Shed, The

NP and CB (15 July 2006)

We had visited the restaurant in person two days before, as we were fed up of being given poor tables at other restaurants in the area. We were told we could choose any table, at any time, on our chosen evening, so we pointed to the table we wanted and it was noted that we reserved that one. We arrived on time to find all the good tables, including the one we’d requested, taken and were offered a choice of two poor seconds: one in a dark corner, with one seat facing the corner; another with side by side seating at the top of the stairs with one seat sticking into the aisle and no view. We complained and were brusquely told “Sorry there is nothing we can do”. No? How about a genuine expression of apology and a small token such as a complimentary drink or hors d’oeuvres? Maybe would have helped; as it was, things got worse.

The corner table we chose as the least worse of the two available was tiny and it was a constant struggle to fit things on it. Every table in the room except ours had napkins, butter and hors d’oeuvres. We asked for napkins, which were then brought. We then had to ask for bread; which was brought, but without any butter. We then asked for butter; it was brought, but no hors d’oeuvres - which were never brought. When the main course came, we had to give up the bread as it simply would not fit on the table. When we started to eat we realised that the very large salt grinder was empty (and must therefore have been running low for a long time); the waitress took it away “to refill it” - instead the waiter appeared with a small non-matched cellar.

The starter chowder was excellent. The starter sardines came with a tomato salsa that was battery-acid sour. One main fish dish was cooked adequately but not spectacularly well; the other slightly overcooked and dry. No choice of vegetables was offered, instead we were given an ill-judged salad: very much too much red and green peppers and herb leaves, tastes which totally overpowered the