We haven't been eating out much in the last 6 months, so we decided we had earned a nice dinner on the beach, and earlier this week I had been to a new bar right on the sea front, called Bries. I had a cup of tea, my guest had a hot chocolate. She said it was instant powdered, and I know the 'whipped cream' on top came straight from an aerosol, but somehow the location made up for it. The website said it was 'award winning' and the photos showed the rich and famous of the area enjoying themselves. So it was with joy in my heart that we set off to visit this evening; rain could not dampen my enthusiasm, nor could a longer than remembered trudge up the beach in deep sand. Even though the other places we passed were quiet and deserted, Bries was full; luckily for us they did have a table for 3 available, even if it was not the best located table in the room. It was right next to the kitchen area, and I lost count of how many times my chair was barged into without even an acknowledgement. The chairs were high and rather rickety, wobbling things; even when hubby and I swapped places no one commented on it, and as he has mobility issues it was quite important that he could at least sit safely and comfortably. We were giggling at this stage, so it wasn't a huge deal, merely annoying. Bear in mind this is a 'destination' bar/cafe, in a resort full of Porsches and Bentleys, a resort where the National Football team train, and where the Michelin starred Huis ter Duin is situated. Our 'waiter' was a cartoon character, he thought he was the most gorgeous thing in the place, and we were mere witnesses to his greatness. I have no idea what was going through his mind other than the sea breeze, but he obviously dismissed us as irrelevant from the start. Too old? Too poor, too English? No idea. His every statement/response was mechanical and rushed, parroted and meaningless. Maybe he would prefer to be 'discvered' or even become a rich womans boy toy.
Unbelievably the beer choice was Heineken, or Wieckse witte as a reluctant alternative. Not one other choice? Really? I went for a glass of house Rose, a very nice one but rather skimped on contents. Even the most rough and ready bar has a better choice than that, very disappointing. The service was laughable, really. Only our waiter though, I think; other people seemed to have better service. The menu was a triumph of style over substance as too many things are lately, overpriced and lacking in subtle details; no mention of side dishes that accompanied mains, or even if there was a choice. When asked about catch of the day, the waiter seemed ignorant to the point of obtuseness about how it was cooked and what was in it, no attempt to engage at all. He bought us a plank of wood with dishes containing butter, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, what I guess was a sort of mayonnaise (tarragon?) and a little round brown seeded loaf. This had a knife sticking out of it as though someone had stabbed it out of revenge or warning. He chucked it onto the table with no explanation or foreplay at all, and also no questions about did we need anything, like water. Now I will take a lot of carelessness if the food is good, and the food was not bad as such... just inconsistent. Our friend had the beef tataki starter, which was rare beef in a soya and sesame dressing with seaweed and spring onion garnish. Rather on the sweet side, and the beef could have been served at room temperature instead of chilled, but other than those minor quibbles it was tender and enjoayable. A's starter of scampis in a chilli sauce was large, and he said fresh rather than frozen prawns. The sauce was creamy and a little bit unsubtle for the prawns, but he did eat it all. I was Mrs Awkward and asked if I could have the goat cheese starter as a main, becuase I knew I would not eat it all if I had 2 courses. I did not ask for it to be sized up as a main course, and I was not asked if I wanted it supersized, but I think they had somehow, because it was vast. I could not finish it all, which is not necessarily a good thing. Mainly because the waiter took my plate away whilst I was still chewing! Unbelievable, and rude. I could not speak with my mouth full, but because everyone else had finished he assumed I had too. He asked us without waiting for a response if we had enjoyed the meal, but did not ask if we needed anything else. One waitress asked if we wanted more fries because she saw I was still eating, but as said fries were frozen chips no better than Hendo, we said no thanks. Why skimp on fries? The catch of the day as eaten by A and E was fresh Red Snapper, but once again the waiter was clueless as to how it was cooked; luckily they said it was pretty good, on a bed of broccoli and green beans, with a beurre blanc sauce. One dish of frozen fries between them, and a small bowl of generic mayo. Why (again) skimp on things like fries when the prices are so expensive for the mains? Details are important, and make such a difference as to whether we return or not, but one reason for repeat business is, a waiter or manager who really cares about customers, not one who hangs on the back of my chair without introducing himself and asks completely insincere questions. And waiters; ask customers if they enjoyed a meal and listen to them! It's not hard. Engage with us, don't insult our intelligence.If you ask us whether we want dessert in a voice designed to discourage us from asking, don't be surprised when we tip you with a handful of coppers instead of our customary habit of 10 to 12%
I know, it's abit 'old', complaining about service, here, but even with some of our experiences over the years this one really makes me laugh manically. It's not rocket science, is it?
