Efes Plus — Restaurant in London

Unfortunately the only star would be for the restaurant's design...We had high hopes and wanting for some time to try this Turkish restaurant, Efes Plus from Richmond, that opened the day we had the visit and experience...hoping even maybe to become regulars, but it wasn't the case. Where should I begin...So the customer service/staff performed poorly from day one of opening to the public. When we came inside the restaurant, there where a few occupied tables (3 with ourselves maybe), not busy at all, so we were waiting for starters, for some hello-s from everyone not just from one single staff member, maybe gestures like opening the door at all times (not just a one-time thing), giving us some recommendations in terms of choices for food, asking us how the food is or if we need anything else while eating, being attentive to our needs, etc (for ex. we waved like 6 times for someone from the staff to come to the table so we can ask for something, and there were available 2 or 3 waiters around ourselves). The drinks: ordered 2 ayrans which felt more as a mix between water and milk, they weren't salty at all, lack flavour and thickness; The food: we ordered 3 starters and 1 main to share. Again, unfortunately the star of the table were 2 sauces, one amuse-bouche (olive paste in olive oil, from the house) and one garlic sauce...The starters were the following: fried liver cubes, sauteed prawns and lachmacun.The veal liver had an aftertaste, not a pleasant/specific one anyway and wasn't properly pealed/cleaned off, so therefore it was stingy and rubber-y as a texture. First starter felt off...the second one, the prawns, very tasteless, not seasoned well even with basic salt and that buttery sauce lacked as well flavour like garlic or wine, or tomatoes or something and salt...felt like eating plain boiled prawns with a little buttery taste...and the lachmacun was decent but again lacked flavour and condiments as well, we definitely had way better. We were expecting at least the main to be somehow the saving dish of the evening but it was even poorer than the starters and disappointing in the same time...We ordered the doner with fries, so the fries were the only ones hot but nonetheless tasted and looked like they were cheap supermarket frozen fries, the doner was a little cold, not hot or warm by any chance, it had just 2 types of meat in it and some red cabbage and one slice of tomato, no sauce, no dressing, the meat was a little cold and had a too strong after taste. It needed so bad a sauce and that was the moment we ordered the garlic sauce which was very good. The evening had finished with 2 house complimentary baklavas which were basic, again had way better. As closing in the same spirit, we weren't even asked if we liked the food, especially because we haven't finished the dishes.This was our experience from the first day of opening...Hopefully it will improve, but we are not eager to give it another go, or...

I have visited the Efes Restaurant brand for over 20yrs & consider myself a REAL FOODIE. When I heard that one was open in Richmond, I had to try it hence I had high expectations. I checked the website online and saw the photos of the restaurant and was excited to make a booking. The lady on the phone was very polite and welcoming. Upon arrival the restaurant depth is impressive as is the LIVE COOKING kitchen. The decor is traditional. Upon seating, I found the attentiveness of staff was poor as we’d sat now for over 15mins before we had to prompt them to take at least a drinks order. The communication was less than confident as all staff were gathered talking amongst themselves with folded arms which I found so poor. Once the order was given we found it difficult to order food as the lady had no knowledge of the food and no recommendations were given. I found it strange how they mix beef into the lamb doner as that literally does not appeal to most of the Asian community whom do not eat beef for religious purposes. Upon arrival of the sautéed prawns the dish lacked flavour other than a few bits of garlic and a pool of oil. The Haloumi lacked salt. The mocktail P Star Martini was nice. The mains were so disappointing as was the kids meals as the doner wrap was chewy and lacked flavour. We had to literally keep asking for service as staff were very inattentive. We had to ask for another drink twice and constantly to clean our table and ask for cutlery. The lamb from the main course was chewy and the rice was tasteless. There is a lack of traditional desserts on offer too. After spending over £120 i wouldn’t have minded to pay more for good quality food but this visit was a major let down both food wise as well as quality of service particularly a lady who kept her arms folded authoritatively. I give this place 12mnths tops. Really disappointing from wherever I look. Sad really as this was an Easter Sunday family late lunch...

Yesterday I visited for the first time your restaurant Effe Plus

We have watched the redevelopment of the premises over time and said we would visit.

We had looked at the menu on line before visiting and were confused that there were specials for Monday and the shop is closed on Monday.

As we entered the restaurant around 6.10pm we were greeted and asked did we have a reservation. No, we hadn't made a booking due to it being early and explained we were off in about an hour plus as going to the theatre.

We were given a table at the rear. The kitchen and restaurant looked amazing, beautiful and very smart very different to the days of the fish and chips shop.

The restaurant at this time was quiet. We sat for at least 5 minutes before being given a menu which was disappointing. There were 3 waiting staff on the floor at the time.

We are 2 pescatarians and 1 meat eater. Our hot food and drinks were ordered. The meat eater's food arrived 5 mins before ours,which isn't very sociable. Again I was disappointed.

My food, a hot meze of mushrooms and cheese was tasty and rich. The other pescatarian had a cheese and mushroom pide dish which he said was dry, and the meat eater wasn't impressed with the doner and chips and left a lot of it. At no point were we asked, "how is your meal?".

The service was not great. We had to ask for water and for salt.

One of us visited the toilet which got good marks.

Only one of us had read the reviews for the restaurant so we had no preparation

Sadly, I don't think any of us will...