The Beacon Beefeater — Restaurant in Dartford

I only recently found the Beacon. I was so impressed by the first visit on 27 October that I returned again on 5 November. This visit was not so successful. I booked a table for 4:30 and we did not get seated until about 45 minutes later. It was busy and there seemed to be a lack of staff available to everything that was required of them. One person was working at the bar so inevitably that makes service slow. I feel this is short sighted of management to run a restaurant on skeleton staff when demand for tables is high.

A few things were completely off the menu as they had "sold out" which is always disappointing at 5:00 on a Sunday.

I would return again but fear that they are putting service at risk because of cost and a restaurant of this size does need more staff than were available on this Sunday.

When we got home we discovered we had been charged for a meal we did not have - it was ordered but out of stock so an alternative was chosen we did not notice until we got home item had not been removed.

Restaurant was called several times and duty manager not around, being told to come down in person when I don't actually live close to it is not acceptable customer service. Never every receiving a call back and to date after eventually having a conversation with the manager being told that he would have to check stock to see if the item was actually out of stock. The key in this is that we were charged for 8 meals and there were only 7 of us which speaks for itself. Very disappointed how this was handled and to day 17 days later still not remedied. The overcharge was only £10 but it is the principle of it...

Was able to book a table on the day which was a bonus. We arrived at 4:30pm which is still classed a lunch time. On arrival we were seated by the person from the front desk and asked if we wanted drinks, which we placed an order. 2 out of 4 drinks arrived incorrectly. We had to wait some time for our server, Graham, to come over and I explained the issue with the drinks which he acknowledged as wrong and he arranged for it to be changed. He then proceeded to take out food orders. I specifically went to beefeater today for the Sunday roast, but was only told by Graham at this point that they had stopped serving Sunday roast. I had to then choose a different item from the menu which should’ve included corn on the cob - none of those either. Fine, they’re swapped to onion rings instead. Graham was very apologetic and I appreciate it’s not his fault. It would’ve been better if the first server had outlined these things before we ordered drinks as I’d be more prepared to select something that was available or might have left to go somewhere else. Waited quite some time for our food to come. The onion rings that were in place of the corn on the cob was pathetic. Graham again was very accommodating and got me some more. I could see that there were not enough waiting staff and Graham was very busy. Also I could hear other guests complaining, one had been waiting half hour for the bill, food was sent back by others. Just a really poor experience. All I can say is that Graham was very helpful, but I could tell he was having to do way too much. It’s only for him that I give the...

I always know It's always going to be a brilliant experience when Graham is our waiter. He has memorize our orders to a tee, always reassuring for both my daughters, father and myself, and nothing is ever too much, he always accommodates my father who is disabled and goes above and beyond for us. Always smiley, kind and happy to help and generally someone you can really get along with and feel safe in, always mindful of the customer. Along with the bar staff, Liz to name a few, whom is always a light that appears at our table, both are ready for chat while being completely professional and accommodating. Nothing is ever too much. We live in Essex and only ever come over to Kent for our meals with the beefeater simply down to the fact of the fantastic staff that are there otherwise we wouldn't. We all look forward to booking a meal with the Beacon simply down the staff. The food is always enjoyable and the atmosphere is usually kept to a minimum with low noise disruption, with myself and my daughter's being neurodivergent, austism and ADHD aids haven't been needed, today for example I wasn't able to regulate myself in a very busy place but as soon I got to the beacon I was welcomed by staff that put myself at ease. Vegan options for myself is so accommodating and sometimes able to be changed to requirements if needed. Somewhere we would all come time and time again and it's mostly down to the staff that is employed, always an enjoyment to be...