being good as we had been there before although a 1 year ago.

We were shown to our table and the waiter didnt bring us menus. After 10 mins i got his attention and he apologised which was fair enough. We ordered our courses and asked for some tap water (we had wine too). The starters took 1hour and 10mins to arrive. The waiter forgot to bring the water and brought it after we reminded him again. The steaks turned up which were ok but the chips were only half full bowl (measly sized bowl). Not the chunky chips either.

Anyway we were disappointed with the service and asked our waiter could we see the manager and guess what, he was the manager!! He explained that the kitchen was struggling as they had a trainee chef. Im no Gordon Ramsay but having only two chefs plus a trainee chef doesnt make sense when the restaurant is full? Doesnt seem like an acceptable excuse anyway.

We had a taste card discount giving 2 for 1 one on all courses. The bill was still £73 (2 bottles of wine as we were there so long) and we declined paying service.

We spoke with an elderly couple next to us regarding the service as they were struggling to get their bill paid. They shared our opinion on the service and were disappointed too.

It was a poor experience and we shall not be returning.
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nathalie walsh
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Friday, September 02, 2011

Gone down hill. Over cooked and over priced. Just had very average meal, a waste of a rare evening out, lack of interest when declined tip due to small over cooked rump and gritty salad.
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Dominic shepherd
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Friday, June 17, 2011

The best meat in England so far, good service resonable price.
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Christian Lopez
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 26, 2011

Last night 28.02.2011 we attempted to have dinner at your restaurant in Purley. When we arrived at the restaurant, just after 8, there were 2 tables seated – making about 10 people in the entire restaurant not including the 3 members of staff on duty.

We were asked if we had a booking, we said no we did not and we were seated by a lady at an empty table for 4. We were sat and waiting for a wine list when we were approached by a male member of staff who simply came over and said ‘You do not have a booking’ we responded with no as previously said. He asked us then to leave, in a not too polite manner. When we asked for an explanation we were told ‘You have no booking, you must leave’ and then we got told that he would call the Manager on Duty. Embarrassed as we were for being treated so rudely we left.

I do not think this is the way I would ever treat a customer. The restaurant was half empty and nowhere on the website does it say that a booking MUST be made before going to the restaurant. Secondly I have never been spoken to so rudely by a waiter – it certainly put a dampener on my birthday. It was an embarrassment to be rudely told to leave a restaurant in front of guests who had come all the way from Wales to Purley, not to mention the people in the restaurant who were staring at us.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, March 01, 2011

This is an excellent restaurant. The steaks are very good and they cater well for children who have "healthy" appetites. Our 8 year old happily demolishes the adult steak and enjoys the variety of potato waffle or chips.

There is a screen in one corner which is handy at times for amusing the younger ones and usually plays flamenco dance, wholly inkeeping with the ambience.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Such nice people and the food was fantastic! Unlike being Dubai where its all just perfect, in fact too perfect. This little restaurant has heeps and charm and character. The special pace for the service it to give it that authentic feel... LOL!

It all comes from organised chaos and this just makes the whole evening better and so much fun.

Steak is the best, wine is yummy! I just love it!
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Dean
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, April 01, 2010

The food is fantastic. We have been 4 or 5 times now and each time we have forgotten just how good the steak is.

The waiters are very busy but it is a small restaurant and you can always get their attention if you need to.

The atmosphere is pretty lively, and often your fellow diners are Argentinian, which has to be a good sign.
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Ella Leonard
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 18, 2009