Hans' Bar & Grill — Restaurant in London

With dismay I write this negative review as I try very hard to support all small businesses- especially those that are not doing as well as others.

Sunday mornings are busy times for restaurants and so staff are busy and may be on edge but the approach of a staff member at this restaurant was shrill shrift and unprofessional at best.

The street was already very busy with long queues at almost every door except for at Han’s which should perhaps have been an indication of what was to come. We decided not to sit outside as it was a little windy for our liking and made our way inside. Unbeknownst to me there was a check in stand to the right as we entered (many other people later also did not see it as there was also no host standing there). As I walked forward to seek assistance a very annoyed female member of staff loudly and shrilly demanded to know whether she could help me. I was a little taken aback at her tone and turned to face an unsmiling face who before I had the chance to answer demanded to know whether she could help me once more . Again confused at the verbal attack I smiled broadly and asked for a table for two. Then without looking at me she gestured to the small pulpit of the host -who was still not there and told us to wait near it.

I did not at this point take things personally as I empathised with the woman’s efforts as she made several drinks at the bar. We were shown to a table facing the bar and eventually made an order- mine for a vegetarian breakfast but instead of the eggs I asked for falafel instead (I am neither vegetarian nor vegan but felt like having this option as I don’t eat egg). Before our meal arrived our drinks were served my friend had an americano which she said was good and eventually my peppermint tea arrived to be served by none other than the unfriendly barista: she introduced the drink and I thanked her as she roughly placed the cup and saucer down in front of me but as she’s began to pour the weak peppermint tea I asked her to stop (mindful to say please) so that it could strep at which point she dropped the teapot on the table and spun away. My friend and I sat there stunned at this more obvious rudeness and gave each other a knowing look.

Our food arrived mine with cold baked beans and what I assume was vegan halloumi (an acquired taste). I asked for clarification as to what the triangles of strange cheese tasting substance was and was told that it was possibly polenta but that they would check- no one can back to me. I ate what I wanted and left the rest. I also thanked the member of staff who was polite to us on the way out.

While we ate our meal I noticed the shrill barista treated others more gently kindness and was far less shrift and even guided people to the host herself.

I will not be returning to this restaurant because I’d the poor customer service and unappetising food and encourage others to go to the restaurants with the extensive queues as they have obviously got things more right.

I have a distinguishing characteristic that I believe was at play in the interactions above - given what I have written those who share this characteristic will immediately understand what happened to...

SUPERB, EVEN WHEN SERVING A CAT! .. read on ...We cannot praise the staff, kitchen and whole team at Hans enough! My friend and I live in the neighborhood and frequent many of the restaurants before and now, during Co-vid. Han's Bar & Grill stands out from all the rest in so many areas from adherence to safety/Covid prep and absolutely excellent food but it is definitely the staff (Genovefah, Enrico, Giorgio, Nico to name just a few) at Hans who make the difference and leave all the others behind. They offer the perfect balance between being very professional, attentive and effective yet each time we show up they make us feel like old friends returning home. We are treated like VIPs whether for a coffee or a long lingering afternoon. They greet us with enthusiasm, so eager and quick to get us anything we ask, no matter how unusual - true story: So one day my friend decided to bring her cat to sit outside at Hans as she lives around the corner. At some point she asked the lovely Giorgio if he could get the kitty one single french fry. Without batting an eye, Giorgio disappears only to reemerge with a beautiful slate platter that featured two carefully arranged french fries, a tiny dollop of tuna tartar and some garnish. Now if that isn't service of the extraordinary kind, I don't know what is. Note: he was busy and had clients to serve, yet he managed that with speed and flare! I could not conclude this review with out mentioning the wonderful Enrico who somehow, like a magician, with a smile he makes additional tables appear so we don't have to wait and is ever present checking to see that we are happy without being hovering or intrusive- absolute professional. ..And the ever so talented Nico who makes the best bloody mary in town (his secret recipe) as well as the perfect dirty martini, even going so far as to personally bring out a new chilled glass when I'm half way through my martini so that I can enjoy it properly chilled throughout... Why go anywhere else? Thank you all ,...

EDIT 11.11.18 Returned today to give it a second chance and I’m afraid it will be the last time we visit. No improvement. Firstly we noticed the brunch menu had been stripped back and simplified majorly. Although very limited we thought this was maybe a good thing based on our first experience (as per below review). But NO! Service still terrible, food - average taste but presentation poor. Table behind complained multiple times - toast missing, where the drinks etc. We asked for bill twice and then waited another 19 min for card machine.

Extremely let down by service. Starts fine, orders placed etc, 20 min later still no drinks, then one of our party of 4 was served their breakfast and it sat there for several minutes until we questioned why only one meal had been served. Eventually all food followed but still no drinks. We asked 3 times for drinks which eventually arrived as we pretty much finished our meals (cappuccinos were cold). However the orange juice which included with the English breakfast actually never came. In the end the manager offered to remove the drinks from the bill but when the bill came the drinks were still on it. We also asked for the service charge to be removed which the manager totally understood. Even when the revised bill came back the orange juice was still on it but we couldn’t be bothered anymore and just paid. The waitress never came back to check or to ask we had been served so she really could improve. Manager asked us to come back for a complimentary drink which was kind. All in all a shame because the...