Café Impromptu — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

Having previously visited this cafe and had wonderful service, delicious cakes and excellent coffee I returned today.

Unfortunately my experience this time (09/09/23) was unprofessional and discriminatory.

I saw a table which was free and mentioned to the waitress I would like to order but first needed to use the toilet. She advised me they were upstairs. I glanced to the side and they looked relatively narrow and steep, and mentioned to the waitress the last time I was here I used the toilets down towards the kitchen, which are wider and only two or three to navigate.

The waitress said they were for people with mobility issues, which I said that was me, and that I had left my Blue Badge in the car across the street when I parked up. She looked me up and down blatantly assessing her view of my mobility, and asked me if I could manage stairs, which I said not really - she then allowed me to use the toilet near the kitchen. This dialogue happened in the centre of the cafe, where other customers couls hear and see.

Fortunately, have a copy of my disabled badge on my telephone and when I came out of the toilet the waitress was sat down speaking to her colleague. I waited until they had finished speaking and showed the waitress my disabled badge photo, even going as far as enlarging the picture so she could visibly see it was me.

said to her quietly and discretely, which was not the privilege she afforded to me earlier, she should be aware not all disabilities are visible, when she had asked if I had mobility issues. It was unprofessional and insensitive to have challenged me further by asking if I could manage stairs. The conversation should have ended there.

The waitress in question became very defensive, began sighing and huffing and initially denied she questioned me further, saying she asked if I could manage stairs which was her attempt at re-writing history. When I corrected her and said she shouldn't have asked me if I could manage stairs after had previously answered her original statement regarding mobility issues she pressed further.

I stated to her she would not have asked me that question had I had a walking stick, crutches, or been in a wheelchair. I firmly believe she discriminated against me from the way looked, in addition to my nationality.

I asked her why she was becoming increasingly defensive, as I hadn't been defensive when she questioned me which she denied, then she said she was too busy to discuss it further and called herself a terrible waitress - clearly her benign attempt at being facetious.

I left the premises after this, which was a shame as the food is terrific and the staff usually so friendly and kind.

That particular individual needs retraining and awareness in equality and discrimination as per the Equality act 2010, in addition to intense training on professionalism and...

My mum, dad and myself had been here on a previous trip to Ashbourne, but only had a cappuccino with the time getting on, and we found it to be a lovely place. So this time, on a solo trip, I decided to stop by for breakfast, which came with two sausages, bacon, baked beans, mushroom, a tomato, black pudding, hash browns, fried bread and white or brown toast. Thankfully, it wasn't too crowded inside and I was able to choose a table at the bottom, nearest the counter, as these are great for solo customers or a party of two. Had a look through the menu, and chose the regular breakfast with granary toast and a cappuccino for the drink. Super cosy place with awesome chairs and tables (going for the marbled look, complimenting the black and white chairs very well!) It was clean and I noticed, by the side, there was a glass jar of dog treats and some blankets, so I think well-behaved dogs are allowed. The lady who served me, as well as the other ladies, were super pleasant and very friendly. Food came out and was presented nicely on the plate, everything hot and cooked to perfection! The fried egg was fabulous and runny, the sausages well-seasoned (proper ones too, not like some you get elsewhere). The hash browns were nice and crispy, not soggy at all! Very filling and certainly set me up for the day. I think the breakfast and cappuccino came to about £16 altogether, which I don't think is bad at all, considering everything was fresh. Would have no hesitation coming back in the future, and would HIGHLY recommend! Many thanks to the staff at...

Booked a table last minute - hedging our bets not really expecting to be busy on a Wednesday lunchtime - we were surprised!

Walked in reassuringly busy inside, looking slightly bedraggled with a child in a carrier and a dog - made to feel more than welcome by the staff.

Slightly overwhelmed by the menu, such an amazing array of options all looking lovely.

Between us we opted for Smoked salmon and scrambled egg, Tuna Nicoise salad and Tuna and cheese jacket potato.

Wonderfully creamy scrambled egg, masses of smoked salmon, gorgeously crisp salad and a zingy flavoursome dressing - 5 out of 5 for a lunch.

Tuna Nicoise had a mountain of tuna, same wonderful salad and plenty of fresh - perfectly boiled egg. 5 out of 5.

Jacket potato was a wonderful size, nicely cooked soft, creamy potato, masses of tuna and cheese topped of with the now staple side salad. 5 out of 5.

Circa £30 for 3 drinks and 3 lunches not the cheapest but more than reasonable for the swift friendly service, all of us left happy and stuffed.

Thanks to the lovely...