Friends of Ham — Restaurant in Bradford

We returned to Friends of Ham, Ilkley for the first time since its opening night in August 2015. Despite it being a quiet Wednesday night at 6:30pm, the staff were clearly struggling to cope. I had to chase a drinks order after waiting more than quarter of an hour. Whilst waiting, it was obvious that the other customers were having to remind staff about drinks and food orders already placed and incomplete orders eventually being presented. Certain basic menu items weren't available (e.g. types of bread) and so alternative selections had to be made. When our initial drinks eventually arrived, we were advised that our selected wine wasn't available - indeed the first two cheapest bottles of white wine weren't available (at £18 & £19 each) - the only available white wine options cost between £23 - £36. Extortionate pricing and huge profit margins being exploited on trade price. Having waited so long just for drinks and experienced the shambolic level of service and poor availability of menu options, we decided to drink up and leave. We ate elsewhere and received good, efficient service and value. Friend of Ham has a good concept, image and superficial presentation. However, it's service level, menu availability and pricing structure need some serious attention. The individual staff by the way were all very pleasant, whilst struggling to cope in a badly managed & under-resourced...

We have always been a massive fan so the menu and good drink choice in the Friends of Ham. Our favourite place to eat. This time we were a little disappointed. The meat and cheese was of the same amazing quality which made up a little for the disappointing service and that the bread was not as fresh as it could of been. With the service, when we ask for extra oil a few times and it doesn't appear that was annoying. Also having to go to the bar to both order and pay to grap attention from staff was not normal and a bit disappointing. I usually buy a loaf of bread to take home. So when I ordered I asked for a loaf to be put aside for me. After the experience of dry bread I cancelled the bread. Well that met with an uncaring attitude from the member of staff. Even when I said why they didn't seem bothered. We also didn't like the fact that they have abandoned the beer flights for £10. On the whole dissatisfied and considering we drive to ilkley from Halifax to go to this place we don't feel like we will make the...

If you want a nice place to relax and eat out there are plenty of places in Ilkley other than Friends of Ham, in years of visiting here and hundred of other places I have never had to complain about the noise from customers...but according to the management, my family and another couple who left early because of this “din”...were lying when we felt the need to tell the staff we couldn’t hear ourselves...not in one whole lifetime have I ever had to do explain about noisy customers...and the management had the sheer disrespect for a customers experience they said we were lying...wow what an appalling attitude to customer care...no doubt friends of the staff there...it took several calls and emails to even get that out of them...nice attitude, especially with no USP. Clearly they decide that people’s experience don’t count unless...