The Ivy Canary Wharf — Restaurant in London

Many things went kind of wrong from the get go, I am not here to complain about any of those but I will mention them just to add context.

There was a dead spider on the table when we got there, we brushed it off. The water jar had some gunky stuff on it, but it was in the outside so we just turned the bottle and out of sight out of mind. It took a while for the orders to be taken but we had a chat so all good. We wanted pancakes, they showed as available online (we checked before booking), we asked the server to make sure, she confirmed they had them, we all ordered breakfast food and then 15 minutes later she came back with menus telling us they actually were not available. Sad but hey, it’s ok. We decided to switch to lunch but while we were deciding what to order instead my food came (I didn’t order pancakes) and I was going to get a burger but hey whatever. I had my eggs royal while my friends were still ordering and just brushed it off, it happens. Drinks arrived after food was there, but it’s Christmas, cocktails take longer, it’s all good. The bill came and it still included the stuff that wasn’t available, which it’s fine but we were just not the happiest with the service we got so I asked her (very politely) to remove the service charge.

This is when Gemma or Genna I’m not sure got very passive aggressive, and this is the only reason for my complaint.

She brought the new bill, she didn’t show it to us but split it in 3 and started taking payment, I tapped my card and then noticed that the service charge was still showing on the bill so I asked if it was taken out and she said yes, then this exact conversation took place:

Her: this is actually taken out from my wages. Me: Unfortunately we did not have a great experience. Her: There are a million Ivys, you should go to any other one. Me: Sure, I will go somewhere else next time. This is very rude btw. Her: Thank you for the compliment. Me: It’s not really a compliment. Her: Thank you for the compliment. Make sure you complain about me, my name is Genna or Gemma (I am still not sure)

Now, I understand we can all have bad days and good days, she was probably having a bad one. The problem here is that I was in fact having a great day after a very difficult week so I don’t appreciate that this lady took it upon herself to ruin it.

Me and my friends were exchanging Christmas presents while this was happening, we really weren’t there in a confrontational mood, we were not being rude and we didn’t say a word about any of the things that happened previously.

We didn’t have a great experience and the service was not pleasant. The voluntary service charge is not taken from your wages, it’s actually taken from mine, and gaslighting people into paying for it when they are dissatisfied is weird and...

Hi everyone, booked the iconic Ivy restaurant this time one of the sister restaurants. Booked for my daughter’s birthday. We were all very excited as the menu looked amazing! The decor is stunning! You really can’t fault anything in regards to looks. It’s beautiful.

On arrival we were met by a young woman on the front of house. Very helpful and gave us a table by the bar whilst waiting on our table. Once we sat down this was it. Nothing, not even a hello welcome or anything. Watching staff going up and down passed us all the time. 15/20 still nothing. We wanted a drink. I had to go and hunt someone down! This shouldn’t be the case in the ivy surely??

Waiting and waiting. Drinks arrive and we are ready to go to the table……. That’s right totally forgotten again. We wait and wait. Once again I make the first move. Excuse me. Can we go to our table?? I was told someone will be over. Yep nothing! At this point we feel like we are not really wanted.

Finally at the table, sadly again the same thing. Waiting waiting waiting! I had to walk around the restaurant asking for some to take our order. Once done items missed on the starters. Out with children so this wasn’t helpful they were hungry. The scallops were shocking. I mean that. Sorry to sound harsh but no seasoning and massively overcooked. Awful and tiny too! Extremely disappointing. Mains. Kids burgers can’t go wrong? Nope!! Got the order wrong but yet again bland. Black cod with the size of a postage stamp! Oh and one again massively overcooked.

Mean done wanting desperately to leave this very bad experience or dining in a should be very beautiful restaurant but we can’t wait to get out. Anyway nope! You got it. All staff not checking on us one bit. Walked around the restaurant again asking for someone to help and take payment massively overpriced payments for extremely bad food. Overall £200 and will never be going back. Asked for details to complain. But nothing given. So sad

Overall don’t waste your money. Go to the local chip shop you will enjoy this much much more

Emailed back from the supposed manager? But given me an incorrect email address? On the...

We visited at week end as special birthday treatpart of a weekend away booked by my daughter and friend our visit to the restaurant was so disappointing On arrival all good met by 2 nice ladies at desk taken to table then all down hill from there service appalling The waiter who served us was unable to help with drinks choice and made us feel very uncomfortable The menu choice was ok but nothing out standing my fish chips were excellent but the rest of the parties starters and mains were poor or standard at best would have expected so much better from the ivy

The service was terrible we weren't asked once if everything was OK we had to call waiter over for drink service and had ask several times for bill before it arrived we asked gent if we had to pay 25% service charge and were informed no we could pay what we wanted but he never asked if service was ok or why we were enquiring At first we were going to pay reduced charge and make a contribution but it took so long to get bil we had ask serval times when Bill arrived we informed waitercwe wanted to pay boll but with out service charge waiter was confused disgruntled said didn't know if we could do that we said we had enquired and we could he said he would have to speak to his manager four people came to till to sort it out Bill came with outcreduction then after discussion and returned receipt came with out charge manager never came over or made an enquiry to how service was or any thing we were made to feel invisible and ignored so many times extremely poor and rude staff behaviour We remained calm and polite through out but don't know how we managed to stay the better people Never before have any of experienced such poor service or ever not paid service charge but we felt we couldn't pay for service we didn't get When we got to desk no one there waited at least 10mins for anyone to come despite one of another party waiting for coats asking excit finaly served but no apology for wait no enquiry ifcwe had a nicecevening everything ok or anything just hellobthanku goodbye Extremely poor and...