Redwood — Restaurant in London

Had a disappointing experience here this evening. Was suggested by work colleagues to watch the Madrid Vs Man City game so went along quite happily after work to our pre-booked table. Within 5 minutes of arriving our ‘personal server’ came to introduce herself (she did give her name but I will not give her the satisfaction or the notoriety by naming her here). At first she was incredibly lovely, we even had a laugh about not knowing what day it was because of the bank holiday etc, but we also felt pressured to set up a tab for our table, despite being situated directly next to the bar downstairs. Anyway, we set up a tab but had already purchased a first round from the bar whilst waiting for other members of our party to join. Our ‘personal server’ came around twice in 20 minutes to ask if we needed to order anything, and both times we politely declined as we hadn’t yet finished the first round. When we were finally ready to order, we flagged down our server on her way through and she said something along the lines of ‘oh, so you’re finally ready to order something?’ In a rather off-hand way. We decided not to let it bother us and ordered two beers, but two of our table asked if they could continue to order from the bar, to make it easier than sorting out splitting a tab later. She said that was fine and disappeared. After 15 minutes waiting for the two beers, we flagged her down again with a ‘sorry but we ordered two beers earlier’ only to be met with the following aggressive exchange:

Us: ‘Sorry but we ordered two beers’ Her: ‘not from me you didn’t’ Us : ‘no we asked for two more beers earlier when you asked’ Her : ‘no you didn’t order from me, you said you were using the bar, so tell me exactly who you ordered the drinks from’ (in a ‘you’re lying and I won’t tolerate it’ way) Us : concerned about how aggressive and confrontational this exchange has become ‘uh okay, well can we order two beers please?’

She took our order (begrudgingly) but then 5 minutes later returned to the table to say:

Her: ‘can I just work out what you’re doing, because when I came earlier you said you were using the bar, so you did ask me for those drinks but then when you said about the bar I left it’

That was it. No apology for essentially calling us liars when we said we ordered our drinks from her. No ‘sorry I was dealing with several things at once’ etc. I understand where the miscommunication may have come from, but at no point were we anything but polite and civil and we were basically attacked by our server in a cruel and incredibly rude way. After this exchange, we had a brief respite from her, but then she came by again a few times and attempted some false displays of civility and even joviality. But I’m afraid, after her previous aggressive confrontation, she had rather ruined our evening and we were far less inclined to ask her for anything.

As I say, I know people have their stressful moments. In service it is inevitable and it’s a tough job, but on this occasion our server was definitely spoiling for a fight having taken a dislike to us for some reason and I found her behaviour pretty abhorrent to be honest.

I wouldn’t recommend this place on service alone, but it is also massively overpriced, very loud and relatively busy on sports days. If that floats your boat, then go ahead. But I recommend ordering from the bar at all times, unless you want your server to spit...

Good morning,

We visited Redwood at London Bridge yesterday from 4:00 PM to just before 9:00 PM and were seated at Table 11 inside. Our waiter was Ramesh. I’d like to request a copy of our bill for reference.

We specifically visited for the 2-for-1 cocktail offer and confirmed with Ramesh upon arrival that it was available. However, when we received the bill, we were informed that the offer only applies on Wednesdays and is not available at the London Bridge location. Had we been told this initially, we would not have ordered cocktails.

Additionally, I’d like clarification on the total amount charged. Based on our order:

1 Birra Moretti – £6.70 2 Aperol Spritz – £29 (should have been £14.50) 2 Caipirinhas – £29 (should have been £14.50) 1 Bottle of Casual Rosé – £38 1 Double Cheeseburger – £16.50 1 Fries – £4 1 Sesame Crusted Chicken Wrap – £12.50 1 Sweet Potato Fries – £4 2 Large Glasses of Rosé – £29.20 This adds up to £168.90, yet we were charged £190. If the 2-for-1 cocktail offer had been correctly applied as initially confirmed, our bill should have been £139.90.

Please could you provide a breakdown of the charges and confirm how this discrepancy occurred? Additionally, given the miscommunication regarding the cocktail offer, I would appreciate knowing how this can be rectified.

Looking forward to...

Had a pint in this sports bar next London Bridge station. £6.50. I finish that and 2 minutes after I finish there a girl asked she could collect my glass which you did, 2 minutes later a guy come up and said you want a drink so I ordered another pint, he brought the bill up it's 7.38, I asked what the difference was and he said I'll get the bill. He comes back with a bill and there is 88p service charge to bring me the beer from the bar to my table 3 m. I said I'm not paying that service charge so he swiped the bill off the table and storms off. After a couple of minutes he doesn't come back so I go to the loo and on the way ask the bar man what the other guy was doing. He said he had to get the key to change the bill. I asked him if he would pay 80p for someone to take the drink from the bar to the table, he said you shouldn't even be upstairs it's closed, I said don't worry mate I'll never be up here again. I've got back to the table and the first guy is standing there I said I don't want it mate. He said why I said I don't like your attitude and I don't like his attitude and walked out left him with the beer and the bill. Yes I agree with a service charge for waiter service for a meal but these guys are fully taking the ..... Go up the bar get your own or better yet avoid it they are p takers...