French Connection Table Table — Restaurant in Ashford

Visited on at 5.30 on a Saturday afternoon, it was very quiet with only a hand full of tables being used. We had gone here specifically for their festive menu (as the normal menu is very small and mostly consists of everything being smothered in BBQ sauce - with no option to ask to swap it to something else. This included garlic mushrooms in BBQ sauce!) As I said we came for the festive menu, had already checked it wasn't pre book only and had established it was available at our Ashford branch and within the date of our visit. So when we were told they weren't serving it we were disappointed and did consider leaving. But decided to order off their normal menu... We had three courses. The food was expensive given the quality. Nachos were soggy, meat was burnt and very over cooked including black chicken... Someone asked for no egg only to be served with egg all over their dinner. We were rushed into finishing our starter with people repeatedly checking to ask if we were done yet and then loudly saying they're not done to co workers in a grumpy way... When asked for clarification on what an apple Betty (pudding) was they said I can't explain it you'll have to see it. Several things on the normal menu (which was very limited) were out of stock. Saying they didn't have the ingredients. To top it off, During our visit we were sat near the kitchen and noticed most of what was going out was actually off the festive menu which I was told was not available. After paying I asked our waitress why we were told it was not being served and yet clearly was - we were told that two larger tables had ordered it and the chef had approved this but that they were worried the kitchen couldn't cope if large amounts ordered from this menu therefore all smaller groups were told they couldn't order from it (there were five of us). This seemed unfair. But I politely said this should perhaps be stated on the website as it was the only reason we chose that location. Another waitress came up behind me and aggressively raised her voice saying it's subject to availability (well not really given the fact they had it and just couldn't cope with cooking it?!) I repeated this should be on their website and she shouted "it is" I told her it wasn't. And she shouted "it's in terms and conditions" when I informed her I'd actually read the terms and conditions before mentioning anything she shouted "well it's in the menu" and quickly ran off behind the bar. The attitude was completely unacceptable especially given the fact I was politely giving feedback which I simply would have liked them to pass on to their managers. Not only this but the general environment is not great with peeled leather seats (by that I do mean barely any leather left) and rust all over the radiator in the bathroom which is situated right under the hand dryer (which blows all the germs from the rust onto your lovely clean hands). We felt rushed and that the service and food quality was awful. We spoke to fellow customers on our way out who had to wait nearly an hour for their order to be taken, and who had also been annoyed at the refused festive menu despite other tables getting it (it seems this place really does pick and choose!). Do not...

I stayed at the premier inn. I used table table for food. On arrival, I cannot thank the Scottish lady enough. She was awesome. I was desperate for the loo and she got my drink etc ready while I went (took me 13 hours to arrive) I came out the loo and my drink was on the bar waiting. Lovely friendly lady and wonderful chat. Saturday morning I had breakfast booked, it was delicious and plenty available, again all staff were lovely. Saturday evening me and my family went for drinks and Alfie was so wonderful, treated us like friends and it was noted. Nothing too much bother. He is a huge credit to the team. Sunday I skipped breakfast and Sunday evening I could not decide on dinner. I waited but did book a table using the website. When I came for a table I got ignored for a short time then a comment from a member or staff (larger fella, dark hair and glasses) of...... Why do you always leave it until last minute? Now, he was smiling so may of been a joke to him, but for me.... this was my one and only evening meal, and yes booked a table last minute. I have many health issues and often am unsure if I can eat, so yes I was only booked in with 30min notice, that was due to my health issues, why book dinner if I then cannot eat due to my health? I wanted to ensure I could eat before deciding and messing people about. I ignored him, (in my opinion, never judge a customer, you do not know their situation) the lovely Alfie on Sunday evening showed me to my seat and took a drink order, friendly and chatty as ever. Then Mathew came and took my order. He was very busy but still look the time to see how i was. I ordered steak, medium to well done. It was more.... a bit past well done, but due to my health issue, I don't eat much. So I ate what I could manage. Mathew cleared my table when I was done and was very caring. He asked if I wanted anything else, how I was etc. I had another drink (again the wonderful Alfie took care of me) then headed to bed. Alfie, Mathew and the Scottish lady are super members of the team. However, I do think the other chap needs additional training. Judging customers is not acceptable. My very bald head as a women should of screamed this women has health issues. I booked a table, in good time and above board... I didn't need judging for my one and only evening meal. But like I said... rest of the guys were amazing. But that comment about why leave to last minute did spoil my evening. It made me low and not...

We (party of 2) arrived here just before last orders having not long got to the hotel.

We had to go looking for anybody as there was no staff present at the bar or where we had been waiting to be seated. Once sat down, our orders were taken and drinks were brought over swiftly.

In this time I used the bathroom and could barely wash my hands as the tap water was boiling hot. Later on we overheard a customer complaining about this so it wasn't just me.

When the food arrived the garlic bread on both plates was literally black. I understand the kitchen was near to closing time but this isn't an excuse for the chefs to give us burned food. When we asked for fresh garlic bread, the waitress was quite rude (a reocurring theme), and it took so long for the new garlic bread to come that we had nearly finished the rest of our food by the time it came.

To top this off, while we were still eating the waitress comes and puts the bill on the table, which we hadn't asked for. By this point we felt like we were being almost a nuisance to the staff for just being there.

After we'd finished we asked the gent who seated us who we assumed to be the manager what time they closed, to which they said 10, different from the 11 we had been told at the Premier Inn reception. When we went to pay, we double checked this with the waitress, as the website also said 11, to which she said "well we're short staffed tonight and the website's just wrong" in a bit of a fed up tone.

After paying we politely said we found it quite rude that we were brought the bill while we were still eating and before we'd asked for it, which was met with "well we're closing soon and I'm going home in a minute", which we thought was just foul customer service, a thought solidified when we then heard her walk into the kitchen and start kicking off about us.

After a long day of travelling we thought this would be a chance to relax and unwind, but we were made to feel like a burden to inexcusably rude staff. We will be making a formal complaint and definitely not returning. If you are staying in the Premier Inn, I'd recommend just going to the McDonald's across the rode....