The Salisbury Arms — Restaurant in London

I’m posting this only because I have been asked to by the venue when completing an emailed survey. If you’d like me to delete it I’m more than happy to just let me know:Been here twice. First occasion was about 3yrs ago and decided we wouldn’t return. Primarily because it was a little dirty ie. Cutlery, plates etc. but nothing that would cause an issue. We were served our lunch and manager had his thumb in our food on the plate. That wasn’t for me. Then I saw a marketing campaign advertised on Facebook and thought let’s give it another go. We live locally so it wasn’t too much trouble to get to.

Venue full of energy and busy but it was enjoyable. We were seated by an attentive host and everything seemed friendly. We came with appetites and were looking forward to a full roast. I immediately noticed that the table hadn’t been wiped down and there was ground in food on the cutlery on the table. I didn’t moan because I grabbed another set of cutlery off another table. We ordered starters and had a side plate which I immediately noticed had something black on it - like a small piece of burnt food or something unidentifiable. It was a side plate so I didn’t care but alarm bells were now ringing. Our mains arrived and I had to ask them to clear the starters before putting our food down - although I accept this is a common problem in the UK where staff only care about dumping food down and not clearing tables - that attitude would account for dirtiness I suspect. The main roast was absolutely fine and lots to eat. Honestly, it perfectly edible but that’s where the interest stopped as it was distinctly average with honestly zero taste. It wasn’t unpleasant but it was just totally tasteless. Not sure what else I can write tbh. Dessert was ok. It did have flavour but a little light on the substance side. I had the crumble which seemed to be more crumble that it did anything else. Again, was perfectly edible though. Then the bill. Service charge is added which is absolutely fine but then I was asked for a tip which apparently would go direct to the server. Tbh I have in because I was having a nice day with my family but that was the final straw and an absolute piss take! Categorically, I won’t be back. Interestingly I was speaking to my neighbour who said they’d had a similar issue there and didn’t think much of it. I’m not bashing the place but you wanted feedback so here it is. I apologise if this upsets or bothers you but I won’t ever be back so honestly not fussed. Shame because it really could be something good there but it’s clearly the same old problems. Edit:tbh I wasn’t going to leave a review but I received an email requesting one. Having posted it here and being bored, I looked at other reviews. It seems cleanliness is a key issue with this venue including the toilets; lipstick on wine glasses, graffiti in the toilets, dirt on tables and cutlery. Upon further research it seems this is simply owned by a business (see other reviews) where they will churn out the same stuff again and again. That sort of pub isn’t for me and having read the reviews, clearly isn’t for others. Edit after response: Ah now you see I was happy to leave the ‘seemingly’ negative review at that and frankly wasn’t even going to post a review but you asked me to. As with ALL business in the UK it seems you don’t actually want feedback unless it’s positive.So because your response virtually puts the onus of responsibility back onto me I am now compelled to respond to you directly.Firstly, how about accept the sh1t experience and feedback and say “sorry about that,we’ll try harder and out things in place”?But no,you’ve chosen publicly to explain that it’s all my fault because I didn’t tell you about it at the time!Well maybe (and here’s just a thought) you employ staff that can actually wash dishes and cutlery on the first place!It’s not my job to tell you how to do yoursOr maybe I should cook the food for you as well?I’m pleased everyone on the net can actually see your true colours responding in such a pathetic and...

I don’t usually leave bad reviews but this time I had to. We came to The Salisbury Arms yesterday (mother’s day) for evening dinner. When we arrived we were shown to table 7 in the "Snug area" and that was it. It was only 15 minutes later that a customer told us to grab a menu from the bar and order what we wanted there - we clearly must have looked lost - as we were not sure if it was table service or you had to go to the bar to order food.

We did this and ordered two, 3 course meals, pigs in blankets and some chips for our little one. This came to £52.15 just on food alone. There was a bit of a wait for the starters to come out which was only warm and not piping hot as they should be. Never the less we ate it as we were hungry. After the starter, our plates where taken, the cutlery and napkins where not replaced. I fully appreciate that it may have been a busy night for them but mother’s day is every year!

When the mains came out, the leg of lamb was not what we were expecting. It was only 2 very tough slices and again just luke warm. I think the food was getting left on the window hot plates for some time before a member of staff served it. We had it anyway as time were getting later and late into our time at the Pub and our little was getting a little tired.

Again we had a long wait for our simple dessert even after we chased it. After about 30 minutes we decided to give up and start to pack our things to leave as our little one was falling asleep. As we were leaving the dessert turned up. I explained to the lady that we had to go as our daughter was sleepy due to the long waits. The answer we got was not expected as she said “I’ll just leave it on the table in case you change your mind”. This was such a rude answer to give. She then went on to explain that the ticket said to wait for each course. I told her that why would I say that when we had chased the food. Then we got told it was not her fault.

From this we just left as customer service was not her strong point. If they just said sorry for the delay and made up an excuse, we would have been a little happy. But she just wanted to challenge everything I had to say and did not want to help. Definitely will not be coming back to this place again to spend our money, poor...

Unbelievable! Our entire group were left with nothing to drink at midnight on New Year's Eve. Apparently the area manager had decided the hard-working staff deserved a break and a chance to celebrate New Year's Eve behind the scenes. So they closed the bar are and every one of them disappeared for half an hour. We had only booked our evening at the Salisbury as they said they were open till 2 a.m. My girlfriend had queued at the busy bar and had asked for a bottle of champagne at 23:50, only to be told the bar was temporarily closed. Despite begging she was told by staff that they were going backstage to have their own party. So she returned to our table where we all raised are empty glasses to bring in the new year. While I am sure the hard-working bar staff deserve a break what does it say about their attitude to their customers. I guess everyone in Winchmore Hill is assumed to be an over privileged Tory voter who never worked hard in a bar or anywhere else where other people are relying on them.

Edit .. To the owner .... re your reply. .. You are right , I don't know what your attitude to your customers is, and I am sure your staff don't think like that. The Tory comment was an insult levelled at me for daring to say I didn't agree with them not serving us because they deserved a break. I really don't know why we were treated so contemptuously. My group were all retail staff who regularly work all through holidays and having spent hundreds of pounds already that night at the Salisbury , just wanted a glass to raise at midnight at the end of a very hard year. I personally would have given my customer a bottle and said come and pay for it later. But I don't work in...