All reader reviews by Sarah from London

Chez Gerard at the Opera Terrace

Oh dear. Turned up here at 4.15pm yesterday (Sunday) and the bar was busy-ish but the restaurant area was almost empty. I asked the girl seating guests if we could take a table outside in the restaurant area for some drinks for a couple of hours. Her manager said that would be fine and we were shown outside. But then the waiting staff ignored us for 15 minutes. I approached one (they were pretty much standing around doing not a lot) and they said 'we cannot take your order as you're not eating'. Nobody had mentioned this to us when we were seated.

I should have left at this point but instead went in to the bar and found one fed-up looking barman and about eight people waiting to be served. We left at this point and told the seating girl why we were going. No apology, no attempt to sort it out, no interest.

We then headed opposite to Tuttons where they couldn't have been nicer, found us a table outside within 5 mins (it was full when we arrived) and made the experience a pleasure. We stayed for two bottles of champagne and coffees and so our bill of £150 was more than we would have spent on a main course. Chez Gerard, your loss. Recession or not you're clearly not interested in making customers feel welcome or maintaining business. Not only will I not be going back again, I shall tell everyone I know not to bother.

Monday, June 15, 2009
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0