RF Cafe & Patisserie — Restaurant in Bolton

Wouldn't even give one star but can't leave review otherwise. We didn't even have a chance to order. We came four adults and two kids. There were 2 four-seat tables and 2 two-seat tables available. None were marked as reserved. A female assistant in a headscarf met us without any smile and talked in dry manner. She looked at us and said they don't have table for 6 and that we would have to wait outside. The weather was very changeable. We suggested that there are various options to move tables together which she completely ignored, mind you tables were not mounted into the floor. So she told us to wait 25 minutes. Ignoring the fact that they had put two tables together for another family- we could see it clearly. I came back after a while, and tried to move tables, because the staff couldn't either be bothered or didn't have intelligence for that. She came and tried to stop me. I explained to her that I had a medical condition that couldn't allow me to wait that long outside. She changed a story saying she told us to wait upstairs, to which I told her that wasn't true. At the end I just told her to fear God and left. Mind you, I had enough witness there that she was refusing to accomodate us. 16 years in UK and first time seeing such an inattentive place. That's not all. While we were standing inside, an Asian couple came in and occupied a four-seat table without being stopped. Then while we were waiting outside, two Asian women with 2 kids went in and were seated. We quickly realised that there were hardly any white people seating there, maybe none. So it gave us a clear impression that white Muslims are not welcome here. I couldn't be hungry for long, so we went to CUBE, which is across the street, where we left nice amount of money. Because the waiters were very attentive and looked after us nicely. It's funny that CUBE is run by an Asian family, but they had customers inside of any colour and dress code. If this was London, RF Patisserie would be in trouble long ago, but it seems some of Bolton's places tandards are far below average. Not accommodating at all. Don't bother if you are white. Update: oh waw, now, after reading the reviews here, I understand why the same female that refused to seat us suddenly appeared at CUBE and gave me the killer look. Apparently they are part of each other! Which we didn't know, otherwise we wouldn't bother going to CUBE as I wouldn't wish them profitting from us after snubbing us. I bet the lady will maybe try to make another story and tell her manager that she sent us to CUBE?! Well, you young lady need to learn from your colleagues/ relatives next door how to treat customers. REPLY TO YOUR REPLY: I did not expect another answer. We were waiting long enough outside and again your staff is lying - SHE DID NOT OFFER US TO SEAT UPSTAIRS for what I can swear on Holly Book. She only made it up after I told her of my medical condition. She should fear God and so you. Don't you dare say we did not have patience. We patiently waited outside, I had to sit on the door step as i was unable to stand, while you were offering those 4 SPARE TABLES to others. It is a common practice to pull tables together and you had done it for the family that was sitting on the side. Please check your CCTV if you have one. I have no choice but to report you to Trading Standards. Your staff was well aware that we waited outside. Neither she bothered to send us across the road. Now you try to involve other customers while they sympathised with our situation, may God forgive you. Those 4 tables had lots of options to be doubled up in various directions, without being close to anyone. Your staff didn't even bother to assist. I did not say any bad word to your staff, I actually pleaded to her to help us, and after her ignorance I just told her to fear Allah, which as a good Muslim she should take on. But I wouldn't expect any other reaction from you. As a family business you will cover each other no matter what. It is a pointless battle that customers cannot win with a family-run businesses....

So we booked the party room for an 18 year olds birthday. It was all well and good, until a member of staff spilt a full tray of drinks on a 16 year old. Apart from cleaning their mess they’d staff didn’t have audicity to help clean the 16yo clothes or apologise for their mistake. The service was slow and yet still as a group we didn’t complain. The food was mediocre the same fried chicken was used for everything, burgers and all … At the end the staff decided to tell us we were very loud during our party and that upset customers. We did apologise for being loud and advised that if the staff felt this way we would have expected them to come and inform and we could have been more careful, yet they didn’t. The staff did after we mentioned give a complimentary free meal to the 16 year old who the drinks were spilled on, only after the young girl was upset because she didn’t get an apology from staff and this turned into an altercation between her and grown staff. Which is an embarrassment for the establishment as they could have handled and complaint professionally. The elder members helped calm the situation down, as grown staff shouldn’t be arguing with under age girls it’s embarrassing. The staff were cross because we were a group of 14 who staff tried to over charge for extra drinks we never drank. I feel it’s unfortunate that a professional business can’t handle a few customers. If you couldn’t handle a group of girls having a party don’t advertise a PARTY ROOM!

