The Goat, Battersea

We went there last night for the second time, and I was disappointed because I enjoyed our first visit very much.

It's got a great ambience as it's a moderate size but still retains it's original interior, so seems fairly cavernous. The clientele also seemed quite young and arty, making for a cool atmosphere. Also, it was one of the few places open on till reasonably late on New Year's day!

Alas last night, a barman who I didn't remember from last time didn't make a brilliant impression. He wasn't rude as such, but a bit abrasive and he didn't really seem to be listening properly.

The first time he served us was when we ordered some mid booze sustenance in the form of tea and coffee and cheesecake.

He did the 'are you sure you gave me a twenty and not a tenner?' thing.

When I told him I had given him a twenty he seemed mildly certain it was a tenner, but to be fair he did look in the till and found that the topmost note was a twenty and it was misplaced in the tenners' section. He apologized.

Now I'm the type of person who likes to give the benefit of the doubt so I don't automatically assume I'm being scammed when I get this - and he rectified the mistake fairly, so I didn't make a fuss. But it is awkward and I don't appreciate it.

Also, something else happened later which made me wonder.

Our second round was meant to be identical to the first, and this chap served us. Save for a small glass of white rather than a large, it was the same as our first - I had a Leffe again. However when I returned from getting the drink he had poured a large glass not a small. I decided not to protest and I just took the blame with my wife saying I forgot. I also didn't explain to her that this time the large white and pint of Leffe had cost us �7.75, whereas last time it was �7.60. I didn't complain to the guy. To be honest he seemed the type of bloke who would make a scene and try to make me out to be a difficult customer. For the sake of 15p, I decided it wasn't worth the trouble.

But still, it's the principle that matters really. Also, I do wonder whether a less perceptive customer could potentially be diddled out of more cash, by mistake of course.

He was about 5' 6" and seemed of Latin American appearance with a mercurial manner and a ready smile (which didn't seem that genuine).

1 Feb 2010 12:27