Booked this restaurant as heard nothing but good things about and from their posting on social media, I had such high expectation of the place and food.
Firstly, they're almost impossible to get through over the phone and so you find yourself going on your personal Instagram to have to contact them which I found quite unprofessional but not shocked as they have built their credibility on there from the influencers that have been there.
All good on arriving at restaurant- got sat at the very end table overlooking the kitchen and right from sitting down, we’re both covered in the smell of food. Requested to be moved to a different table and the waiter said he’d be back and that was the end of it. The waiter allocated to our table was really nice and did his very best to make our stay as nice as possible but was failed by his team members.
We ordered our starters that were brought and immediately while in the middle of having the starter, mains were brought out too so felt a bit rushed. The BBQ ribs were quite mediocre for the price, found ourselves sending ¾ of it back as it had no taste or flavour. Hummus very bland with stale bread which again we sent back and no questions were asked on why none of the starters had been finished. For the mains we had lamb chops which were the best thing had in there, ordered what they call fries which turned out be chips with some mixed spicy herbs thrown all over them and parmesan all over it which were sent back in full apart form the spicy chips but no question. Ordered the Turkish baklava desert which the waiters are supposed to cut in half and cover it with the ice cream in the middle but with us, it was dropped on the table and all was said was “there you go” by one of the waiters.
Happy to say I requested for the service charge to be excluded as was not going to pay for an unsatisfied service received. Once bill paid, off we were dismissed. Staff seem to only care about the influencers and their opinions, actual real paying customers aren’t given the time of the day and it’s a real shame.
Overall beyond disappointed with the level of service received and food that is extremely overpriced for the standards they’re delivering the food for. It’s Willesden high street Turkish food delivered at a central London restaurant price. For what we had, I did not think it was worth £98+. Definitely would not recommend this to anyone nor go back there- a totally...
Read moreWe were a big group and some of us came from out of town and have dined in similar places like this; Etci Mehmet Manchester. The concept is very similar to Etci Mehmet minus the shisha area. As a seasoned steak eater who enjoys her steak medium rare from good cuts of meat…. I can honestly say I was not impressed. For the price they were charging I was expecting more. I certainly didn’t expect my steak to be dry and lacking that familiar flavour. And many of our friends also felt their food was dry, lacking flavour and the burgers were too doughy. The baklava was tasteless and nothing like what we have had in other establishments. The waiters, as polite as they were to do their best were overwhelmed by the order system and that reflected in the timing of the food, drinks, cutlery, glasses and drinks coming out. Several requests were sent for glasses when the jugs of water arrived at the table. The sauces arrived 10minutes after the steaks/ mains were served. Sides came out much later after the main meal was served. And we even had one person get her food much much later when we were all tucking into our main dishes.
The place was unkept with litter under the tables and the toilets were awful; water everywhere!
The manager was very attentive and listened to our complaints. To be fair he did what he could to send his customers away heard having taken on board our comments and complaints. And because of that reason I’ve given 3 stars. I would have given 2 if the manager was not attentive.
I think staff need more training and support to manage big groups and to ensure they are in control of the dining experience for their customers. The manager needs to always be scanning every table to see that the waiter is able to manage that group from beginning to end. Kitchen staff need training and support to ensure every meal has its sides delivered to the table on time. Kitchen staff also need to look at the quality of the food they send out; is it succulent or overcooked and dry?
Overall, the evening was not a total disaster but there is a lot of room for improvement especially when there are other establishments offering similar dining concepts. To stay in this industry you have to make sure your customers keep coming back because the food was excellent, the service was excellent. People are willing to pay the price if the food and service lives up to that...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of visiting VU Lounge, and I must say that my experience was nothing short of amazing, thanks to the incredible service provided by Amr, my host for the evening. From the moment I stepped foot into the lounge until the time I left, Amr went above and beyond to ensure that I had a memorable and enjoyable time.
Amr's warm and welcoming demeanor immediately put me at ease, creating a comfortable atmosphere for the entire evening. He was attentive and genuinely interested in making sure I had everything I needed. Whether it was recommending the perfect drink or ensuring that my food preferences were catered to, his attention to detail was exceptional.
One aspect that truly stood out was Amr's extensive knowledge of the lounge's offerings. He effortlessly guided me through the menu, providing insightful suggestions and descriptions for each item. His expertise and passion for the lounge's cuisine and beverages were evident, making the dining experience all the more delightful.
Not only did Amr excel in his knowledge and attentiveness, but his impeccable timing and intuition were also commendable. He seemed to know exactly when to approach the table to check on us and when to provide us with some space to enjoy our conversations. His ability to strike the perfect balance between being present and giving us privacy was truly remarkable.
Furthermore, Amr's professionalism and friendly nature added an extra layer of comfort to my visit. He was approachable and eager to engage in conversations, making me feel like a valued guest. It was evident that he genuinely cared about creating a positive experience for every visitor to the lounge.
Overall, I cannot speak highly enough of Amr's exceptional service as my host at VU Lounge. His dedication to ensuring that each guest had an unforgettable experience is truly commendable. If you're planning a visit to VU Lounge, I highly recommend requesting Amr as your host. His passion, knowledge, and outstanding service will undoubtedly enhance your time at this remarkable establishment.
I look forward to returning to VU Lounge and experiencing Amr's impeccable...
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