I am a regular at Smiths of Smithfield.. or was. I've had my company Xmas dinners there and entertained clients and friends. It was an easy place to go to for lunch, looks appealing and had a good atmosphere.

However took two friends for lunch at Christmas , and left with a bad taste in my mouth. We were rushed to order virtually as soon as we sat down, told that we were entitled to one bottle of free water, and then would have to pay for the rest. So that was 500ml between 3 adults! We ordered lunch which was fine, my daily special of fish and chips was fresh and crisp so it was a shame that they could not provide a decent tartare sauce to go with it. We finished and ordered mint tea, which was brought with no sugar despite spoons on the saucers. Then, at five to two were told that we would have to leave becuase the table was booked. We were then told again five minutes later. I did feedback to the Australian staff member that this was fine – but just for their feedback, if they had told my PA when they booked we would have moved with a little more haste. I was curtly told as he walked away from me that “all staff are trained to that, so I'd check with your PA if I were you”. He was so dismissive I was gobsmacked.

Lucky that there are a number of good restaurants in Farringdon that may be less funky but what I really like is good service and you don't get that here. I, my colleagues and staff will keep going to the Bleeding Heart which is more delicious food and vastly more pleasant staff, or St Germain, again which has very nice people running it and the food is great.