Botanica Kirkby Lonsdale — Restaurant in England

Very poor service!

I'm sorry to say that I was very dissatisfied. I visited shortly after lockdown was relaxed; the cafe was not very busy. I am only saying this just so that it puts my next comments onto context.

We were seated indoors with four others (in 2 different groups), the 6 of us were the only people seated indoors, though there were a similar number outside. The orders were taken from the two adjacent groups and my husband and I patiently waited. After a considerable time my husband requested menus, the others people had already received their drinks, and I'm not exaggerating then I tell you that the waitresses seamed to be ignoring us; they looked right past us as if we weren't there.

The others were served drinks and finally food; I reminded the waitress that we were there and still waiting to order. After around 3/4 of an hour our food (club sandwiches) arrived, but still no drinks. Again we had to point out that we were waiting for two teas. The waitresses express surprise that we hadn't been given our drinks.

The sandwiches we're fine but the sweet potato fries were inedible as they had been liberally covered in salt.

We told the waitress that we wanted to pay but I told her that we needed to pay quickly as I'd only paid for two hours in the car park. Yes it really did take that long, to get two teas and two sandwiches.

I would have walked out way sooner, but my husband told me to wait. The food was not cheap but he said that it would be nice to spoil ourselves. We certainly will NOT be...

We were really looking forward to this meal but had a terrible experience. The woman who brought our drinks accidentally dumped the entire tray onto our table and onto my lap. Very unpleasant, but not the end of the world. An understandable error!I went to the toilet and used the hand dryer for awhile and decided to try and enjoy the meal in soaking wet jeans.

No one came out. No one checked on us. The woman brought out a few bits of napkin. Then nothing. Finally we tried to order more of our appetizer because it had been drowned. We were about to be charged when I mentioned the tray of drinks. She acted like we should be grateful she didn’t charge us for a second!!!! We were still charged for all the drinks and the appetizer. Nothing compensated for a terrible uncomfortable experience.

Several other things went wrong that don’t warrant one star. Like the ‘kids ice cream’ was £5.50. A cocktail was terrible and we had to get a re-do. £16 crispy pork belly came with no rice and no sides (and wasn’t remotely crispy). But the kicker was when we went to pay and we’re asked ‘how was it”? And my husband said ‘really not good’ and referenced the debacle with drinks everywhere and was then handed the £118 bill.

I think some apology, some compensation should be made when an entire tray of drinks is dumped on the table, soaking the patron who proceeds through the meal drenched in sticky lemonade. We won’t return despite...

This review is not about the food quality or dining experience which were excellent on previous visits. My comments relate to a lack of empathy, zero flexibility and poor communication from the management team/owners of this restaurant. I was given a gift voucher some two weeks ago which unfortunately I misplaced. When I phoned to explain, I identified the date on which it was bought and offered to source the bank details of my friend who had purchased it, as evidence. I was told by the lady who answered my call that nothing could be done. I was quite upset, both by my stupidity in losing this and also by the dismissal of my issue, so I emailed the owners. I appealed, as a returning customer, for some positive consideration on my loss bearing in mind the value of the voucher and its relatively recent purchase. My email was never replied to which I find surprising and upsetting. I acknowledge the loss of the voucher was my fault and its absence could have given the restaurant a headache in processing. However, in that l I am an honest and returning customer and this is a small local business, I would have felt some negotiation could have taken place. I wish the restaurant well ( the food is lovely) but neither I nor my family or friends...