Really sad to not be able to rave about this restaurant that I have previously loved. The service and food offering was very different from the last time I was here.
On arrival the waiter responded to me asking how his day was with "oh I just rolled out of bed and had a shower and got here".
I requested assistance with my dietary requirement, as the menu has no hints - to be presented with a complicated spreadsheet of ticks and crosses where I was left to find something to eat by myself. Really not a great sign where there is a "GFO" marked for a dish - only to find out that option is to remove the gluten from the dish and not replace it with anything else. So it's really a take it or leave it approach from the chef. Which is fine - but that is better communicated on the website or booking and then you can make a choice if it's for you or not ahead of schedule.
My partners starter arrived a good 5 minutes before mine, and when mine did arrive, so too did my entree all at the same time. When I asked the waitress to ensure that my main wasn't fired until I was finished - she told me the chef always sends the "bites" at the same time as the entree - regardless of food sitting going cold on the table - and there is "a time limit on the table you know".... that was extremely surprising to be told that way.
You can't beat the view, but given the lack of assistance or care with the dietary requirement and timings on the pass of the ticket itself, I was really disappointed. And don't worry - we got up and vacated the table right at 2pm so we didn't exceed that time limit - pity as then there were no extra purchases of wine, extra desserts or drinks - but we got the feeling they didn't care about that either.
I'm happy to read everyone else's reviews that is was amazing, its sad when you have waited for your reservation and left so disappointed.