Berro Lounge — Restaurant in South Oxfordshire

Group booking organised by my friend Friday 4th August. 8pm. Arrived lovely welcome asked about allergies. Shown to table. We sat chatting 10 mins then realised we had to order drinks at the bar. But no one had told us this, anyway better as we pay as we go so no need to sort bill . I ordered a pink lemonade and a raspberry crush cocktail. I was told he would bring the latter to my table 6 or 7 mins at least went by no drink . Young lad bought a cocktail over didn't announce what it was. My friend took it but turns out it wasn't hers but another member in our group. So we waited again. Finally a YELLOW drink arrived. When are raspberries yellow? I queried it with a waiter. He just shrugged and said don't know I didn't bring it to the table??? Another lad came and asked if ok. No, we said, wrong cocktail. It was then sorted. Food arrived I had the same as another in the group but hers was GF so I asked waiter. He didn't know. I couldn't cut my chicken as stringy and tough so was my friends. I had to use my fingers and bite the chicken. What with everything else I decided if we complained how long would we wait. So we struggled eating it. Again no one said we had to order desert's at the bar so we didn't bother, by the way our food was pre ordered on booking with deposits. We asked for the bill and it wasn't correct. Our £5 deposit hadn't been taken off. Then we were asked to pay as our name was called. Felt like roll call at school. I was then overcharged and had to say to the lad. What a mess...it took 20 mins to sort the bill. I was asked if I wanted to leave a tip. Only tip I would leave would be nothing to do with money! Most people have enjoyed the Berro, it was my first visit. I would like to say I would return. But if bad experience again I would swerve it in the future. My end of the table had bad service but rest of group was ok. I would want a refund, and should really of said...

I hate giving money to chains so whenever I can, I try to give my custom to small businesses. And this one has got the potential to be the best in town...

BUT. BIIIIIG BUT.

Food-wise I can't complain much: got their version of Eggs Benedict (Lounge Eggs) with Smoked Back Bacon. Bacon is cooked majestically: dark brown crispy crispy crispy. Eggs poached to almost perfection. Hollandaise sauce fresh and nice, not too heavy. English muffin: well... little to no toasted, basically uncooked, kinda difficult to even stab with the fork. Also it comes buttered, which doesn't make sense as the egg is runny and the sauce is made of freaking butter. Which chef thinks: "Do you know what we need here, more butter!"???

Then my biggest pet peeve: I got asked to pay before. WHY? This ain't McDonald's! Let me enjoy my breakfast experience before making me think about money. That's the reason why you have the sign "please wait here to be seated" at the entrance.

To top that, I was told to help myself to tap water (fair) but my large fresh orange juice never arrived at the table. Should I have come to the bar to take it myself? Not clear.

The guy in charge refunded me instantly, which was a good thing.

Coffee is very nice, but I'd like to teach them how to make it: I asked for a macchiato, but the guy just spooned froth on top of espresso, which btw is not technically how you make it.

In conclusion: I could have easily had brunch, lunch and cocktails there whilst waiting for my friend to join me, instead I just had my good eggs and coffee and I was out pretty quickly, which is a shame.

Review reads like a 2 but I want to keep a positive outlook and leave the 3rd star just on the strength of the eggs and decor.

Planning to be back though (if you're OK having a very fussy customer...).

Until...

Staff are fabulous I dont know how they climb up and down those stairs all day delivering food. I dont know why they didnt include a dumb waiter when they built this place! 2 of us had the fish finger sandwiches with lettuce and tartare sauce. It has whole capers in the tartare sauce which makes it quite salty. My sister loved it but I would ask them to hold the tartare sauce next time. The fish fingers are lush. Our best bud had the grilled cheese and ham toastie she loved it. And we all had fries which are gorgeous lovely and crispy and fluffy inside. Drinks were lovely apart from my mates pot of tea she wasnt too keen on their tea bags think you need 2 they are very weak, so she plumped for a cappuccino when she finished that, which she loved, We ordered our puddings 45 minutes later I went to the counter and ordered more drinks and chased up the puds, they arrived 15 mins later my mate had the carrot cake which looked lovely, I know some peeps hate this word but it was nice and MOIST, she said it was so good I had the churros with a chocolate dip it was supposed to have a salted caramel dip but it was just 2 pots of chocolate dip no biggie as they were amazing. My sister had the sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream which is always a hit. I thoroughly recommend their coffee I had a flat white and it was soooo nice and I'm fussy about my coffee. All in all a fabulous time had by all. Oh and Mr Selley you will be pleased to know they cleaned the table...