Smithfield Bar and Grill

Watch out if you are paying for drinks with your card. I purchased a round of cocktails at the bar. I was a little surprised when I was told the round was over £5 more than I expected. When I enquired, I was told that they had added 12.5% on for service. After asking why (given that I had ordered and waited at the bar) I was told it was for 'making the cocktails'.

Whilst they took the service charge off at my request, I was a little disappointed that they felt the need to add it on in the first place without any signs/notice that it was their policy. If indeed it was their policy and it wasn't just the barman trying it on...?

Not a big issue, but a bit cheeky.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Monday, January 23, 2006

Finding somewhere for 8 people on a Saturday night near Christmas was tricky so when I managed to get a table at the Bar & Grill and read the reviews I thought I'd stumbled on a little-known gem. Ubfortunately not.

The restaurant was less than half full, so it was a surprise when the first thing our waitress told us was the many things that were off that night, including the rib-eye steak (in smithfield!) that was the only thing my father wanted. Fortunately they kindly agreed to do him a sirloin instead, which he enjoyed, but overall the food was average.

The beef fajitas claimed to contain fillet steak, which it clearly wasn't. The 'proper chips', which brought to mind large hand-cut chunky chips, were skinny, crispy and greasy and obviously from a bag - none of us could finish them.

Even the coffees were average. None were hot and the filter coffee tasted like water. We sent them back. The rest of the coffees came back fine but again the filter coffee was incredibly weak and had to be sent back again. The manager then came to apologise saying the coffee machine was broken but they had obviously been trying to get away with serving the dishwater anyway. He took those 2 coffees of the bill.

It was a shame. The restaurant looked nice, the cocktails were good and the staff were friendly but I don't think I'll be going back there.
Comment on this reader review

Nic
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, December 14, 2005

What a real hidden gem, ideal for drinks dinner or both. The Food is amazing, of a very high standard and very reasonably priced. The Kobe steak was cooked to absolute perfection, a real 'taste sensation'.

Cocktails are some of the best I've ever tasted (and I've tasted a few!), especially the basil grande.

Staff were excellent too, very efficient and friendly.

Overall a fantastic experience and I will definately be going back for lunch,dinner,drinks, supper,breakfast, lunch,dinner.... If only they were open 24/7

Thanks!

Very friendly, welcoming staff and the live music just topped the whole thing off.

The staff are very attentive and welcoming too.
Comment on this reader review

Thursday, November 10, 2005