Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
I have eaten in a lot of restaurants in Dover and surrounding areas and have never not enjoyed the evening. Some have been better than others but none have turned me into "Disgusted of Dover" - well not until tonight that is.
We were with a group of 16 friends celebrating a friends birthday. The venue had been booked well in advance.
The arrangement was 6.30 for 7pm.
After a somewhat hostile reception by (I presume) the manager, we all sat down and ordered our starters. The first ones appeared three quarters of an hour later and carried on in dribs and drabs so by the time the first had been eaten the last ones had not arrived. We then gave our requests for the main meal. The first of these arrived about an hour later and the last almost an hour and three quarters later. The plates were cold, the vegetables were also cold and undercooked, apart from the mashed potato which was cold. Those who had chips mostly left them because they were cold. One diner had smoked haddock which looked like a cats dinner - and it too was cold.
I know I can't mention the name of this establishment for legal reasons but never again will I or any of my friends be using it again.
Still I picked up a takeaway on my way home which was lovely!!
Sorry for the moan but it has made me feel better to tell you so I hope you'll forgive me

There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
As what you have said is true Jacqui, why should you not be able to say so ? It won't be libelous as it won't be a lie.
It sounds like a chain restauarant attached to an Hotel.
Did you give them the opportunity to put it right - or would that have meant starting from the beginning again ? Sometimes you just want to go home.
Roger
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,894
Name and shame or at least give a hint, as for the moan it is better to release the anger than let it simmer.
I hope you complained at the time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Jacqui
as one that uses a number of eating establishments and in the main getting good service i would welcome your view on the establishment and to name and shame, theres nothing libel in it
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Put it on tripadvisor.com then point us to the review.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
or just on here cant see why not
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
Agree.......we need whistle-blowers
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Might be an advertiser, Keith, as you know nobody is allowed to diss the people who provide the dosh.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
sorry if you get poor service advertiser or not should be named
im sure if they realise wont use the place they will want to put it right
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Jacqui there are no legal reasons why you should not name and shame them You would be doing all of us a service in doing so. Bad service should always be exposed.
Guest 774- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 498
I'd quite like to know too, as a place to avoid...
"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is."
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Naming and shaming can only be helpful, both to the local diners-out and to the restaurant concerned. Did anybody apologise for the (lack of) service, was the bill reduced?
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
a subtle hint as to the name would be the best bet i think.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
indeed howard
and maybe then others will give views on visits to the place
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the worst comments i have heard from people have been about cullin's yard and the moonflower.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
The more subtle the hint...the less subtle the impression that there is actually something to complain about.
Why not say...
"Wonderful opportunities to converse at length between courses, little fear of the food getting cold once it has been delivered to table, the welcome equalled only by the note of surprise that we turned up even though we booked in advance...not to mention the relief that the occasion finally was at an end...the cost of gaining the pavement worth every penny. Never again will I have the pleasure of darkening their doors. Number such'n'such of So'n'so Street, the restaurant that leads the way in energy saving."
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
moonflower used to be good
but recently in a raid found to have illegals working there, the reputation was hindered.
In the past i have made a lot of use of the moonflower, champion(as was) and many other such establishments.
Cullins yard iv only ever eaton there twice once with a good experience, the other kept waiting a fair time.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
that is what many say about cullin's keith, i know of someone that waited half an hour to get a drink let alone any food.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
I have had two good experiences at Cullins Yard over the last couple of months, both service and food excellent.
I have also been to lunch at the Moonflower twice recently, both were good experiences though it is not up to the standard of the old Moonflower.
Lunch today at The Allotment, always good....
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
just goes to show that we all have different experiences of the same places, a lot can be down to the chef being on holiday and/or waiting staff not turning up for work.