Minnis Bay Bar & Brasserie — Restaurant in Thanet

As we were having a family celebration for my birthday the day after, we didn't want to go somewhere too expensive, that was still nice on the day. Bearing in mind it was a Friday, on what was being publicised as the "hottest weekend of the year" thus far at the time, I thought it would be ideal. We have dined at many Shepherd Kneame restaurants over the years which, along with its location, was why I chose to go to the Minnis. Prior to leaving home I checked their menu, which enabled me to be able to order our food while hubby took the dog for a walk. Unsurprisingly upon arrival, just before midday, it was already busy at the waitered outdoor seating area. Seeing I have a disability, the young lady was VERY kind and offered me a table on the self service side. She said she would have a staff member bring our drinks, but I'd have to go to the bar to order them and our food. Fair enough, what excellent customer service! So off I go and order the drinks, easy! Then I go to order lunch...... but lunch orders couldn't be taken for another 3 minutes. Unfortunately I'm unable to stand for that long, so had to return to the table outside. On my way passed I asked the lovely young lady who'd helped me previously to let me know when I could order. Then our drinks were delivered, but unfortunately hubby's cider glass had 3 ice cubes in it as the cider wasn't chilled. Ah well, it's just one of those things right? No point complaining! I received a call when the 3 minutes were up and again made my way into the building. I spoke to the same nice young man who'd served my drinks and began ordering the food. When it came to hubby's choice there was a problem...... they didn't have any. OK not a problem! I immediately telephoned him (directly in front of the server) explaining the situation and he made another choice, which I repeated out loud to him to make sure I'd got it right. OK here we go! I now look at the server and he repeats hubby's order to me without me even having to say it. Excellent service! Then he puts the order through the system and......... they don't have it! By this stage I'm at the point of laughing, even though it's not funny, asking if he's joking. Sadly he wasn't! I can't ring hubby AGAIN, as he was at a "intricate" point in their walk the last time I called! The poor young man looked horrified. So I cancel the entire food order and returned to our drinks, just as hubby arrives thirsty from their walk. Now by this time, the 3 ice cubes have melted and his cider is even warmer. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME! Ended up at a lovely pub we know in Minster and had a beautiful lunch there instead. I just felt sorry for all the 'captive' tourists due that sweltering weekend! To be told "computer says no!" Let me emphasise I DO NOT blame the poor young man, he only works there. It's just super ironic that a brewery simply couldn't organise a....... I'm sure you know the phrase I'm thinking of! So to finish, even with its amazing location and excellent staff, we won't...

Views are beautiful, but we will not be returning until we can be assured of good service. We were a table of eight booked for 7:30 Four of us turned up a little early we were greeted politely shown to our table where we asked if we coild order drinks while waiting for our friends when they turned up 15 minutes later we waited a other 15 minutes for someone to take our order for drink, starters & mains then there was a further wait The drinks arrived (we'd been there 45 minutes by this time) our starters arrived a few minutes later and were good. We then waited and waited and waited. Eventually calling over a waitress who asked if we wanted desert. We explained we hadn't had our main course. She went off and there was another long wait we asked someone else for more drinks and got those but no food. Eventually the food turned up. I had Masala haddock which was inedible it burnt my mouth and throat. My friend who likes hot curries said it was too hot for him. Those who had pasta were offered parmasan cheese arrived without any. No sauces for burgers. We asked for some. There was no cutlery. We asked but ended up finding it ourselves. No one came back with the cheese or sauces, eventually we went and got some. the same person who had to hunt for the cutlery, so her food was cold when she got back. No one came to offer desserts; tables were being cleared around us we managed to call someone we asked if we could order deserts and cocktails and were told the kitchen and bar were shut and staff had gone home it was past 10pm. We asked for the bill and as we were paying were told we could get a desert after all but we couldn't bear waiting any further. The tip was included in the bill, but staff did not deserve it but we paid it because we did not want to be churlish. By the way, I let the waiter know about the masala sauce so he could let the chef know and was told that was how the dish was prepared. W had bern a good mood and enjoyed each others company, but the evening was marred by endless delays, apalling service and sullen staff. Also, the toilets had loo paper everywhere, I cleaned an area up before using the cubicle, there was no soap in the dispensers, and as I passed the kichen noticed food all over the floors and a white door with black grime where dirty hands had pushed it open. This was the area visible to the public goodness knows what the rest of the kitchen was like. The Minnis has missed a trick here; they could have made more money from drinks and food and return custom, but we are 8 people who will not be returning and 8 people with friends who eat out who will be advising people not...

Second visit, ambience nice, clean and tidy too. Given the time of year we pre-booked but didn't need to as ample seating. Sat outside to watch the sunset and full moon rise. Menu quite basic for a shepherd neame restaurant and a tad pricey too. Pizza, burger and traditional choices too. There are plenty of choices of drinks alcoholic and non alcoholic, hot or cold drinks too. We ordered steak, medium, they had run out of peppercorn sauce. The meal came, well presented not had parmesan sliced on rocket leaves before but worked well. Unfortunately the steak and chips were warm, it had been suggested it might be due to us sitting outside but I often sit outside on warm nights and am served a hot meal. The meals were changed only a slight improvement in the temperature, Also close to well done than medium.

Evie, our waitress was very attentive, helpful, polite and apologetic for our warm meal, despite it not being her fault, she was very professional throughout,. She checked on us to see if we needed more drinks etc and nothing seemed too much, she was genuine in her approach and service made us feel valued. It was positive to see that during the heatwave the two girls working outside the restaurant were allowed to wear shorts/shorter skirt, given the heat this was good to see rather than sweating in long trousers being at risk of heat stroke,. Those working inside have the benefit of Aircon or fans. Thank you Evie you made our evening enjoyable (I'm sure you'll pass your driving test so the hard work to fund it...