Brood — Restaurant in London

BEWARE- Suspected food poisoning and business harassment

This business has resorted to stalking my social media and now my WORK accounts, which are not accessible to the public. This is disgusting and aggressive behavior that is NOT ok.

My partner and I shared a paella at this restaurant for lunch and began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning same-day (me with upset stomach within 2hrs and serious nausea after 6-8hrs, my partner had nausea and vomiting after 8-10hrs). I HIGHLY suspect that this restaurant’s paella was the source of our food poisoning due to the timing, same symptoms, and due to the fact that this was the only food item we BOTH ate today and in the last several days. I did not consume anything else from this restaurant (no drinks, water, anything) besides this paella. Not sure what exactly the problem was (food out of temp, improper hygiene, etc.), but the food itself wasn’t hot (warm, but not hot) when we received it.

FYI- this in fact, was the only meal I consumed all day because I was too nauseous to consume anything later in the day besides water.

In response to the business- I said that my partner and I had not SHARED the same food items yesterday and for days prior, NOT that we had not eaten anything at all. A quick google search would also tell you that food poisoning symptoms can start within hours of eating contaminated food. There are in fact other reviews that share similar complaints, not just mine. CCTV footage would show that both of us shared a paella. Considering that it is HIGHLY unlikely that me and my partner could have gotten completely separate cases of food poisoning from separate meals/restaurants within hours of each other, I will not be reconsidering my review. Having a spotless kitchen does not mean that the food could not have been contaminated by going under temp, being handled with soiled hands/gloves, etc. Although I can understand wanting to defend your business, the complaints made are detailed and specific in nature. Patrons should not be harassed into removing or altering their valid reviews of your business. This includes editing your response to add entire paragraphs gaslighting and insulting the customer (even after further clarification was given in this paragraph).

Looks like the manager of this establishment attempted to add me on LinkedIn in attempts to what? Harass me? This is HIGHLY inappropriate and unprofessional behavior.

Second Edit- Their edit is highly concerning. I changed my public name because of aggressive and inappropriate behavior displayed by the Brood Management. Who on earth would add an individual that is making rude and intimidating remarks on their personal social media. I hope anyone that reads this thread thinks twice about supporting a business that thinks BULLYING customers who are giving their honest and valid...

If I could rate Brood a zero, or even less I would!!! Terrible service from the offset! I had asked the cost of a meal after missing the information on the menu board, where I was met with ‘it’s over there’ whilst pointing to menu board,by a member of staff (the owners daughter) in a irritable manner, before the answer was actually given.

I still regretfully proceeded to order!

Whilst waiting for my meal, my children (who were eating chips from another vendor) and I sat in the seating area, when my order number was called for collection!

Upon collection the same staff member rudely said ‘you can’t sit here if you’re eating from other vendors’ where I responded that I am not, totally ignorant to the fact that she was speaking of my CHILDREN.

I went back to the seating area, where I was followed by the staff member who then proceeded to make the point of not consuming food from other vendors at Broods seating areas.

I was shocked, as: A)I had personally ordered food from Brood B)we were occupying a small table, that no one else could occupy as me A PAYING CUSTOMER was seated there C) the lack of consideration, care customer service and customer value! D) There we’re plenty tables as the place was relatively quiet, therefore tables were plentiful!

Our back and forth went on for a while, and where she insisted that I purchased drinks from Brood inorder for me to remain seated in the seating area/ go to another seating area in the market!

Should I have abruptly stopped my hungry children from eating, to move them else where?! And furthermore Why would I want to spend anymore of my hard earned money in such a place?

I stayed seated, and she finally gave up, but from the first bite the food was substandard, unflavoured and I left with a sour taste in my mouth, not only from my experience, but the ladies audacity.

I understand the point, but make it to people who HAVE NOT made a purchase at Brood, and put CUSTOMER VALUE, at the forefront for people who have!

Kindness is free!

Response to Brood: You have confirmed I was at the restaurant, meaning FOOD WAS PURCHASED FROM YOUR ESTABLISHMENT. This also means your initial response is totally irrelevant and gaslights my experience with you as a customer. Finally my ‘partner’ did purchases a drink at his own free will, but there was no apology made, further to this it was prior to the staff member making a fuss over food purchased from another vendor being eaten at the seating area, meaning we not only bought food, but drinks too.

(My children has CHIPS no fish, and other party member a veg burger but joined us shortly before we left)

No need to fabricate stories to deflect from the poor customer service, and food on your side.

I can also see you’re unwilling to take any accountability, so we’ll leave it there, but I urge all future...

I had ordered some food from the burger restaurant next door which was a lot busier and came to sit down before I was immediately pounced upon by a member of staff who stated that this was only for their customers and could not have been any ruder if she tried. She told me I would have to leave unless I brought something despite nearly all their seats being empty and no signs or anything stating that the seats are for their customers only. I proceeded to leave and placed my food down and bags down on another table to organise myself before another equally rude staff began to tell me again that I could not sit here, at this point I got annoyed and told them to back off. I proceeded to eat my food at a table I was allowed to eat at nearby and noticed some appalling actions from the staff at Brood. The place has too many staff for the little service it gets so 2 members of staff just spent the whole time telling customers of other, better eateries that they cannot sit at their seats. It was so embarrising seeing the how the staff hounded customers out of their seats. You would think they would have the common sense to put a sign up! The place reeks of desperation and you can tell they know the places around them are busier and doing better than them so it seems like they take this out on the other establishments customers! As a result I would never eat here and would advise you all to avoid it like the plague. I mentioned this terrible experience to some of my colleagues who said they had eaten at Brood but none of them had ever returned so the food clearly isn't any better than the staff. Borough market has some fantastic places to eat all much better than this so there is no reason for anyone to ever visit this restaurant.

Edit:

Just got a notification that they have replied 5 years later, so must still be quiet at the restaurant. Just a heads up, the world can change in 5 years tables and chairs can be added and taken away. And just because I didn't eat doesn't mean I can not review your staff or...