All Bar One Worcester — Restaurant in Worcester

Letting down the ABO name!!!

We went in today to get some lunch and have a drink. It was fairly busy but not rammed. We waited for a good 5 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us. A waiter mumbled something about seating us then walked away, leaving us waiting longer. Eventually, the same waiter mumbled that we could have a table that needed wiping down as we approached the bar looking confused and a bit annoyed. We sat down at the still sticky table and he walked off leaving us without menus. We waited another 5 minutes, trying and failing to catch the attention of the frantic staff, before giving up and leaving.

So, here’s the sad bit. This place is brand new to Worcester and is part of a well known chain. I have had some brilliant evenings and nights out in ABO in London and the service has only ever been excellent. It was really frustrating, therefore, to experience this total mess, jeopardising the reputation of an otherwise pretty great business.

Here is some humble advice from someone who spent years working in hospitality and eats and drinks out a lot:

Train your staff in social interactions.

Train your staff how to speak to people, smile, project their voice, make eye contact and explain things clearly.

The waiter today was busy, yes. But if he had simply taken 10 seconds to smile, acknowledge our presence, explain that he was busy but that he would seat us ASAP, then we would have happily waited. You’d be amazed how much a decent customer is willing to put up with as long as they feel acknowledged and trust that the staff are doing their best.

Today was not your best, ABO. Not even close.

Sort it out before the big bosses notice that the Worcester chain isn’t...

What an awful experience. A group of us went in our lunch break. one of the group had a voucher for a bottle of Proseco. The waiter duly took the voucher and came back with a GLASS of Proseco. It was pointed out to him that the voucher was for a bottle, he grunted an 'oh' and took the glass away. He came back with a bottle and one glass, dirty at that. We asked could we have 4 glasses please, another 'oh'. We order the food, and waited, and waited, and waited. Smaller and later parties were getting their food, and as it was our lunchtime we asked how long it was going to be. 'How long have you been waiting?' I think they are used to having to ask this question. We said about 35 mins. The waiter went away, came back and said it will be 5 minutes, after 10 minutes and keeping our eye on the open kitchen area we spied what we thought was our food. Another 10 mins went by and we eventually got our food. It was cold!! we complained, and again I think they are so used to complaints they the waiter soon came back and took a % of the bill. The food was not worth the discounted price, so I won't be going back there. AND, we were late...

Very average which means I should give it three stars really, bang in the middle. However when we went it was quiet which as a result meant the staff were not in busy mode yet, they were stood in a huddle at the bar and we had to go and get one to take a drinks order (which they got wrong!). The food is ok but not worth the price and I would say that the menu is a bit limited. I was there for a bit of a family get together but left feeling we would have had a nicer time somewhere else. The place looks ok and is pitched at a higher level than other chain restaurants but it seems a bit soulless. However, this opinion may have been tainted by the other disappointments. I'm not going to be scathing about it as it is a standard chain place but the way it is presented promises more that was delivered. When a place is not busy the staff should be right on the ball and...