Bird & Bear — Restaurant in Scotland

Very odd experience. We had booked a table of 6 for 6.30pm for food, 5 days in advance and were happily booked in. We walked into the establishment 2 minutes before our scheduled booking time and were greeted with nothing. No acknowledgement from staff (3 of whom were behind the bar facing our general direction). A simple hello would of sufficed.

After walking up to the bar and waiting for anyone to be bothered to stop gossiping, I was greeted with a less than friendly "yes?!"

The music was oddly loud for somewhere that had a total of 9 customers (including the 6 of us). Some of the group were older and had hearing problems, and I asked politely if they wouldnt mind turning down the music due to the aforementioned hearing issues.

The first staff member (who I presume was quite new due to their friendlier disposition) said very nicely "yes no problem" and attempted to turn it down, but couldn't find the controls. They then asked who I'm assuming was the manager for help, who bluntly snapped at me "No, were not turning it down, this is a bar so it's loud, and it's only going to get louder." I am very aware a bar is not a library but it is a place people drink and socialise which involves conversation, something that is quite strenuous if you're constantly roaring at each other over radio 1's top 40.

After an awkward debacle, we were sent to our table which was a miniscule table for 4 (again we had booked for a table of 6, days ago) and it wasn't set up, which would be more understandable if it were busy and we were a walk in, but again, there were only 3 other people in the building and we had booked days ago. The waiter then moved us to a bigger table which we were grateful for.

After enduring it for around 10 minutes I again asked if the music could be turned down, as now that we were sat upstairs, impaired or not, we couldn't hear. The supposed manager then made a final stand, pointing out that this was "NOT a restaurant," and the music should be loud, and the food was "a secondary thing" that just happened to be in the bar. Weird when it's openly advertised as a bar restaurant and they actively promote the restaurant/food aspect.

Furthermore watching the staff rolling their eyes and mocking what anyone who went to the bar said, was pathetic. You would think they would be smart enough to know people can see you from the mezzanine.

We chose to leave so I can't comment on the food or drinks unfortunately. Just some of the staff need some lessons in basic manners and decorum, especially the manager (shorter woman with blonde highlights and multiple face piercings)

We went to Milas instead which...

We originally went for food next door at Abandon ship, unfortunately they no longer do food so we were down in here (owned by the same people). We were greeted by an eye roll from the waiter who obviously had better things to do than serve us food. He explained a number of items they don't have, so we set too deciding what we were going to have. I decided to have a spicy breaded chicken burger. My partner decided on fish and chips. When we ordered I was told the chicken burger wasn't in breadcrumbs. I thought, that's OK, should still be good. We ordered our cocktails and waited. Our drinks arrived. Not a great start, My partners tasted like off orange juice. My drink was missing a key ingredient, which I later found out was because they didn't have any. The food arrived. I had a grilled chicken breast on a bun with rocket. Very little seasoning if any. No sauce. Nothing. I thought, maybe there is spice on the chicken, I'll just have it as is. Wrong. Most basic boring chicken burger I've ever had. The redeeming factor was that the chips were decent thick cut bad boys. The barmaid was friendly too. I found out afterwards that it's 2 new Chefs in the kitchen so I will cut them some slack. Won't be...

Spent a day visiting the companies businesses in Dundee with my wife (reviews re other establishments on their dedicated Google presences.) Very disappointing at Bird & Bear unfortunately. On entry we were asked if we had a reservation and felt inferior as we had not. We sat at the bar and were promptly served and the drinks which were OK for the price and were happy to have another round however after a good ten minutes on trying to get staff attention and failing we asked what looked like the floor manager about being served. He did speak to the bar staff about our wishes yet still after witnessing the bar staff ignore even his request and chat, wash dishes and ‘wander,’ we decided to leave. We could have left without paying as the staffing was so unprofessional but that not being us, we eventually got a member of staff to get us our bill. A very disappointing one drink experience. Well done to PD on your expansion and not only in Dundee but if your estate is starting to flaw as we experienced today, I fear only through experience that the businesses will not continue to have the following it has had and historically...