Ferny Hill Tea Rooms

We had chosen Ferny Hill for a family celebration but within minutes of arriving we were made to feel unwelcome.

We had made a reservation for a family birthday and we were told after arriving at the alloted time if our other guests did not arrive shortly one of the tables we were using would have to be used for other customers. We explained that there had been a car accident just down the road and some of our guests were having trouble getting through the traffic.

Being unsure if we could gather and seat our other guests we offered to find somewhere else if there was a risk we wouldn't be able to eat together. The threat of removing tables was then retracted.

We ordered drinks and within the next ten minutes the rest of our party arrived. Food orders were placed and quite soon some of these orders started to be brought to the table. As we ate our food we realised that the orders for two of our youngest guests had not arrived and so we asked how long it would be. At several times in the next 40 minutes and after the rest of our party had finished eating we were still waiting for these orders despite seeing identical orders leaving the kitchen and chasing which ever available staff we could catch. It was obvious there was a breakdown of communication in the kitchen.

Finally the remaining orders arrived and my five year old got to enjoy the pancakes she had been looking forward to. It was an amazing feat of patience from one so young.The final straw came as when we went up to pay the bill and was told by the owner that we had made one of the staff cry!?! Perhaps it was out of frustration for not being able to fulfill a simple food order in 45 minutes?

It was explained that we probably wouldn't be coming back to which the owners response was 'Thank God for that!!' Not the sort of response that generates repeat business especially from the owner of the establishment. The only thing that seemed to work well was the till and the ability to take our money for such a shoddy and laughingly inadequate service. It seems as long as the owner has the sound of till bells ringing in his ears then the satisfaction of his customers is of no concern to him.

If you are looking for a child friendly place with good service and reasonable prices then you should definately find somewhere else!
Comment on this reader review

2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Sunday, September 25, 2011