Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant — Restaurant in Oxford

Rooftop view, basement food. Yesterday we had one of the most disappointing meals in recent memory. It was all the more of a let-down in that we have enjoyed lunch there in the past. On this occasion nearly everything that could go wrong, did. We were entertaining an Aunt and Uncle so had booked for 12.30pm to avoid the rush. Our guests arrived a little late but were seated by 12.45pm. We ordered but the process was complicated by our waitress confusing vinegar with something else. However she made up for it in enthusiasm and charm. The food was unremittingly poor. The bread was on the stale side. My soup of the day was almost undrinkable. I didn't send it back in order not to make a fuss and spoil the atmosphere. My wife, who never complains, told me later that she'd spoken quietly to our waitress about her baby squid starter as it was so tasteless. Then we waited over twenty minutes for our main courses, which is far too long. Worse, Uncle's arrived ten minutes after the other three which was a real pain. My guinea fowl was dry and the accompanying sweetcorn and salsa mix was amateurish. Plaice, the fish of the day, was uninspiring and I noted that when asked by our waitress if he'd enjoyed his meal, Uncle said it was "ok" which a native English-speaker would have understood as not very good. Our waitress didn't charge for the second glass of Chardonnay Monrouby and took 10% off the bill due to the delay which was attributed to a busy kitchen. Nevertheless £146.93 for four including 10% service is pretty steep given only one glass of wine at £7.40. After saying goodbye my wife suggested we go back into the restaurant to talk to the manager. In over forty years she has never suggested doing this. We went back to the restaurant reception and spoke to the person on duty. We explained that we'd had a poor meal, that we weren't seeking money back, but just wanted to alert the manager that something had gone seriously wrong in the kitchen. Our self-interest is that we like going to the special exhibitions at the Ashmolean and having lunch in the restaurant, so we want the food and service to be good. We were told that the manager was in a meeting so I left my mobile number with the suggestion the manager phone me from 4.00pm onwards when we would be en route back to London. I also provided my e-mail address. No phone call nor e-mail has been received as of midday today. On this basis the Ashmolean Restaurant has more than just a...

Finding this restaurant wasn't the easiest, I'd expect better signage especially considering it's located in a museum with not the easiest/clearest access.

The service was poor and I found it tad rude. There was a mark on one of the plates so we asked to replace it, there was no apology or friendliness it was met with a stern face. When the replacement was given similarly, it was almost shoved onto us and with no words said.

We were placed on a table and had pre-booked 4 afternoon teas, this reiterated by the waitress who greeted us. As the afternoon teas arrived the waited seemed annoyed that the table had been placed incorrectly and with napkins and cutlery next to the plate and the expression he gave was as if it was our fault and we did something wrong when that was how the table was laid and set. He was saying how there won't be enough room at the same time he was laying the afternoon tea another waitress simultaneous starting placing the drinks which was unhelpful to her colleague. The waiter then suddenly decided this table wasn't big enough and asked us to move. Again, the way it was said and the move was just chaotic and rude. No offer of help was given to move all the cutlery and drinks etc till after we moved them.

I just found it very standoffish and unwelcoming and surprising that the staff didn't know what table was appropriate when it is their signature dish and they know better than anyone. I do not think I'd visit again or recommend it based on how I was treated.

I'd expect a waitress to friendly say I apologise about a dirty plate and similarly I would expected to be seated appropriately but if not I'd expect it to be communicated in a friendly way such as I am sorry I think a bigger table will give you more room so you're not cramps let us set one up for you and then we'll let you know when...

I shall have to change my review from 4 stars to 1 star after a second visit a few days ago. We were handed menus and told we could sit wherever we wanted. After a few minutes we began to notice that other people who had arrived after us were being guided to tables by staff and their orders were being taken very quickly. We noticed that the staff took the menus away after taking orders so we propped ours up in a prominent position and tried to attract the attention of a waiter or waitress. After about 15 minutes I finally locked eyes with a waiter. For a fleeting moment I thought we were going to get served. But no. He looked away and served somebody two tables away who had just arrived. At this point we walked out and I doubt we will be going back again. A pity, as it's a pleasant place.

(This was the original review - the scaffolding has now gone). Very peaceful and relaxing place for a cup of tea after visiting the museum. Good view from the rooftop which will be even better when some scaffolding on an adjoining building is removed. The afternoon tea served on 3 tier cake stand...