La Bodega — Restaurant in London

I would give them 0 star. The worst unprofessional experience I've ever had in a restaurant, got to the bar and told the waiter I had a booking for six, no one wanted to take responsibility and three of them came and asked us if we wanted something as if we just arrived at the restaurant, until one of them came out and told us "their Ipad was broken" and all online reservations weren't looked after, a restaurant full of empty tables and all booked but didn't want to seat us in one of them because he said there were all booked, even though I also had a reservation, they asked us if we didn't mind going to their neighbour restaurant which is owned by the same person, and as I didn't want to ruin mine and my friends night even more we accepted it, as soon as I sat in the table I felt like I was Gordon Ramsay sitting in one of those "HELL IN THE KITCHEN" restaurants, an old lady shouting to the waiters and the kitchen, drinking shots in the bar etc, etc etc.... and when their brought our first plate to the table, out off all the stuff we had to choose from the ones they didn't have or didn’t want to make, I saw the "cheese and ham platter" "jamon Serrano y Queso Manchego" I just couldn't believe it, it was just like someone opened some cheese and ham from the supermarket package and put it on a plate, AVOID this two restaurants at all cost, if you have a Tesco or Salisbury's nearby, go there and buy some "Spanish cheese, ham and olives" as they're of better quality and a lot cheaper. Awful service Bad...

Been visiting here for many years and have always enjoyed the food and drinks. However, yesterday (Saturday 16th March). We had been shopping in portobello and decided we wanted to take some friends for a drink at this restaurant. When we arrived we were rudely met by a waiter outside. We explained there were four people and we would like to have a drink each. We were told we were not allowed to have a drink unless we purchased food. We had already eaten and did not want to eat again in order to just have a quick drink. The restaurant was not busy and in previous times I have seen it much busier. There were table available outside and inside. We then approached someone who seemed to be the manager. We explained we would like to have a drink without food. He also said rudely that we could not drink without food. We were very unhappy as many times before we have spent lots of money here eating and drinking and to be turned away because we did not want to eat was rather frustrating. If the restaurant was very busy I could understand. However, it was not and there was many tables. Even if we had been given the option to sit inside at the bar or on a less popular table would have been fine. But we were not given an option. It was a simple flat out NO. So, now this has happened when we are looking to buy food and drinks La Bodega will not be our first choice. Our money is simply not enough, they clearly make too much money if they are able to turn away business...

6/7/2014 Been here tonight for a meal, The experience was a perplexing question of differences. Food excellent, Service terrible. To start they found us a table very quickly, Menus yes !.............But a very long wait to order, other customers seemed to be preferred over us, in the end we were waving to get their attention. Food came quite quickly, Calamares, Pimientos de padron and Raxo all excellent. We tried to order more bread another wait trying to get their attention. Then came the best bit paying. I agree that you should tip good service. The waiter's/waitresses who go out of their way to look after you deserves a tip. But to wait half an hour to get your change is not good. Note to the manager, Your food is excellent tasty and for London good value. I wish your service was as good. Looking around for a waiter to serve you is not good. We love your restaurant My partner is Galician and misses home cooking. That's why we go to yours. The best Raxo is London. Please listen to...