Battels — Restaurant in London

I have visited here once before and the food was decent and we had a nice spot, though our whole group did remark that it was pricey for the amount of food given.

We visited today for a coffee and a bite and left without eating or drinking our order.

Although the place was busy the service was incredibly slow, it did look like the staff really didn't know what to do.

We asked for some water along side our order, the bottle of water came but 5-10 mins later, no glasses until we asked. It took another 10 mins to get the milkshake we ordered. A chocolate and banana one except the banana was in slices and a tiny straw to drink it from. Not sure how we were meant to drink that. Eventually they re did it so the banana was broken up, but didn't fit up the straw!

After at least 30 mins since we ordered our crepe arrived. £10 for a smoked salmon, ricotta and spinach crepe. The ingredients were pretty sparse and it was smoked salmon trimmings and not slices (the cheap stuff), the ricotta was very thinly spread. We asked to see the manager and said that we weren't happy with it, her response was that that's just how they make it and everyone else eats it and is happy. When we complained about the slow service she just said that it is very busy and people should book (despite the fact that our table and others were free when we walked in). She ended with stating that we don't have to eat it and walked off. Not even an attempt to improve it.

Their extractor fan was clearly useless, it was smokey in there and my clothes now stink.

So we left never to return! And down the road to Pinner, better, cheaper crepes and far lovelier staff!

It is EXTREMELY rare for me to rate somewhere so badly, but this owner and her staff need to really sort...

NEVER GOING BACK HERE....VERY RUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Went here for breakfast whilst I was killing time. First impressions on getting in was OK for the exceptions of the odd fly which I guess comes with the hot weather especially when doors and windows are left open.

Staff includes 2 female waitress staff and A female chef who is also the proprietor. For the purpose of this review I will tag the waitresses W1 & W2.

So I sat at a table opposite the Juice bar which was manned by W1. I noticed that towards the back of the cafe were two other ladies / customers of Indian origin having breakfast like me.

The chef was sitting 2 tables from my right doing some work on her laptop. When customers place an order she would go into the kitchen to cook and then return to her laptop.

W2 gave me the menu and I ordered the 'Master Breakfast' priced @ £8 see attached pictures. Whilst I was eating: W2 kept pacing up & down in front of me. The other customers had finished & their payment was taken by Chef. Another customer came in, ordered & the chef went into the kitchen to cook the order.

I finished and paid @ the till with W2 taking my payment. I also noticed that W1 was not around at this time.

I got back to my table, packed my bags & left. As I was leaving the Cafe, W1 had reappeared in the cafe, the chef was back at her laptop and W2 was no longer around.

I was about 3 doors away from the cafe when I heard a voice say excuse me. On turning around, it was W1 who said "I just want to ask...

Battels is my local coffee shop and whilst I love it's cute vibe, I was served by the most unfriendliest staff during my last visit. Some of the ladies were super smiley and helpful (the girl with the glasses couldn't have been nicer!) however the girl that served me my food and rang up my bill did not smile at all. She seemed annoyed to have to deal with a customer. She barely looked in my direction and spoke so monotonously. I don't think it's much to ask for service with a smile. It was a proper gen z stare moment. Yikes. Unfortunately this was not t he first time I've been served by a blank faced girl there. To add insult to injury, the prices are hiked up due to the location. For what you're getting, it is overpriced. The menu has not changed in decades I'm guessing and it's opening hours are somewhat inconvenient for a café. As a resident of the hill, Battels is unfortunately the only café - hence why it's able to charge what it does for what it offers. If you like an aesthetic café in a cute village location it's great. If you're after service with a smile, value for money and normal opening hours, it's not the...