I really wanted to like this restaurant. It was actually a return visit as we’d been last year too celebrate my daughter’s birthday and it was a good evening. Both my kids are vegan so although I’m not vegan myself, I always like it when...a restaurant does vegan options. But the customer experience was very poor. First, I couldn’t find any contact details on the website to book. But as our apartment was close to the restaurant I thought I’d just go along and book in person. An A frame board outside said it would open at 15:00 (kitchen open at 16:00). So at about 15:30 I walked over to the restaurant. It was closed. A young lady inside kept indicating to me that they were not open until 4. As she couldn’t hear me, I wasn’t able to point out to her that the sign said they’d open at 3 and all I wanted to do in any case was make a booking. Dear Couloir, open at whatever time you like. 3pm, 4pm, 8pm. Open at midnight if you want. But whatever time you decide to open, don’t leave a sign outside telling people that you will be open a full hour before you in fact do. But I saw a number for reservations on the menu outside and so I called and managed to make the reservation. Once I arrived and was seated, I realised that I was going hypo and I’d forgotten to bring my sweets with me (I’m diabetic)). The waiter was dealing with customers at another table, I caught her eye and she said she’d be with me in a moment. She then went to see some customers at a different table and, as I was very anxious to treat my hypo and didn’t want her to leave without taking my order, I called her over. When she got to the table, she proceeded to admonish me: “I told you I’d be with you in a moment….there’s no need to be so impatient…” Now, I realise that, not knowing the back story she would simply have assumed that I was being particularly difficult and demanding customer. But I’m sorry, but in the service industry dealing politely and professionally with difficult and demanding customers is supposed to go with the territory. I explained to her my reasons and she said OK sorry. But her behaviour was just inappropriate. Short of actual abuse, which nobody should have to put up with, staff should not be telling their customers off, even if they do privately think the customer was unreasonable. This was a bad start to the evening and it spoiled the meal for me. The food itself was OK, not brilliant. My husband thought his coq au vin was a bit dry. I enjoyed the street corn burger and we both enjoyed the snickers slice for dessert.More
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