I booked in for an early Friday lunch (12:15) and was quite looking forward to my meal. I have frequented Simpsons on previous occasions and always enjoyed the experience. This time however I caught the floor staff on a bad day.

There were only two other tables occupied when i was seated so the staff were not run off their feet. I asked the waiter if he could describe the days special starters or soup. “There aren't any” I was told. Fortunately I had heard a polite waitress inform one of the other tales of the special starter or Prawns.

I again asked if there were any special starters at all that day. Same answer. After a moments silence the Waiter remembered that there was a Prawn starter. no attempt to describe it or promote it. In fact, no welcome, no “How are you today”.

I opted for the Artichoke soup as a starter and and the Steak and Kidney pie as a main course (with some roasted Beets). the order was taken and no more said.

A sommelier then approached me asking if I would like some wine. I indicated that I would like a glass and was directed to the page indicating wine by the glass. the gentleman walked off. I wasn't asked what food I had selected or even given a recommendation.

when he returned, I selected a red. few moments later the gentleman returned showed me the label of the bottle. I nodded and he proceeded to pour the glass. no option to taste the wine to see if it was suitable. a different member of staff did allow a customer sitting close to me to taste the wine before pouring.

The waiter who took my order arrived to offer me some bread. I declined but it looked good.

I waited a short while until out of nowhere a young waiter placed the bowl of soup in front of me and mumbled something that had the word “spoon” in it. I watched him walk off to the far end of the room and retrieve a soup spoon and come back to present it to me. this is a fairly uneventful act in itself until you put a look on his face that spoke a thousand words. I dont know who said… More