Response to owner

Yes the waitress (regardless of her age) made a mistake. This mistake wasn’t hers it was the responsibility of the management. She shouldn’t have had so many drinks on one tray. This in itself is a matter of health and safety she could have been cut or hurt! She probably cried because of the way the management handel Ed the situation and made her clean the mess after the humiliation of dropping the drinks. For a child that is a big thing and we respected that. The girls photographed themselves and not your staff to fill the time it took to clear up!!! The whole incident in itself was an accident waiting to happen. She was carrying 14 drinks hot and cold on a small round tray. The male manager at the shop shouted at this worker, I witnessed this with my own eyes. The girl cried and then proceeded to go home. So the reason your 16 year old cried and went home was the fault of the management and not the party group! The staff that brought the orders up were respected. Nobody made any snarky comments to them, the child that had her clothes ruined stated a fact that she was wet through to her pants. It took your staff 30 minutes to clean the drinks away. Then another 45 minutes to get more drinks and the food. They were given ample space to do the clear up with respect. They not once asked or tried to help with the child’s clothes. The attitude of the staff downstairs was in itself abismal. They instigated the children. By making comments on the noise. Something which wasn’t brought up throughout the entirety of the stay. The food was served in 10- 15 minutes intervals yet we still didn’t complain. The bread was stale and the food was spicy that most left half plates. The drinks orders were wrong we still didn’t complain. Your staff spoke with the upmost rudeness’s not once did anyone apologise. Yet you expected to make smart remarks and comments and expect them to be tolerated. When there’s a bunch of 16 year olds this isn’t appropriate. You literally told the birthday girl to get lost, and so what if she didn’t get any cake. Never in my entire life have I witnessed or experienced such unprofessionalism and even if you was the last eating joint opened I would never step foot myself or advise anyone else to step foot in your establishment. You’re a danger to safety, hygiene...

A few days ago I visited with a few of my friends and came across some of the worst customer service I have ever come across! We didn’t have to wait long to be seated and had a little wait upstairs in the waiting area which didn’t have enough seating so some of us were standing around. Once we sat down we ordered drinks (apple and raspberry mojito) and mine literally came without ice and all it tasted like was syrup. Eventually I went and asked for ice and then it watered the flavour down a tad bit but sadly it still wasn’t very enjoyable. The worst part was when our mains came. I ordered the beef sliders and to my shock as I bit into it...all I saw was raw, pink meat inside the burger! So I cut into the burger and I could clearly tell that the meat wasn’t fully cooked. I called the waitress over to have a look so she took the food back to the kitchen (with no apologies might I add) then to mine and my friends surprise she came back and put the raw food down in front of me again and started telling me that apparently because the beef is fresh from the butchers that’s why the meat is still a bit pink inside. Still a bit pink inside?? It was RAW!!! After that she just casually walked off. Then I started to make a fuss and take pictures of the food and her manager realised and decided to come over. Yet again she had the same excuse that it wasn’t raw and even if she threw it on the grill again it wouldn’t cook anymore?? Erm I cook at home and know what meat looks like when it is properly cooked and I also know that if I chucked it back on the grill it would get fully cooked! I said to her that I just can’t eat it and it’s put me off my meal and then she was like Do you want me to change it (in a horrible uninviting tone) bearing in mind I had already pre paid for my food. I said no I would rather not. I think I was actually in shock by everything that had happened and the fact that they wanted me to still eat the raw meat and tried to get me to convince myself that it was because it was fresh meat. It was bloody fresh and raw yuck!! I’m not usually the type to write reviews but that was absolutely disgusting and disgraceful. One of my friends sliders were the same too but she managed to just eat around the raw meat but I honestly didn’t want food poisoning! I only called them over to tell them so that they know for next time. I was too put off the eat but wanted them to know as they have opened up new and feedback should be taken positively but instead they felt like they had to defend themselves. I’m sorry but I have had many sliders in London and none of them came out raw like that. They need to work on their customer service and cooking skills and like many have said they are just young girls without any experience or skills. If you guys want raw food and bad customer service feel free to visit! The only nice thing about the place was the decor but there are other places that serve cooked food and are decorated better. My advice to anyone is avoid unless you want food poisoning!! I’ve added pictures of the food on tripadvisor if anyone fancies...