We had a fun night, really; just not entirely sure we are that bothered about going back.
Unbelievably the beer choice was Heineken, or Wieckse witte as a reluctant alternative. Not one other choice? Really? I went for a glass of house Rose, a very nice one but rather skimped on contents. Even the most rough and ready bar has a better choice than that, very disappointing. The service was laughable, really. Only our waiter though, I think; other people seemed to have better service. The menu was a triumph of style over substance as too many things are lately, overpriced and lacking in subtle details; no mention of side dishes that accompanied mains, or even if there was a choice. When asked about catch of the day, the waiter seemed ignorant to the point of obtuseness about how it was cooked and what was in it, no attempt to engage at all. He bought us a plank of wood with dishes containing butter, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, what I guess was a sort of mayonnaise (tarragon?) and a little round brown seeded loaf. This had a knife sticking out of it as though someone had stabbed it out of revenge or warning. He chucked it onto the table with no explanation or foreplay at all, and also no questions about did we need anything, like water. Now I will take a lot of carelessness if the food is good, and the food was not bad as such... just inconsistent. Our friend had the beef tataki starter, which was rare beef in a soya and sesame dressing with seaweed and spring onion garnish. Rather on the sweet side, and the beef could have been served at room temperature instead of chilled, but other than those minor quibbles it was tender and enjoayable. A's starter of scampis in a chilli sauce was large, and he said fresh rather than frozen prawns. The sauce was creamy and a little bit unsubtle for the prawns, but he did eat it all. I was Mrs Awkward and asked if I could have the goat cheese starter as a main, becuase I knew I would not eat it all if I had 2 courses. I did not ask for it to be sized up as a main course, and I was not asked if I wanted it supersized, but I think they had somehow, because it was vast. I could not finish it all, which is not necessarily a good thing. Mainly because the waiter took my plate away whilst I was still chewing! Unbelievable, and rude. I could not speak with my mouth full, but because everyone else had finished he assumed I had too. He asked us without waiting for a response if we had enjoyed the meal, but did not ask if we needed anything else. One waitress asked if we wanted more fries because she saw I was still eating, but as said fries were frozen chips no better than Hendo, we said no thanks. Why skimp on fries? The catch of the day as eaten by A and E was fresh Red Snapper, but once again the waiter was clueless as to how it was cooked; luckily they said it was pretty good, on a bed of broccoli and green beans, with a beurre blanc sauce. One dish of frozen fries between them, and a small bowl of generic mayo. Why (again) skimp on things like fries when the prices are so expensive for the mains? Details are important, and make such a difference as to whether we return or not, but one reason for repeat business is, a waiter or manager who really cares about customers, not one who hangs on the back of my chair without introducing himself and asks completely insincere questions. And waiters; ask customers if they enjoyed a meal and listen to them! It's not hard. Engage with us, don't insult our intelligence.If you ask us whether we want dessert in a voice designed to discourage us from asking, don't be surprised when we tip you with a handful of coppers instead of our customary habit of 10 to 12%
I know, it's abit 'old', complaining about service, here, but even with some of our experiences over the years this one really makes me laugh manically. It's not rocket science, is it?
We had a fun night, really; just not entirely sure we are that bothered about going back.
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