F.X. Buckley Steakhouse Monkstown — Local services in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Terrible attitude towards Customers- AVOID

Our family of 9 people had lunch there on 1st February in the Monkstown restaurant. We ate in the dining area at the front and enjoyed a nice meal with good service. After the meal 6 (three adults and three children) of us decided to go upstairs to the bar to watch the end of the six nations match that was on. The adults sat at the island bar which was entirely free and my kids who are aged 6, 9 and 12 sat in a corner at a lower table where there was plenty of space as at the time there were maybe 10 other people in 3 parties upstairs. Basically the bar was pretty empty.

I went to the bar to order. The bar tender was busy and told me to take a seat and he would be with me in a few minutes. He came over and took our order, at which point he asked if we could all sit together as it was policy that groups would sit together to keep the space free for other parties arriving. I asked, as they were only kids could they not just sit there. He reiterated that it was policy to sit together. So I moved my kids over to the island even though there was plenty of room in the bar area. It really made me mad that he wasn’t being flexible or accommodating to guest that had just spent €300 downstairs and were willing to give more business to FXB’s.

So I went over to the bar area and had a heated discussion with the barman. Telling him he was being totally unreasonable and that why wouldn’t he just ask us to move the kids if someone came in. I told him his attitude was terrible and that I was really annoyed at him making an issue out of this, explaining that we had just eaten downstairs and that my kids were being very quiet sitting in the corner colouring. I left it at that.

he dropped over the drinks, we sat there for 20 mins and asked him for the same drinks again. To which he then announced over the bar could be please have a word with me down the side of the bar. Everyone in the bar was very aware of the situation now and he was calling me out to come out of the bar area. Is that really how you treat a paying customer? So I went down the side area of the bar, where he tells me I have embarrassed him and he has called me out here to avoid further embarrassment. Too late for that. He told me what I had said to him over the bar was unacceptable. I said he was being ridiculous and making the kids move was making an issue out of nothing. Why not let them sit there and if someone came in he could of asked us to move the kids to free up space. I asked him where it stated this in the policy or where was it written that groups had to sit together? He said it was just policy and that if I didn’t like the policy I could leave. So I chose to leave and ended the discussion there. Not a great ultimatum to give to a customer wouldn’t you agree over an issue like this?

we walk out as a family leaving our drinks there. I went downstairs to and asked to speak to the manager. I described the above. He said surely he should have just asked you to move if someone came in. I agreed but unfortunately that option wasn’t given to us. I explained that I am walking out as I was told that if I didn’t like the policy I could leave.

it has been nearly 2 weeks. I thought I would have got a call in the mean time to either explain / apologise. I honestly don’t think you should be treated like that as a customer. If you don’t want children on your premises on Sunday you should say that. Guest who have spent their hard earned money down there should feel welcome in your establishment after they have eaten. I really think you fell very far short of that. Your staff I feel have really let you down.

above is the complaint email i sent to them last week. funnily enough i haven't heard anything back. was going to give them the benefit of private reply but looks like they...

We booked to have dinner this evening and upon arrival we were confronted by a very rude member of staff (he said his name was Ramon and he was the general manager). He said he didn't have any tables for us as we had our 4 month old child with us, asleep in his car seat. He added that we should have got a baby sitter like the others. The restaurant had quite a few children in sight and we even called ahead this afternoon to confirm we would be bringing our child (see picture of call). The call was answered by a lady who said it was fine for us to bring him.

We appreciate their rules that there shouldn't be children after 7:30pm but at this point, it was 6:45pm.

I explained that we were not out for the evening, we just wanted to come for dinner and we could have gone by 7:30pm. We just didn't get the chance.

Ramon continued to be incredibly disrespectful, pointing at us and making distasteful gestures before hitting my shoulder as I was walking out of the restaurant (check CCTV).

We left the restaurant feeling angry at being discriminated against. Ramon appeared to be the bullying type and someone who has let down the FX Buckley brand.

It's never nice leaving a bad review but I would encourage everyone to avoid this place.

Pictures will show you the booking confirmation, the cancellation FX Buckley did when we left, and the phone call we made confirming it was okay to...

I was there in a party of 6 for Sunday lunch. 3 had starters which were all tasty and well presented. No problems there. The main courses were also excellent. One had gone for cannelloni which was very good and the rest went for the Sunday roast which was beef, served with duck fat potatoes, carrots and gravy. The beef was excellent and the portions were generous. For dessert, their sticky toffee pudding is just gorgeous.

The reason I didn't give 5 stars was something that really gets up my nose in restaurants. I asked the waiter for 2 glasses of wine, for myself and my wife. He took the order, but then did not appear with the wine. I think he forgot. After 20 minutes I had to go into the restaurant myself (we were dining in the outside area) and ask another waiter to bring us the wine. The original waiter came back and said he was busy behind the bar. This annoyed me even more because it was clear that he had simply forgotten. He could have just fessed up, which I would have forgiven.

I was also a little perturbed that a 12.5% service charge is added on and does not seem to be optional. I had to ask what the extra charge was so as to be sure I didn't add on an extra tip. I just thought that was a bit thick considering my problem with the wine.

Anyway, it's a good restaurant and I...