Starlings — Restaurant in Bristol

I have been to this cafe a few times now, the location is really convenient and the coffee is excellent. The staff are friendly and the menu is innovative. However a few points from today were a bit disappointing.

a) I ordered the salmon which without an egg was £12.50. This would have been fairly priced if the sourdough wasn’t stale and the amount of smoked salmon tiny. I have had this dish before, there was much more salmon previously but the bread wasn’t fresh the first time either

B) the ordering process is to go to the till, order and pay before taking a seat. On paying, I was offered the card machine and asked to choose an option before making payment -the option was which percentage to tip. I did feel a pressure to tip as the staff member at the till was watching- this 10 % brought my breakfast and coffee to over £18- extortionate, especially given the standard was not great. I felt I had been pressured to tip prior to receiving food and service, both of which were average today.

Coffee was excellent and a lot of effort has gone into the environment which makes it a good visit. As a local I’ll be returning but will order something else next...

Visited the cafe this morning on a cold, rainy day and I have to say, it left us with a very good first impression. Unassuming on the the outside but cozy and warm inside, we opted to sit in the garden area as it was already a bit crowded inside and we wanted to enjoy a bit of invigorating air out. I ordered chai latte and it's one of the best ones I've ever had because it's on the creamy side and just the right balance of spice. My husband got black coffee -- a proper coffee in terms of taste and size. We also loved the pastel de nata and the eclair --- creamy and not uber sweet. Best of all, kudos and special mention to the lovely staff who served our food. She was cheerful, thoughtful of what we needed, and was very kind and gracious enough to ask us if we wanted to çome in as it was cold outside. We declined and I said we will be able to appreciate the warm drinks more out in the cold. She laughed and went about her other chores. A heartwarming exchange on a cold, rainy, gloomy day....

Despite the great food and matcha, the service was terrible. It was my first time, and I wasn’t sure if we were supposed to order from the table or the counter. I tried to make eye contact with the waitstaff, but they all ignored me. I eventually had to ask another customer, who told me orders were made at the counter. Strangely enough, a group of customers who arrived after me were welcomed and given proper instructions. Also, The waiter said he would be there if they needed anything.

When I finally went to the counter, after the person ahead of me finished paying, the waiter didn’t even greet me—just told me to “wait a moment.” No acknowledgment, nothing. After placing my order and getting ready to pay, I was asked if I’d like to leave a tip. For what exactly?

If customers are expected to tip before eating, give them a reason to.

I’m a person of color, and maybe that had something to do with how this...