The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel — Restaurant in London

Disappointing Afternoon Tea Experience - Faced Discrimination**

I recently visited the Drawing Room at Brown Hotel in London for afternoon tea with my family on Sunday, June 9th, at around 5 in the evening, anticipating a delightful and relaxing experience. Unfortunately, our visit was marred by the exceptionally poor behavior of one of the waiters, who displayed a shocking level of discrimination and unprofessionalism.

Upon our arrival, we were eager to enjoy the renowned afternoon tea service. However, we were met with an unpleasant surprise. The waiter, who appeared to be of Indian descent, greeted us with an air of disdain. Instead of providing us with a warm welcome and showing us to a table, he handed the menu card directly to my young daughter, clearly implying that we should check the prices before being seated.

This offensive gesture made us feel deeply unwelcome and judged based on an assumption about our financial status. It was a stark reminder of the prejudices that still persist in what should be an inclusive and hospitable environment. The waiter’s attitude suggested that he doubted our ability to afford the service, which was both humiliating and infuriating.

Moreover, the overall experience with the waitstaff was subpar. Apart from one waiter who eventually took our order and treated us with the courtesy and professionalism we expected, the rest of the service was lacking. The initial waiter’s discriminatory behavior overshadowed our visit and left a lasting negative impression.

Such discriminatory behavior is unacceptable in any establishment, let alone one that prides itself on offering a luxury experience. The lack of respect and courtesy we experienced was a significant letdown and completely ruined what should have been a memorable occasion.

I strongly urge the management of Brown Hotel to address this issue with the seriousness it deserves. I request that the management review the CCTV footage from June 9th around 5 PM to witness the incident firsthand. Staff training on customer service and sensitivity is crucial to prevent such incidents from recurring. Every guest deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their appearance or perceived financial status.

Until substantial changes are made, I cannot recommend the Drawing Room at Brown Hotel. Our experience was profoundly disappointing, and I hope that no other guests have to endure the discrimination that we faced. Its epic example of racism. We felt really bad...

Edited in response to the business's reply: I have just sent you a copy of my reservation email which did not contain a direct mention of a time limit. In the phone call I received from you I was only asked to confirm the booking, number of guests, whether all guests were adults and whether there were any allergies. No mention of a time limit. Like I said, I understand why you need a time limit especially in the run up to Christmas, and you might have policies in place to inform customers, they just don't work in practice. Went with friends I hadn't seen in 7 years. Initially great service, lovely sandwiches (though sadly far more care had been put into the delicious fillings than baking the breads), fantastic selection of teas (we were told we could select a different one later, which to me sounds like "settle down, enjoy yourselves, take it slow"), the scones probably would win GBBO, great tasting and looking patisserie. But we clearly outstayed our welcome, after attentively refilling tea cups twice, the service became more "can we wrap this up for you", "I'll put this in a box for you", "I will bring you the bill now." In the end we had to huddle in the walkway to get our coats back, because they needed the table back right then and now and we couldn't even wait for our coats at the table. I can totally understand that a restaurant asks for a table back, but then you should put that on the reservation or tell your guests at the start, not try and hint by neglect when 3 friends are entirely wrapped up in catching up. Definitely something to laugh about in...

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying high tea at The Drawing Room, and it was an absolutely delightful experience from start to finish. The menu, featuring an array of sandwiches, pastries, and scones, was a perfect blend of classic and creative, showcasing their culinary finesse.

The sandwiches were a standout, each bite-sized portion was meticulously crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From the delicate cucumber and cream cheese to the savory smoked salmon, every option was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The pastries were equally impressive, with flaky, buttery textures and just the right amount of sweetness. The scones, served warm with clotted cream and house-made jam, were simply divine crumbly yet moist, they melted in the mouth and paired perfectly with the tea selection.

Speaking of tea, the variety offered was exceptional, with a range of aromatic blends that complemented the food impeccably. The staff’s knowledge of the teas was remarkable, as they guided us through pairings with genuine enthusiasm and expertise.

The service was nothing short of outstanding. The team Lefter, Carol and Akshay was attentive, warm, and professional, ensuring our teapot was always topped up and our needs met without being intrusive. The ambiance of the restaurant, with its elegant yet cozy decor, created the perfect backdrop for a relaxing afternoon.

The Drawing Room has truly mastered the art of high tea, delivering exquisite food and impeccable service. I can’t wait to return for another indulgent experience. Highly...