Park Side Kitchen — Restaurant in Great Britain

“At 11:55am on a Sunday, there were no more pastries left.”

We tend to try out new coffee shops regularly in Cardiff, and we came across Park Side on Instagram, so thought we would go and check it out.

We went on a Sunday morning around 11:15am. We were asked straight away if we had booked, to which we said no as we did not know there was a booking system. On their website it has a button to book a table, but there is nothing on their Instagram to indicate booking is advised during busy periods.

We waited about 10/15 minutes for a table, which was fine.

The interior is well designed and the muted colours complement the whole aesthetic.

As we were looking at the menu, my partner fancied one of their dishes that has smoked salmon. As we ordered (at 11:55am) we were informed that there was no more salmon left. So instead, we thought we could share a pastry. We were then informed that there were no pastries left. At all. The only things they had left were a couple of brownies.

At 11:55am on a Sunday, a coffee shop has completely ran out of pastries. We couldn’t quite believe it.

Instead we just ordered 2 coffees, both with oat milk. We also ordered a small cup with whipped cream in for our dog, but that never came.

Upon receiving the bill at the end of our visit, we noticed that a 1x25p charge was added for oat milk. I looked at the menu and there is a list of additional options, such as an extra shot or additional syrups, but any additional cost for alternative milk was not on the list.

I was also confused as to why there was only one charge for oat milk when we had two. My partner then mentioned that she thought her coffee looked and tasted a bit smoother than normal, to which we realised cows milk was used instead of oat milk.

It was very lucky that we are not allergic to dairy or vegan, and that we just prefer the taste of oat milk.

We raised this with one of the servers on the way out, but it was an apology and that was that.

It is a real shame as there is so many things here that are such simple mistakes and easy fixes.

I think I have left 3 or 4 reviews on Google in my life, but sadly this is my first negative one.

I hope management read this as constructive criticism, as it is a lovely venue and all these things can be...

Very negative experience at the weekend. A friend & I visited here and when seated, I said that we would be having coffee and weren’t sure whether we would be eating. We were served coffee with constant interruptions from waiting staff, asking if we were going to eat. We decided we weren’t and ordered a 2nd drink each as soon as we had finished our coffee. When the drink was brought to the table we were told we would need to leave soon. I asked if there were time restrictions on the tables (we had only been there about 45 minutes at that point) and was told that there weren’t but they may have people waiting (none seen at this point) With full drinks still on the table, the waitress then came back with the card machine for payment, closely followed by the manager who reiterated we would need to leave soon. At this point we said we were starting to feel quite harassed by his staff now. The manager clearly had an issue with the fact that we weren’t eating. We still had full drinks on the table at this point, I would have felt differently if we had been sat there for hours with empty cups but this was not the case. I have never experienced this before from any coffee shop I have visited. Reading other reviews posted on here , there seems to be a common theme that they don’t want to serve you just drinks/cakes and they want you to order food. If this is the case then customers need to be made aware of this. If I was told this when I arrived (and said I wasn’t sure if we were eating) I would not have stayed. Ended up paying £16 for 4 drinks and they had the cheek to include a service charge. Had I realised this, I would have asked for this to be removed. I don’t think badgering customers to leave warrants a service charge! If you want to operate as a restaurant only maybe you need to think about removing coffee and cakes from your establishment. Disgusting customer service and...

I can't stand meanness! I just had sourdough toast and coffee, but my wife had a full breakfast (which was top end price wise but good, she said), so we weren't made unwelcome because I wasn't "dining". But I have never been given one and a half slices of toast before. Anywhere! The price was similar to other places, but that was unbelievable! I get it, 25% saving on expenditure on sourdough bread! And noticed by others I see. Re, "If you just want coffee and cake, you can go to our cafe in the Heath." How arrogantly presumptuous and impertinent! So, if you just want a coffee in Cyncoed, clear off, we dont want you here, but you can go to our caff in the Heath where you won't be unwelcome! I've got a better idea. Go to Waterloo Tea by Waterloo Gardens or on Wellfield Road. Have just a coffee and two full slices of sourdough toast - or a full meal - and feel welcome either way. Of course, if you are made to feel unwelcome by Basil Fawlty at the Parkside Kitchen because you aren't spending enough as you only want a coffee, no need to go to Chez Basil 2 in the Heath or Waterloo Tea. Just pop over the road to The Discover for "bottomless coffee" - and a friendly welcome to all whether they spend a...