Slug & Lettuce - Quayside Newcastle — Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

Shame, such a shame. Myself my wife and family have been patrons of the ‘Slug and Lettuce’ in numerous locations throughout the UK for many years. Service and the diner’s experience has had its ups and downs but nothing quite as low as our experience on Wednesday evening. We had booked a post theatre table for 5.30. Arriving slightly early we fended off good natured enquires about our table occupation from our Server but once it was established we were in fact the booker we were left alone. My grandchildren, 10 and 8, were enjoying a ‘special’ treat after their play and as the evening progressed we were advised about the 8.00pm curfew for children. As regulars we were cognizant of this and carried on with Starters and wine. A second reminder after 7.00pm was given and we assured our Server that we would leave as close to 8.00 as we could. We ordered our main courses at 7.24, the food arrived a little after 7.45 and we set about enjoying our meal. At 8.05 our Server became more hostile and told us there was a table of ‘off-duty’ policemen in our midst. It is not entirely clear what influence this would have on finishing our meal but the obvious inference was that the Northumbrian Constabulary would be used to see us off the premises if we did not leave straight away. We increased our rate of food consumption and tried to drink our wine. This was not enough for our Server who then accused us of lingering over our food and prolonging our stay. We left as the atmosphere had been ruined. We left food and wine but clearly our table was needed for the mile long queue of adults outside. Not really, there was a medium gathering for a birthday party, a sole drinker at the bar and a couple of tables with two covers each. We were not there to make a night of it and would have vacated the premises by the latest 8.15. If the curfew is so rigid our food order should have not been accepted or at least put through the kitchen at a quicker pace. Taking our food and drink order then not allowing us time to finish seems greedy to me. The Slug & Lettuce want your money not your custom or repeat patronage. My grandchildren are extremely well behaved in social circumstances, they were sitting at the back of the table colouring in quietly. With no discretion being given and an invisible manager hopefully your trade will suffer further if this attitude prevails. To sum up, don’t go there if you have family, you are not welcome but...

Upon arrival we stood unclear whether we needed to wait to be seated with our already booked reservation or not. Signage nor staff were present and a member of staff had pushed past us several times to enter the kitchen area/ room that was next to the 'waiting area' and not said anything. Once a member of staff spoke to us we were seated and then waited approximately half an hour to be seen again for a drink and food order. As there was no price on the gins or with the 2 for 1 deal I asked how much it cost and it took three attempts of asking to find out the price, which then turned out to be wrong as the different Tanqueray gins were different prices. Once everything was ordered we waited approximately another 20 minutes for drinks to arrive which ended up being the two gins and no coke. A further 30 or so minutes and the food arrived which was lacking to say the least. At this point we asked for the coke which hadn't arrived. The burger and chips looked more like a pitiful kids meal (unfortunately this is not pictured as my partner was too hungry to take a picture). It did however only comprise a small cheese burger and skinny fries. The pancetta, chicken and brie pie looked okay; however, was only half full, the mash looked like plastic frozen mash and the vegetables looked like those from a microwaveable bag. Finally the coke arrived once we had finished our food. Upon asking for the bill I queried the tonic presented in the receipt (as I had gin and lemonade) and I was informed that this was needed to be put in the till for the deal and that it was still cheaper than it would have cost. This was sufficient; however, the server then started questioning me unprofessionally saying "if do you not believe me, I can show you on the till." This would be a one star review but we asked for the coke and flagged someone down for the bill, neither of these would not have happened if left to the servers. Would not recommend and won't be back to any slug and lettuce...

I had a really disappointing experience at Slug & Lettuce Newcastle Quayside. My girlfriend and I had booked a table for food, but from the moment we arrived, things went downhill. The music was so loud that the waiter couldn’t even hear what I was saying, and I ended up having to take his iPad and find our booking myself.

We ordered the three small plates for £16 deal at the bar, but when the food finally arrived, only two of the three dishes were brought out. We asked about the missing plate, only to be told that the bar staff hadn’t heard my girlfriend’s order properly—even though she had it all written down on her phone and showed them. This meant we had effectively paid for three plates but only received two, losing out on the savings from the deal.

I raised the issue with a waiter, who said she would speak to a manager, but the manager never showed up. We ate what food we had and waited over 40 minutes, only to realise that nothing had been done about our complaint. In the end, I had to go with the waiter to track down someone in charge. Thankfully, we finally spoke to Jack at the bar, who was incredibly apologetic and helpful—he was the only positive part of the experience.

As for the food, the halloumi fries were nice, but the crispy halloumi bao buns were awful—just pure grease. Wish I could comment on the third plate but it never showed. The only reason I’m giving two stars is because of Jack and the drinks which were really good. Otherwise, the service was chaotic, the music was far too loud, and the whole experience was frustrating. I won’t be in a...