Davy's at St James' — Restaurant in London

I had attended a private party where the staff were drinking bottled beers from iced buckets most of the evening, and did not need to visit the bar upstairs.

However later on, around 2200 I did visit the bar and ordered a pint of Bitter Shandy. To my utter disbelief I watched as the barmaid proceeded to empty the contents of the drip tray into my pint jug. I called over to her and stated I did not want to be served the “slops” and she hastily replaced my drink. When taking payment, I expressed my dismay informing her that what she had done was disgusting. She was perfectly apologetic and said that this is what she had been told to do. At this point, another male member of staff started laughing at me, and said I had probably already drunk “5 pints of the stuff, we do it all the time”. Needless to say I was shocked and rather relieved that I had been drinking bottled lager, and only 3 at that. I was rather angry that he found this so funny and asked for the manager. The manager appeared, a young chap in a 3 piece suit, and proceeded to defend the practice, saying it was not illegal. He was not at all apologetic, and very argumentative. He was of the opinion I was being aggressive because I had pointed out the member of staff who was laughing. I was not aggressive, I was angry, and his attitude did not help matters whatsoever. I told him I was not convinced that their practice was even legal, let-alone what one would expect from a supposed top class wine bar in one of the most affluent areas in the capital. He assured me it was perfectly legal and the bar’s policy.

Legal or not, this practice is unhygienic and underhand. I ordered a pint of fresh, hand pulled ale, and the staff attempted to serve me stale, filthy drip...

A large group of us booked a table here mid week as it was close to The Sofitel, St James where the majority of the party were staying. The food menu looked rather enticing, the wine list even more so. As we entered the catacomb of original arches, we were shown to a tunnel at the end of the restaurant, formerly Champagne Vaults, where our table did await. Great to have a tunnel all to ourselves, felt like private dining, although the cold concrete arch and turned off tv screen left a lot to be desired. Starters were mediocre, I had crab on toast, others had a small bit of salmon on their plates. The majority of us ordered steak, mine showed up when the other 9 in our party had almost finished, inexcusable as we were the only people dining, no excuse or real apology was given by the waitress either and at £40 per head I left with a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps the venue should stick to what it's good...

Well, where do I start. I went for dinner with my son and his girlfriend. During dinner a mouse ran out between the tables. I told the waiter who, on discovering it tried to kick it and get it out a door!! I was pretty concerned about the food hygiene situation. That said our Neal was okay, not great, wine expensive but good. I expected some adjustments to our bill due to our experience however there was nothing offered. I probably should have had an argument but I didn't. So unfortunately I can't recommend this place, a shame as my son was keen for us to go there as he works very near. If they had been generous enough to apologise, offer a discount or an adjustment to the bill then I would consider returning. Shame that in some places the customer is not so...