Skinners Cafe — Restaurant in Eastbourne

Strap in everyone, this isn't going to be a quick read.

My wife and I had an absolutely terrible experience here.

I would literally give this place a zero if could, I'll explain why.

The food was sub-standard, a Brie and Bacon 'panini' which wasn't a panini but actually a baguette. The amount of brie was pathetic. Certainly not worth the around £6.50 paid.

The tea we bought was a cup of hot water and a teabag on the side, so we had to make it ourselves.

The service was slow, considering how quiet it was (25 mins total to receive the food).

The woman serving was nice enough but the man cooking looked like he really didn't want to be there. Almost like we were ruining his peace by requesting food.

In total, we paid £16.80 for a completely unacceptable meal.

Give how the grumpy member of staff looked I didn't feel comfortable raising it at the time as I didn't feel they would be receptive to a complaint.

Now usually a review would end here, however... here comes the REALLY interesting bit. I posted up on my facebook page about my bad experience here, I posted it privately, not publicly as the business didn't have a public page at the time and I only wanted to warn my friends about this place. However the owners somehow saw my private post and sent me an unsolicited message asking me why I posted it on my page rather than talking to them and a little more about our experience.

Now for a business owner to chase someone down who'd written some thoughts on a personal social media page is odd but nonetheless I responded with my honest thoughts about the experience.

The message I received back from the business owner was pretty rude and abusive. I'll be happy to post the reply I received here so people can see what kind of person runs this business if it's of interest.

Essentially I was told that she was running two businesses AND working for the NHS. I was told that a comparison I made with another local eatery with a similar priced (but far superior) offering was inadequate. I was told that they've been in business for 13 years and they know what they are doing, they are proud of their offerings. I was told their customers love them (which makes me wonder why there were so upset at one private negative review). I was told that they hoped my act of 'unkindness' helped someone. I was told that my opinion of their business and food was a 'sad opinion'. I was accused of harassment by the business for leaving my review (I can only assume they will claim this review as harassment also then).

However most disgustingly I was told... 'In this time and day where war is in the world, putting a tea bag in a cup of hot water can upset Someone so much that they are happy to make some damage to somebody's family run business.'

Not only does her last statement grossly misrepresent the complaint, but the fact that she uses war to attempt to negate my opinion on her business, service and food is truly disgusting.

This is a business owner chasing down someone who has left a private review for some friends telling a customer that their opinion is sad and I shouldn't complain because there are wars happening.

The food was bad enough, her passive aggression was terrible, but being told a customer shouldn't complain tells you all you need to know about this business owner.

My original decision not to approach the owner directly has been ratified by her actions and messages after the fact.

Any good service business owner should have apologised and asked for the opportunity to make things right, not berate the customer.

Anyway, now they have a public review page, I can leave this honest review of the business. I am certain they will use this opportunity to berate me again.

Since this visit we have discovered Flour Flow in Hampden Park who's freshly made bread and delicious sandwiches blow this place away. I would highly recommend the Bacon Wagon. A freshly made focaccia with three rashers of thick bacon, fried egg, mushrooms, chips and home made Nduja Ketchup...

Came here for a spot of lunch and a coffee. The staff were very friendly and nice even though they never stop serving or being busy. I ordered the ham egg and chips which got to me in under 10 minutes which I thought was fantastic given how busy they were. The lady even apologised for keeping me waiting! You grab your own cutlery and sauces which reminds me of cafes when I was a child. They have a small soft play area and a role play are for children. There's even a messy play area but you have to book in advance for that.

My only very small criticism would be that there are no prices on the menu.

All in all a lovely experience and I will come again when my little one isn't due a nap so he can hive the soft play area a go.

Many thanks and keep up...

Very poor when paying discrepancy over cost finally came to over £30 for just full breakfast and poached egg on toast X2 with 3 latte's sat at our table took ages then only drinks delivered to table followed by quite a long time and only 1 meal followed by another long wait for another one then another long wait for the last one which ment we could not eat together without the meals going cold poached eggs not very well cooked and toast soggy !!!!! Very poor when comments made owner didn't seem that...