Ealing Park Tavern

Steve Day (9 July 2006)

The evening started well, we were sat at our table by 7.30pm in the knowledge that we had to be finished and vacate the table by 9.30pm. The food was excellent and the waitress polite and friendly, the service was slow.

We finished our main course at 9pm and were ready for dessert, unfortunately the waitress kept rushing by and would not make eye contact, at 9.25 we were presented with the bill. We explained that we had wanted to order dessert but we were told we needed to vacate the table as the next booking were waiting. The manageress came over and apologised stating that they were very busy and she could arrange for dessert to be eaten at the bar. We politely declined and paid the bill. As is their prerogative the rest of my party declined to leave a tip, I did however leave one.

After leaving the restaurant we were followed out by the manageress who through gritted teeth told us that her staff work hard and we should have given the whole service charge or none at all. We then told we were not welcome to come back.

Forgive me for being dumb, isn't a tip at the customers discretion? Following clients outside to cajole them about the service charge seems very bad practice. Whilst I admire the manageress for sticking up for her staff I feel her priority should be to arrange for more staff to cover busy periods.

The moral of this review is even if you are unhappy with the service DO pay the voluntary service charge or you will be followed outside and abused.

Karen Joseph (17 April 2005)

The only other restaurant in Ealing worth a visit. Great atmosphere, delicious food and child friendly! Definitely a local favourite - menu changes regularly and is very reasonably priced. An excellent choice.