Char’d Steakhouse — Restaurant in Ipswich City

Great selection of beer and cider on tap, customer service and food can be very below standard even for a local pub.

Come here at least once a month with a group of 5-8 people each time, progressively each visit has gotten more “shit”.

Booked a table for 8 for 5:30pm (called and booked around midday). We (2/8 guest) arrived more than an hour early and sat in the Tap’d bar where our reservation was, we were told to sit wherever we’d like as it was quiet. A starter and a few beers later, 2 more people from our party arrived at 5:30, they messaged us as they were told that the tap’d bar area was closing, they weren’t allowed to come in and when they said we were already in there the waitress reluctantly let them in. While waiting for others to arrive a waitress came over to let us know that the tap’d bar was closing and if we went into the char’d area they would happily seat us, disappointing as the tap’d bar has the best atmosphere in the venue and faster service of drinks but what can you do.

Once the other guest arrived (2 couldn’t make it due to an emergency) the 6 of us, carrying drinks each, walked into the char’d restaurant, we were redirected to the front counter. I’d like to have a special mention to the waitress who served us at the front counter, you weren’t very nice, especially for someone who is working front of house. When told our booking name she denied we had a booking, then once she realised we did have a booking but in the tap’d area not char’d she let us know that because they were shutting that bar they had just cancelled our booking completely. She began to grab menus and asked how many people we had, when I mistakenly said 8 instead of 6 she gave a look, laughed and said “are you sure? 8 will be very squishy in a booth”. It was quite rude the way she said it, as far as I’m concerned I made a booking for 8 people so I should be entitled to a table spacious enough for 8 people, that would just be common sense.

No cutlery was bought to the table unless asked for, mains actually arrived and had to ask for cutlery then. I ordered two jugs of water and they didn’t arrive. 3/6 meals came out and were finished before the other 3 came out. Food was very standard, we have had amazing food here before but each time we come it declines in quality and quantity. 2 drinks didn’t even arrive till mid way through the second round of meals.

It wasn’t that busy from the looks of it but I do understand that you may have been understaffed (hard to believe when staff are standing at the kitchen window talking) and had issues with the order printer in the bar but there are easy ways to fix a customers experience when these situations occur. It would of been nice to have an explanation as to why we were kicked out of the tap’d area when there were still people in there after 6pm when it was “closed” or an apology for the delays on food and drinks being delivered.

We have been regular customers who would tell their family and friends to come check this place out all the time but now I feel like we are wasting our time and money to come here. I would love to hear back from someone in regards to our experience...

Came in today and asked for a table to celebrate a birthday lunch with friends. After half an hour and lack of effective service and clarity of menus etc, then huffy retorts when attempting get (at least) a drink order underway.... things were going from bad to worse.....a long way from a good experience and certainly no celebratory lunch! The waitress attending us then spent time relating her story to another for some time instead of fast tracking our order! There were no apologies or words of reassurance that things would be forth coming ... just more obstruction. The attitude was the big turn off.

Only three other tables had customers in the whole Char'd bistro.... two waitresses and a supervisor/ manager (who didn't attend despite our requests and expressions that we were not happy with the level of service)... although my friends said he had quite a reaction when we politely asked for our order to be canceled as we left.

I could write a long list outlining details of the series of the appaling service moves.. or lack there of (and but don't want to spoil my ( Birth)day further. No drinks, no water, the seats in the booth seating is in poor condition and peeling, the carpets were dirty. The prices get up to nearly $40 for a main course! No problem if the environment, decor, service, etc match. No coasters for the dripping condensing water when it arrived.

The Prince Alfred was a regular lunch venue for me and also other friends but this is the third time we have been let down badly!!. Previous visits the service was poor ie difficult to get service or follow up drinks and some significant menu items not available. I had plenty of time to photograph the menus etc .See pics. When we left we went to the nearby Racecourse Hotel ...arrived on 2pm and had a wonderful lunch, drinks, etc until 5.30pm..See my review and pics. Fabulous! Refurbished! Staff who exhibit the traits of politeness and flexibility. Chef came to check our meals. Bar staff made special drinks and coffees that were not in their list with a happy smile and attention to detail. It's called the Hospitality Industry for a reason ... part of the service industry... take...

If you enjoy long delays, bad service and hot sparkling wine, this is the place for you! Celebrating our wedding anniversary we booked into Char'd restaurant, a local place we'd previously enjoyed. We were advised to order at the bar or via the QR code, we took our seats and decided on a bottle of sparkling to start our celebrations and ordered via QR. And we waited. After 10 minutes, we spoke to a member of staff nearby that we'd ordered and seem to be waiting a while given the amount of people in the restaurant (5pm ish) we were assured QR was fine and it would come. And we waited. Another 5 minutes or so, my husband went to the bar and asked. No, despite us ordering and paying, it had not come through their end. And we waited. Actually turns out they no longer carry that wine (fine, so be it) we were offered two alternatives. One selected, we're getting somewhere. No. After we waited, again. We were presented with a hot bottle of sparkling jammed in an ice bucket. I head to the front desk and advise them, manager immediately slips away saying he'll 'get another'. Leaving me with the server who 'only delivers food and drinks' and simply offered placations without any hint of solution or customer service. I asked what they were going to do; they 'can't do anything '. After another five minutes or so we're done, enough opportunities given to rectify. If you can't deliver one bottle of wine, how on earth do you manage food? We gave more than enough opportunities to show any form of customer service and it never occurred, with the exception of requesting a refund and it was provided ( minus 77 cents transaction fee-heaven forbid they provide a full refund). BUT if you are after a brilliant night out, I HIGHLY recommend Monte Lane, cannot fault them and CHILLED SPARKLING WINE, delivered in minutes with wonderful friendly service....