Annie Mays Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in South Dublin

I visited here with my wife and kids a few months ago, at the time the stir-fry was top notch lots of taste. However I remember thinking, "Don't bother with the chicken curry with rice, it's very basic, very little veg, only fit for kids menu ( there is a kids version, a little bit smaller portion for 8.80), not 17 euro on adult menu. If you have a little person that's in-between adult child don't waste your money on adult portion, save your money, give them soup and child portion... The spices in the curry weren't even cooked in well on the meal, very bland" The ambience in the place was great, so was going to give it a 3 or 4 star raring. I never got around to doing the review.. I returned with a large family gathering for my mother's birthday recently. On entering, we arranged for on of the small tables to be removed from the end of the large joined table, as two of our guests weren't coming and we thought that the restaurant would appreciate having more seats for other guests. Unfortunately my father had ordered the chicken curry b4 i could warn him off it. In the end he said he liked it. ( however he is normally very old fashioned, few spuds at home for the rest of his life would make him happy, hates trying new food, so the bland curry prob suited him). Everything went fine, I enjoyed the soup, the fish meal also nice. Someone ordered an extra chips, which was promptly brought to our table, grand. However five mins later another chips came, we looked around dismayed, we hadn't ordered it, the staff weren't too quick to take it back, so one of us just said sure leave it there, someone will have it. Thought nothing more of it. At the end if the meal, two of us went through the bill with fine tooth comb and split it. Everything was right on the bill, but we did note that they had charged us for the extra chip that we hadn't ordered , but fair enough as we had eaten ut in the end. We paid and left our tip and slowly made our way out. I went to the toilet, others hung around outside chatting for few mins. On my way out I noticed the young cashier lady was outside with a receipt handing it to my family, Infront Of The Window Of Other Patrons! I heard the tail end of, we owe a further 40 euro or thereabouts from the cashier! And left us with the receipt for us to follow her back in. Embarrassing and Confused and Angry is a summation. My poor mother.. my father didn't react too well with the embarrassment and my mother in turn had just had her feet swept from under her...and after a lovely meal... We went through the bill and within seconds noticed the only difference was two extra adukt beef meals added to the menu. When explains that we had not eaten beef meals, the cashiers reply was, "well if you say you haven't eaten it, you havent" but it left us thinking she thinks we are trying to pull a fast one. Sure the whole restaurant patrons were thinking this at this stage. I lost my cool to say the least. The restaurant manager lurked around in the background, not making an attempt to come over to apologise or ask what's going on. I do feel sorry now for how I reacted to the cashier, but it really did ruin my mother's birthday. And they accepted it was a mistake in the end, but didn't try compensate us for the embarrassment of being confronted in full view of all patrons and dragged back inside!!! Some of us were regular patrons, I don't think most of us will be back.. Later on that night we came to the conclusion that the original two person table we separated from ours, was the reason we were landed with two more beef meals...they still had ut all linked on their computer thingy I suppose... I can't believe...

Below is an email I sent to Annie mays last night after the appalling service we received in Annie Mays Bar and Lounge yesterday for our daughters confirmation, after receiving a phone call after the email offering an apology and a lousy €50 voucher off our next visit to Annie Mays which I declined, I have decided to let others know exactly how we were treated.

As someone that has been in the same industry for 13 years I was shocked at how poorly we were treated and the lack of concern afterwards. I will gladly never step foot in this establishment again and advise others to take their special occasions elsewhere

To whom it may concern,

We’ve recently got home from dining in your restaurant today for my daughter’s Confirmation.

To say this has been the worst experience is an understatement, Annie Mays staff managed to completely ruin the majority of the day with some of the worst service I have ever experienced. As I’m in the same industry (sous chef in a well known Dublin restaurant, that is famous for its service) I have decided to hold off on leaving you a negative review.

As we entered the restaurant we were shown to a partially set table, I’ve had this booked for months so this was my first red flag. After sitting down I asked the server to store our cake in the kitchen (standard practice in any restaurant) to which I was told she could store it there but we wouldn’t be allowed cut it or eat it on the premises. She took the cake away and returned it approximately 30 minutes later, with the back of the cake completely battered, it was either knocked or handled incorrectly but wasn’t given to the server in this condition.

We moved on and decided to have the cake at home later, not a big deal. Our starters came after a lengthy 30 minutes wait, our table wasn’t cleared for at least 30 minutes after we finished. After the table was cleared we were left to wait another 20-30 minutes before receiving MOST of our mains. After most people received their food we were informed that 5 main courses weren’t rang in and it would be 5 minutes more before they were ready, again this happens I don’t mind waiting five minutes but it was actually another 20 minutes before we received our food. The five missing mains were all burgers and they were cooked in a rush (presumably microwaved) and were like rubber bullets, completely inedible, disgusting and not worth the wait at all.

After we ate what we could of the burger we then waited a good 30-40 minutes for desserts, at this stage everyone was ready to go home and no one even wanted them, the damage was done.

On paying the bill I nearly laughed in the ladies face when she removed 3 portions of chips as a good will gesture. We chose to salvage the day and say nothing but my daughter actually apologised to me for picking Annie Mays as we left and it really, really upset me.

This meal took approximately 3.5-4 hours and we were served drinks twice, anything after we had to go to the bar and order as the wait time for any sort of service was ridiculous.

Like I said I’ve chosen to leave this off public reviews to give you a chance to fix the problem you created. We have had many family functions in Annie Mays before with the same group of people (18 of us) and every adult at the table said they would never return again. You’ve not only embarrassed yourselves but myself, my husband and my daughter.

I really think your staff need some serious training because I had better service in Karen’s diner with my kids last week, if you don’t get the reference I implore you to Google what Karen’s diner is...

Annie May's - A Hidden Gem in Newcastle, Co Dublin

I’m just back today from here and had the pleasure of dining at Annie May's, a charming restaurant tucked away in the beautiful town of Newcastle, Co Dublin. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was captivated by the warm and inviting ambiance of the place. Annie May's proved to be a delightful culinary experience, with its delectable food, exceptional service, and attention to detail.

Let's start with the service, which was simply outstanding. Our server, Ciara, was an absolute gem. She greeted us with a friendly smile and guided us through the menu with expertise and enthusiasm. Ciara's attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. Her knowledge of the dishes, as well as her recommendations, showcased her dedication to providing exceptional service.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the food. Compliments must be sent to the talented chef at Annie May's for creating such a remarkable culinary experience. Each dish was a true work of art, prepared with the utmost care and attention. The flavors were simply divine, showcasing the use of high-quality ingredients and expert culinary techniques.

From the moment I took my first bite, I knew I was in for a treat. The menu offered a wide range of options, catering to various tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you're a fan of seafood, poultry, or vegetarian delights, Annie May's has something to satisfy every palate. The portion sizes were just right, allowing us to savor each dish without feeling overly full.

Now, let's not forget about the desserts. The sweet finale was nothing short of perfection. The chef's creativity shone through in each dessert, as they were not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. The portions were thoughtfully sized, striking the right balance between indulgence and satisfaction.

One notable aspect of Annie May's is its ample car park. The presence of a spacious parking area is undoubtedly convenient, especially for those who wish to enjoy a relaxed and hassle-free dining experience.

In conclusion, Annie May's in Newcastle, Co Dublin, is a true hidden gem that deserves recognition. The outstanding service provided by Ciara, coupled with the chef's culinary expertise, creates an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant's attention to detail, along with its flavorful dishes and perfectly portioned desserts, makes it a must-visit for anyone seeking a delightful gastronomic journey. I wholeheartedly recommend Annie May's and look forward to...