The Embankment has improved no end since its renovation from quite a traditional and out-dated place to the new modern, ‘gastro-pub’ it has become since being taken over by Peach Pubs. The decor is light and relaxing and the staff are young and energetic.
However, the problem I have encountered quite regularly is the inconsistency of good service. Whilst holding one of the prime spots in the town, the service can often do the establishment an injustice.
On countless occasions I have been waiting at a bar or at a table for ten minutes or more without being acknowledged- a small but very important aspect of customer service that should be engrained in the minds of all those who work in the service industry. Today, for example, we took a family member from
We then had to clear the table ourselves and when the food arrived we had to go inside and ask THREE times for some cutlery. To be fair, the boys working were busy at the bar but there were two women standing talking to each other who should really have been helping as a customer should not have to wait that long for such a basic requirement. We then ordered coffees and had to clear the table ourselves again to make space- the coffee cup was filthy down the side too. This kind of service frustrates me, especially when you see the likes of Eat Fish, the fish restaurant that lasted around 2 years down the road, go out of business, who prided themselves on customer service but had not the funding or customer understanding of the menu to succeed. However, they knew the importance of where they were placed and the benefit of a riverside spot.
In the past a friend has complained at The Embankment on waiting an hour for a bottle of wine to be brought to the table, and he was compensated with a free meal for two where he said the service was impeccable. However, he attended two weeks later and was faced with similar problems with waiting for service and it being haphazard. Let’s hope the pub/restaurant/hotel raises its standards to match the location – as it would in most modern towns and cities around the world.
Rating out of 10
Quality 7
Service 3
Price 6
#Wicbha? Would I come back here again?
Yes I will come back here again because even though it disappoints it really is unrivalled in terms of location and atmosphere. Please share your views...
Further down the Embankment there's a restaurant which used to be really good, but for some reason it fell into obscurity and packed up - Nicholls it was called. It's now called something nondescript like Fish Restaurant (but serving meat on Sundays!) - in terms of its location it was pretty unrivalled - views of the river, right next to Russell Park, ample parking, service and quality to die for. If I was in the restaurant trade I'd look to take those premises over tomorrow - I'm sure it could be made to work.
ReplyDeleteYes this was mentioned in the blog. Eat Fish was orignially a nice idea but it lacked the understanding of the market to succeed. Nicholl's, a chain, was popular but once again lacked that initiative to make it as a successful long-lasting restaurant. I will always remember going down for breakfast one summer morning to which they informed us they had run out of bread. Not really satisfactory with Tesco 2 minutes down the road. It was a lovely establishment beforehand when it was 'Russell's'- a unique and classy restaurant but again went under. I wonder what it will be next now Eat Fish has folded.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the venue is concerned, i think the local council should be looking into why the businesses which pop up here always fall into troubled waters (for want of a better term). Could it be that the rates for such an idylic and picturesque spot are too high to sustain a viable business without pricing it out of the market.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and i went to 'Eat Fish' just after it opend and it was fantastic.
Another brilliant spot would be the pavillion over at Beford park, which im told, used to be a cafe - on a Sunday morning there are 10+ football teams and armies of supporters who would benefit from a licenced bar for after games drinks and a bit of food. Not to mention the cricet teams and various joggers/cyclists and walkers.
Absolutely, Mark. That's a good idea. With regards to where 'Eat Fish' was located, I sometimes wonder whether we might instead benefit from an up-market chain, such as Loch Fyne, who could really make the most of the location and the inside of the venue which is large. The independent businesses are great in theory but there has not been any of sustained quality, unfortunately.
ReplyDelete