Cookfella's Bar & Eatery — Restaurant in England

Honestly, we were really disappointed by this place after seeing how highly reviewed it was on here. We were out for a 60th birthday meal for my mum and the service was just staggeringly poor. We had noted on our reservation it was for a 60th, and there was only three of us so it’s not as if we were a difficult party to manage. The place was quiet and there were plenty of staff too.

Whilst the staff aren’t unpleasant, it was just really poorly run. I spoke to the manager on duty to feedback and he was incredibly apologetic and offered a discount on our bill but even that got messed up.

Aside from the poor service, the food just really was very average (none of us actually enjoyed our meals). The only reason I gave the extra star was because of how sincerely apologetic the manager seemed to be, and the attempt to remedy through vouchers on next visit. By this point however it was too little too late. A 60th birthday is once in a lifetime and we don’t live in the area, so I declined his offer.

I can only assume, given the positive reviews, this was a one off.

Edit after response: the hostile, inaccurate and excessively defensive response from the owner of this place says it all really. I avoided going into detail in my original review as it didn't seem necessary but after the owner has replied with several fabrications it is now necessary to highlight those:

There was no 'initial error' on our party. My 80 year old grandmother pointed to correct item and read it out. I distinctly remember as I was conscious I didn't want there to be any confusion. We weren't offered anything free or nibbles. We were just asked 'can I do anything for you'. Of course we weren't going to ask for free food. Perhaps if it had been suggested we would have accepted. I asked for a glass of water and I was asked if I wanted a half pint or pint, I said 'a pint no ice'. and was delivered a half pint with ice. Is this the error of the century? No. Is it sloppy service? When combined with everything else that went wrong, yes: Asking for salt and pepper and being brought just pepper and a clearly empty salt shaker being brought cold onion rings with my meal that when I said were cold just got chucked by in the frier and refried (then being really greasy). Plates arriving with food spilt down the side. Staff in dirty t-shirts. Yes, this is bad service. In isolation, it's whatever, however altogether it's just a mess.

If it's 'fun dining' price it accordingly and make it fun. We didn't expect fine dining but what we got was worse than I've had in a wetherspoons. The food was bland and boring. Fish broth tasted off. Sorry, it's true! I tried to say it more diplomatically in my original review. I didn't tell your manager the food was great so that's a blatant fabrication. The bill was £59 down from £72, and I paid £59 - not £32.90 (thus not equating a loss to you of £28) we got £13 off, so again another fabrication. Do you really need to make stuff up to defend your reviews? Honestly, shocking. I returned because when we were left we were so shocked that the bill had been amended by your staff due to an error, adding £5 to the price (was originally £54 after discount). Given the poor service, we couldn't believe they would adjust the bill again after already giving us it over something so minor. When I returned, I was pleasant, calm, mild mannered. We're a very non-confrontational family of THREE. I didn't 'point' at anyone. I just said please could I have a quiet word somewhere - as to not embarrass him in front of any other customers - I did this so your other customers wouldn't hear what a poor experience we'd had. I thought it was only fair to return and give him feedback - if it was my business I would want the feedback so I could learn how to improve.

Your response is quite frankly cringeworthy and embarrassing. I'm sorry we ever visited and thanks for ruining a 60th birthday with such...

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