Usta Charcoal Grill — Restaurant in London

I have invited 4 of my friends to a dinner the Q was 15 minutes wait outside so I decided to Q by myself while my friends arrives. The chief waiter asked me how many of you I said 6 of us arriving very shortly. He replied that he would only give me table if my friends are here onetime! Keeping the story short when we all set around the table I was shocked that the waiter who came to take order stood on top of our heads talking without a mask!!! He wasn't happy when i told him off and kept coming back without a mask till i gave up. I have also noticed that few of restaurant waiters not wearing any masks. Food was under served a portions was very poor and chicken was not cooked properly the bread was rock hard. I didn't want to spoil my evening with my friends but from the time the food was served no waiter came to ask if we need anything or order something extra even when i want to ask my bill i couldn't see anyone available to call so I stood up to pay at the cashier, I have asked the waiter to remove the service charge and he laughed and called his colleague and said why why you don't pay for the service charge in very intimidating way! I simply replied you don't deserve any tips and not to mention the poorly served food. I would probably had enjoyed McDonald's hospitality rather than this 1* restaurant. Me and my friends will never go back to that fast food...

I've been to this place for 15 years (previously named Charcoal Grill). Its getting more and more worse. Today, I went with a family of 10. They gave the 10 of us 1 plate of bread (which tasted so hard, out of date), and 1 small plate of salad for the 10 of us. In 15 years, its usually 4 x plates each when theres 10 people and lots of bread. They also made a mistake with order, we told waiter who then disappeared. We then waited another 10 minutes for sauce, as we ordered lots of chips. After being hungry and no sign of the waiters, and food getting cold, we decided to eat as we always avoid arguing over petty things. I decided to tell the staff, upon paying when they asked how was food, that the bread wasn't nice and the portion seems to be mu h less then what we normally have eaten in the last 2 decades. She replies, the salad is not free, you order more, then I will give you more. Clearly, Usta are profitising front this government scheme. They now very well, that government will fund them the other 50%. Yet they choose to cheat customers. They have increased their price much higher. And the food portions are much more smaller. And the complimentary bread and salad has been reduced by 75% as my experience. Anyway, after coming here for many years. The 10 of us have decided, Never to return. I dont think cheating scum...

I used to eat regularly at Charcoal and loved it. Was looking forward to coming back after the refurb. The new place looks sensational and the waiting staff are as lovely as always. Unfortunately the prices have risen and although the food is still the same there's definitely less of it. I paid £12 for a (smaller) meal that used to cost me about £8 or £9. A shame. I now have to think twice before going, whereas before it was a no brainer. Used to be a lovely family/community canteen but seems to have lost that vibe. Maybe intentional - don't blame them for wanting to go up a gear - but might have left some of us behind. Sorry, Usta :(

UPDATE

Having eaten here a number of times since my review I'm amending from 3* to 4*. Would be 4.5 if I could. Consistently good quality and nice setting. Kilburn is the...