Joop's Place — Restaurant in Essenwood

What an absolute disaster eating at “Joops Place” on 01 October 2024.

Only after looking online to see other reviews and experiences did we find the post that on 22 August 2024 the old owners handed over to this “Spirited new team” which are actually just a bunch of people who have 0 idea about this industry and have absolutely destroyed a famous name!

I don’t recommend this place to my worst enemy!

My dad came to visit us and decided to treat my partner and I to dinner, having eaten there before I quickly recommended it and wow what an embarrassing recommendation.

Our experience was as follows.

Sat down at 17:30 as my dad likes an early dinner.

Starters :

1 X Cheesy Garlic Roll and 1 X Jalapeño Garlic roll. There was a liquid processed cheese spread in the stale bun that was ice cold in the middle, then there was some commercial flavourless garlic and some cheese melted under a grill and the jalapeño version just had a few slices of jalapeño sprinkled.

Leading to mains which took more than 40 minutes, the waiter came to check on us an I specifically asked him to ensure my food was warm because I cannot stand cold food.

Mains :

My dad ordered 1 X 900 Gram T bone and salad, the T Bone was ordered medium rare but was ice cold in the centre and raw in a few parts as it was also unevenly cut.

The salad was fresh however the olive oil we would of loved to use as a dressing is a bulk horrid olive oil blend that the waiter brought to us and proudly showed us when we asked what olive oil it was.

An establishment like this should serve extra virgin olive oil for salads!

My partner ordered a Jalapeño Popper Steak, he ordered it rare and the same thing it was ice cold in the centre as was everything on his plate, the steak was under done and the jalapeño poppers were burnt and tasteless.

We ordered a side sauce of chimmi churri butter which was nothing more than crushed garlic and a splash of fake olive oil no butter at all!

The worst for last was my meal which was the Surf and Turf 300 Gram which I ordered medium rare and it was blue and ice cold ❄️

Ice cold was the theme of the night !

I sent my plate back 3 times, the third time lucky all they got right was the chips were finally hot but the prawns were overcooked and dry with no flavour at all.

The steak had a sauce which tasted like microwaved margarine not butter.

We called a manager at the second time sending the order back and his comment was “I don’t know what’s going on with these staff today”

My partner ate 1/4 of his food and just couldn’t, while the waiter was clearing the table he proceeded to mess a whole container of olive oil onto one of our jackets and all over the floor.

The empty tables at what was once a place that you had to book way in advance shows the direction this place is heading and it’s no fault other than their own.

11/10 caution all people...

Was so looking forward to going to this place after all the amazing reviews. Eventually I booked for my husbands 30th birthday here and the food was great. Not great enough to make up for the grumpy staff though. Unfortunately the hostess was quite rude and stuck up. The waiters weren't too happy as well. Could have been an off day because the entire staff looked tense. Maybe the staff were scolded before the restaurant opened. Felt as if we were just being tolerated. We were not treated well. We got out of there as soon as we could. Should have booked at Butcher Boys.

To name one of the bad incidents... We ordered a Coke and it didnt taste like coke (it had an alcohol like smell and taste. We assumed the glass might have been dirty) the hostess comes to our table and very loudly protests that there's nothing wrong with it and tastes fine to her. We quietly asked for a new coke and we did say that we were fine paying for both. I've been to restaurants around the world and I have never been treated so rudely by a hostess. Like I said... could have been an off day. Sorry Joops Place. I hate giving bad reviews but I am genuinely disappointed. Your hostess ruined my husbands birthday.

The restaurant did contact me and explained that we were treated so badly because I had 2 cancelations due to emergencies. Not good enough Joops Place. Sorry. I did mention the number of kids and that the pram would take a place as well. I am very thorough when I make my bookings and I don't see how you can justify punishing your current customers with bad service because of no shows that we had...

Firstly I would like to State that Joops has been our number one steak place and we visited often. We always received the Best service and incredible food, not once did we have a bad experience previously. However, my partner and I decided to have lunch at Joops recently and it was absolutely shocking how the standards have dropped.

We ordered our usual steaks and sides, after a few minutes our waiter informed us that they do not have any cream spinach or pumpkin delight, Also bare in mind that we have been to Joops on several occasions, the restaurant Was always full and not once were we told that they do not have a specific item.

We went around 2pm, there were only 3 occupied tables, I don't understand how they ran out of the popular pumpkin delight and cream spinach.

Our steak's arrived and it was not done as we asked, I received a well done steak instead of medium. The steak had a burnt taste and Was horrible.

Our mushroom sauce was watered down The mash had big pieces of potatoes and it had no salt whatsoever.

Throughout our time there no One came through to ask if everything is okay, the standards have dropped drastically and it seems like there is New owners in charge.

Absolutely disappointed at how Bad this restaurant is being run. The service and food is definitely NOT what...