Ravenscourt Park Teahouse

Since the tea house was taken over fron Fait Maison, this place became amazing. The food is beautiful, and finally we have staff who love the children. i'm enjoying going to the park everyday when i drop my kids at school. it s a really good coffee to begin the day.
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Nadia
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 09, 2008

I read the last review with disbelief. Can this be the cafe that all Brackenbury Village residents love to hate? Where are these delightful staff that Brenda refers to? They are certainly never there whenever my friends or I visit. The other day I tried ordering a round of coffees. The totally disinterested waitress got the order wrong three times and then became extremely surly when I tried politely to explain this.

As for cuddling babies, most of the waitresses / waiters my friends and I have encountered there have an attitude of pained bare tolerance of children.

The other day I observed a waitress refuse to serve a young mother because she was distracted by her child (who looked about 2) and therefore failed to order her food from the correct part of the counter.

Sadly I have got to the stage now where I just cannot face the potential agro of daring to order a coffee in there. Ordering food is even more hazardous as the risk of upsetting the staff makes the process rather too stressful.

From now on - I'll bring my own coffee and sandwiches.
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Caroline Bevington
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, November 11, 2006

Efficient service even when extrememly busy with lots of school kids about. Staff are always friendly and when quiet quick to get a cuddle with all the little ones that are often enjoying a cup of tea and cake with their mums!

The cakes and slices are all delicious and they have a wide selection of both hot and cold lunches.
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Brenda Barnett
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, October 14, 2006

After yet another appalling experience at the Teahouse I feel compelled to warn other readers what they can expect if they go. First off, I acknowledge that the food is pretty good, the real problem is the absolutely terrible service. The owners seem to have an unnerring ability to source the surliest, slowest and rudest staff from the London workforce. At lunchtime, the queue to be served is usually out of the door caused largely by the staff operating at a snail's pace. On one occasion whilst waiting over 40 minutes to be served I observed the staff on several occasions being rude and downright abusive to customers (mainly mothers with children). This ranged from being dismissive and generally unhelpful, to one poor woman (with a young baby) who was actually shouted at for not being clear enough about her order.

I wish I could say that this sort of service is a one - off. Sadly it is not. Recently I tried ordering a latte. I was completely ignored for at least 5 minutes by the woman behind the counter while she gossiped with her friend.

On another occasion I heard one of the waitresses telling a customer that she "should pay more f*****g attention" when the customer mistakenly thought that the food number being called out was hers.

I have also observed that if anyone complains, they risk being punished by the staff. Recently I was with a friend and our children. My friend complained about the service......30 mins later her child's toasted sandwich had still not arrived. An enquiry eventually revealed that the staff had "forgotten" to make it.

Any attempt at being friendly is usually rebuffed too - while the waitresses look away in disdain.

It is such a shame because the teahouse could be a lovely venue and the owners have obviously tried to make it an attractive place for familes to go. In many ways they have succeeded, but I have to say that the appalling treatment from the staff has finally succeeded in putting me off. Life is just too short.
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Catherine Maywood
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Saturday, September 16, 2006