Service was exemplary tonight, Louise worked really hard to ensure we had a great night, we were celebrating our Sons exam results and nothing was too much trouble, she was graceful, helpful and personable, not too familiar and effortless - the perfect mix in a hostess/waitress.

Louise also surprised my Son with a congratulations plate during dessert - he was too full for a dessert but she made him feel so special and totally surprised us, such a thoughtful gesture!

Whilst we liked the food and the overall experience was lovely, we did feel that some aspects of the quality of the food took a hit tonight - we feel this may be more of a corporate cost efficiency factor rather than kitchen staff/chef’s skill but at these prices, you want everything to be spot on.

For example, my younger Son’s veg sticks and hummus were inedible - slimy vegetable sticks from being immersed in water to stop them drying out (not sure how long they’d need to be left in water to have a slime on but it doesn’t look or taste great!) and the hummus was horrid, dry and tasteless! I would seriously recommend buying it in or buying in a better quality hummus as it was disgusting. Thankfully louise saved the day and washed off then dried the veg so my youngest could eat 2 of the carrot sticks but that’s all he managed due to them being tasteless (from the water bath most likely).

However My teenage Son was delighted with his rare T bone so well done to Lee for delighting him on his special day!

My husband’s T bone was very tasty, and he finished the lot but he did feel it was a little tough - his steak was cooked medium. He thought this was a meat quality issue rather than a lack of cooking skill, and despite this, he still enjoyed his meal.

My medium 30 day ribeye was tasty and well cooked, I really enjoyed it, good job chef Lee!

Calamari starters were enjoyable, could have done with more dip and it did feel like a different texture than usual - slightly more grainy - but overall tasty and enjoyable.

Salad wedge as always was lovely, louise even managed to organise mine with more blue cheese dressing, that has never happened before at a M&C so I was really impressed with how easy she made it feel for me to have it how I like it! It’s little gestures like this that make customers feel seen and welcomed.

Drinks were seamlessly refilled and always with plenty of ice and glasses provided - both by louise and another charming gentleman who originally showed us to our table and then helped bring over drinks, take glassware away etc. I know this sounds like a simple thing but I’ve lost count of the times I have to look for/call a staff member over to take a drink order and then ask for ice. Louise was on the ball and we didn’t have any empty glasses.

Sides were lovely and plentiful tonight, the onion loaf was crispy and delicious, the chips crisp and a generous portion - which can be hit and miss at M&C. There was no watercress garnish on any of our plates but it’s always limp anyway from the heat lamps so it’s no great loss in my opinion.

My youngest Sons main was a kids burger with cheese and was lovely, he had what seemed like a normal portion of chips which he was delighted with (not a measly kids portion at all!) and the waitress who carried it over was very helpful in bringing a double portion of ketchup for my Sons, with a laugh and a smile, the staff were so easy going tonight, it really made the experience welcoming and friendly.

Desserts were lovely. I worried my tea might be cold by the time my dessert came but Louise reassured me she would remake it if I had a long wait but the dessert came out quickly. Even though there was a big party in at the same time, our desserts came out quick. Great job ‘starters and desserts’ team, you topped and tailed the meal excellently!

thank you, we had a great experience celebrating a special occasion, with a reliable quality of food and a great welcoming service, that’s why we come back to celebrate our special occasions with the btilliant team at the Hagley Road M&C!