Herne Tavern, Forest Hill

I have every sympathy for a pub struggling to cope with huge demand particularly on sunny weekends but my last visit was the last straw.

Arrived at midday so it wasn't lunchtime service in full swing, told by disinterested barstaff that there was a 15 minute wait to order food. Why you would have a system that made you wait to order is beyond me. But not being in a rush, accepted and took the bottle with a number on it. Saw a couple a good 10 minutes later sit down and also leave the bar also with a bottle with a number on it.

25 minutes later I was astonished to see this couple get their order taken before us. Waited another 5 minutes with waitresses passing our table with not the slightest interest before calming explaining what I had seen to the manager behind the bar. He proceeded to tell me that this couple had according to his list had been at the bar at the same time as me which was just not true. Clearly their system doesn't work and just massively annoys people. Why not take the order and explain there will be a really long wait? I wouldn't have minded that but its a bit much when people who blatantly came in after you get served first. So I just left and I won't be going back. Terrible.

29 Mar 2011 14:04