Harts Boatyard, Surbiton

Lovely setting, especially at sunset across the River Thames. Friendly welcome into well appointed restaurant for our small party. However that's where the good news stops. If you're happy to wait at least 20 minutes before your order is taken, at least 40 minutes before the starters turn up and then at least another 30 minutes before the main dish, then this is the place for you! Another little foible was the dessert timing: one of our party was served within 10 minutes, whilst the rest of us waited at least another 10 minutes!! Tea and coffee also served BEFORE dessert in most cases. Staff quite surprised when we asked after 25 minutes how long food might be !
Food satisfactory overall: range of dishes evident and reasonably balanced with vegetables and pastas where appropriate. Fish/meat variety reasonable.
Cost? With 3 bottles of wine main dishes and a mixture of starters and desserts - just over �25 per head. We did not pay the gratuity that had been gratuitously added to the bill: no response from staff at all.
Oh ... bar down stairs was suffering from lack of cold bottled beer (delivery at 6.30 pm attempting to deal with that!) No bitter lemon either: two pumps not working well. Good job place wasn't busy! Our fault probably for wanting to go on a Monday evening!
Don't know that we'll be going back there ...

13 May 2008 10:31