I would give it one star had it not been for the polite and apologetic staff.

So what happened.

I booked via the website for a 7-8.30 slot. I had plans for a film afterwards starting at 8.30.

I admit I was 15 mins late, but I was ok with that as it was within both mine and the Botanists accepted window for tardiness.

Anyway, my initial thoughts were it was a unique venue, albeit basic in its décor and possibly a little tired. But hey ho, it was a new place to try. It wasn't busy at all (as I had anticipated), so we should be served quickly, or so I thought.

Sadly I didn't check the online menu before booking so I was a bit let down by how basic the menu was. But I ordered a steak after discussing with the waiter that I wanted it rare. I ordered a starter of crispy mushrooms. My wife had some pasta salad.

Scroll on 20 mins and the starter arrived. They weren't joking about it being crispy! I would have said tough, but it tasted ok so I let it slide.

When the starter plates were collected the waiter said "I will tell the kitchen to start your mains" which took me a back a bit as I would have hoped they would have started them already. Again I let it slide, it was only steak and veg for me and pasta for my wife, so 15-20 mins tops.

After what approached and hour I was fed up waiting. I went to find some Staff so they could chase up the kitchen. No one was around. No one greeting people nor anyone behind the bar. I went hunting again, even peering around the corner of the bar in the hope someone was hiding in the back. No one. Third time I found a young lady who I assumed was the hostess. I explained the situation and I said that I was getting annoyed and that this wasn't a good first impression. She was apologetic and went to find out what was happening. Magically the food turned up at the same time she returned to update me. I told her unless she had a time machine there was no way I could get to the film on time and that this steak ought to be the best steak I ever tasted (half joking as I was happy at least the food had turned up).

The steak looked disappointing sitting on the plate, as did the veg , which was disappointingly small. Certainly not worth the £35+ I was due to be charged.

Bearing in mind I asked for it rare, when I cut into it I found it was fully cooked. I called her over, told her I had had enough and wasn't going to eat it and could I get the bill. To her credit she offered to waive the bill, but for me it was too little too late. She even offered to remake it and waive the bill after I told her we were Leaving. I had had enough, it had spoilt an evening out (my first in almost a year).

I never have anyone remake food. I worked in a restaurant in my youth and I know what chefs are capable of when people complain about food and return it (not that I am saying theirs would, just that I have seen revenge cooking enough times in real life and on TV not to take the risk).

She explained there was an event on downstairs and the kitchen was busy. If they had told me that at the beginning I would have been clearer about my need to be away for 8.30. But the area we were in was dead quiet and I know how long a restaurant takes to make steak, especially when it is not busy. And it isn't an hour.

We left after explaining to the lady it wasn't personal and I wasn't mad at her, and thanked her for waiving the bill.

Anyway. Long story short. I won't be going back. It was disappointing on so many levels, it was a cascading set of problems and I don't blame the staff per say.

I still needed food, we would miss the bulk film even if we went for a McDonald's, so my wife and I walked to Ego's next to the winter gardens (which was absolutely rammed!!) And asked if there was anyway to fit us in.

They were happy to help.

Even longer story short. I got my steak, done rare, as I asked for, in just 15 mins from arriving, and even better, I had finished my dessert and coffee and paid the bill, with a nice tip for the waitress, in a little over 45 mins from walking though the door.