VUDU — Restaurant in Worthing

Unfortunately didn’t have the best experience here. We went for my husbands birthday yesterday and the service was appalling. We were sat down straight away but it took about 10 minutes for someone to come and take the order for our drinks. There was literally one table outside, and ours at this point. When it was time to order the food. The waiter just said “do you know what you want”. The food was nice but it started to get a bit odd. When he asked if we wanted anything else to eat, we said we hadn’t got one of our dishes yet and he looked confused then came back and said the fryers weren’t working, and wont take long to sort it out. Which was fine. We were going to order more drinks in the meantime but then he walked away. Meanwhile leaving our empty drinks and plates on the table. In the meantime another table had come in and he said to both of our tables they can’t do anymore food. Then the power went out, and it looked like no one knew what to do. Then we were randomly brought out our chicken dish which he said they couldn’t cook because the fryers weren’t working. Bit odd. The chicken was lukewarm. We thought it would just be better to go, all the staff were just standing at the counter chatting so I had to wait until someone came over to another table to ask for our bill. Then no one came over and the original waiter came by and said we have to figure something out. I said oh we were looking to pay if that’s ok and abruptly said yeah that’s what we’re figuring out. Then the guy came back over and said he had spoken to the manager and was like “I hate to ask this but you need to bank transfer us”, which was completely fine, of course needed to pay. But then he walked off and didn’t come back. I had to then go over and tell him that I’d done it but he just brushed me off. I had heard so many good things about this restaurant but was quite disappointed. On another note we went to the pizza around the corner from there, now that had amazing service and...

Expensive and overrated. Unfortunately when we arrived we weren't made to feel particularly welcome - we had to awkwardly stand and wait before a waitress approached (not in a friendly manner), and then pointed to her screen for me to confirm my name and booking. After being seated, as we shared one menu between 2, we waited at least 10 minutes for a waitress to take our order, and had to wait another 20 mins before the cocktails arrived. The food even started to arrive before our drinks. She did not take our food order correctly and missed 2 of the dishes which we had to ask for later. The food was good, and at least it was hot despite being horrendously late, but the variety of waitresses just slammed them down and walked away, with no real set order or explanation of each dish, and with large gaps between each small plate. The team looked irritated when we asked for more drinks. And when mine arrived, the waitress spilled a large portion of it, didn't acknowledge it or clean it up. The table next to us complained they did not enjoy their one of their dishes, and I listened as the head waitress recommended next time they should just ask to have it fried instead. The team then add their "discretionary" 10% tip to the bill.

The food was good, the cocktails tasted nice (but not particularly alcoholic). The restaurant seems more concerned with the panache of serving the drinks in scuba diving helmets or smoke. The music was loud but not pleasant, and sounded from a cheap sound system. Despite adequate food and drink, and a nice decor, it ultimately just isn't good hospitality or etiquette. Proper table waiting with concern and care would be more appreciated than fancy glassware, especially at the prices...

Minus zero customer service: We've enjoyed Vudu a few times but Wed. 21 Aug lunch = 2 incompetent front-of-house staff. Place was half empty, but the 2 inattentive staff (of the 'just a summer job so don't give a S- variety'), relentlessly skulked in the back, as though no one was there. We waited & waited for either to take our order (& we were closest the bar). Eventually had to usher 1 over...Little Miss Dour Face, whose permanent grimace cemented the frosty atmosphere pervading the place. Waited & waited for our drinks. Then ushered the other over..."Oh, she's changing the draft barrel" More waiting, before finally drinks came with the food... but no cutlery or napkins. Got up this time to ask misery-face for our utensils. Thought I'd take them back myself (save more waiting for "service"). I stood while they slowly-slowly wiped the cutlery. As they finished they said "I'll bring it over."...Why didn't you say that to start with?! You could see I was standing there. Not once did they ask how the food was, not once whether we wanted more drinks. Needless to say: no tip. Food was good. We went a la carte because (& here's a tip): unless you want to power guzzle gassy alcohol in 90mins skip "Bottomless" brunch which, at our sitting, consisted of 1 meal only & as much select booze as you could bloat yourself with in the allotted time, for JUST £39 ie 4-5+ drinks before it's...