Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co

Anon

We visited on Tuesday 26 May while in Whitstable celebrating our five-year anniversary. Looking for somewhere pleasant to enjoy a drink, we stopped by The Whitstable Oyster Company as there were several empty tables outside and the setting looked lovely.

We explained that we didn’t have a reservation and were asked whether we’d like to sit inside or outside. We said outside if possible, and Lauren seated us on the terrace.

Lauren later came over and informed us that we would have to move inside because we weren’t ordering a full meal. Her attitude throughout was rude, abrasive and unnecessarily confrontational. The issue wasn’t the policy itself - restaurants are perfectly entitled to prioritise tables for guests looking to eat a full meal. The issue was that nobody had asked whether we intended to have a full meal before seating us outside. Had we been asked, we would have been completely upfront and this situation would never have arisen.

What made the experience so disappointing was being treated as though we had done something wrong when we had simply accepted the table we were offered. There were also numerous empty tables both outside and inside at the time.

Most surprisingly, Lauren initially attempted to move us while we were still eating the chips we had ordered. We had to ask whether we could at least finish our food first. Rather than immediately agreeing, she continued to push the issue before eventually accepting that we could remain where we were until we had finished eating.

Rather than handling the situation politely, Lauren spoke to us in a way that left us feeling unwelcome and embarrassed. At that point we decided we no longer wanted to stay, so we paid our bill and left. The service charge had already been removed from the bill before it reached us, presumably because it was recognised that the service we had received would not warrant a service charge or tip.

It’s a real shame because the location is beautiful and the cocktails were excellent. However, the customer service we received from Lauren was so poor and so shocking that it completely changed our impression of the restaurant.

The problem was never the restaurant’s policy. The problem was Lauren’s failure to explain it before seating us, followed by the rude and unreasonable way she chose to handle the situation afterwards.

I had hoped to raise this directly with management before leaving a public review, but I have been unable to find an email address for the restaurant. I also attempted to contact them via Instagram, only to discover that messages cannot be sent unless they follow you. As a result, I hope management sees this review as formal feedback regarding the customer service we received.

Anon

We visited on Tuesday 26 May while in Whitstable celebrating our five-year anniversary. Looking for somewhere pleasant to enjoy a drink, we stopped by The Whitstable Oyster Company as there were several empty tables outside and the setting looked lovely.

We explained that we didn’t have a reservation and were asked whether we’d like to sit inside or outside. We said outside if possible, and Lauren seated us on the terrace.

Lauren later came over and informed us that we would have to move inside because we weren’t ordering a full meal. Her attitude throughout was rude, abrasive and unnecessarily confrontational. The issue wasn’t the policy itself - restaurants are perfectly entitled to prioritise tables for guests looking to eat a full meal. The issue was that nobody had asked whether we intended to have a full meal before seating us outside. Had we been asked, we would have been completely upfront and this situation would never have arisen.

What made the experience so disappointing was being treated as though we had done something wrong when we had simply accepted the table we were offered. There were also numerous empty tables both outside and inside at the time.

Most surprisingly, Lauren initially attempted to move us while we were still eating the chips we had ordered. We had to ask whether we could at least finish our food first. Rather than immediately agreeing, she continued to push the issue before eventually accepting that we could remain where we were until we had finished eating.

Rather than handling the situation politely, Lauren spoke to us in a way that left us feeling unwelcome and embarrassed. At that point we decided we no longer wanted to stay, so we paid our bill and left. The service charge had already been removed from the bill before it reached us, presumably because it was recognised that the service we had received would not warrant a service charge or tip.

It’s a real shame because the location is beautiful and the cocktails were excellent. However, the customer service we received from Lauren was so poor and so shocking that it completely changed our impression of the restaurant.

The problem was never the restaurant’s policy. The problem was Lauren’s failure to explain it before seating us, followed by the rude and unreasonable way she chose to handle the situation afterwards.

I had hoped to raise this directly with management before leaving a public review, but I have been unable to find an email address for the restaurant. I also attempted to contact them via Instagram, only to discover that messages cannot be sent unless they follow you. As a result, I hope management sees this review as formal feedback regarding the customer service we received.

Adelaide H

Awesome food.

Kerry A

My family and I was sitting on the beach, which included my two year old son, enjoying the beautiful sights of the beach, when suddenly a man started shouting at his staff, enough to stop everybody on the beach and look the man was swearing and shouting, my two year old then repeated what the man said, so I kindly went and asked politely if he could watch his language as there were children on the beach, the man then said and I shall miss the swear words out that'll the people on the beach were sitting on his benches and he could do what he liked, people were that appalled with his language and the arrogance in what he said they left, regardless if the food is good he obviously does not value his customers and has no regard for children. Hence I decided not to eat in here

Stefi N

I dared to complain and was abused by the owner of the Whitstable Oyster Co. He told me he doesn't care about internet reviews as they won't affect his business. Think again, Mr Green, we're all reading this… Your service is less than derisory, but to abuse a customer because they dare to call you on your lack of service is simply disgusting. And to do it in front of your young son? Well, nice memories you're creating. Very well done to you on so many levels – bravo!

Ria P

IS this a restaurant or a sixth form college? Disappointing – Not worth the money I visited this restaurant last weekend (4th Aug 2012) with my two children. The restaurant was empty as we arrived well after the lunch setting at 3pm. The service was dreadful – there was plenty of staff, all very young, I counted at least 15 but they were all hanging around chatting. Is this a restaurant or a sixth form college? They were clearly not professional waiting staff and clearly had not been trained. That’s fine for a café but at these prices I expect service, especially when they apply a hefty service charge. I had to ask three times for our drinks and they eventually arrived after the main course. The food was not delivered to our table at the same time – something I hate. We were ignored and had to go out of our way to get attention if we wanted extra drinks or service. The food was average and overpriced – 16.50 for fish and chips – soggy batter and mushy peas that had clearly been sitting around too long, as the top was crusty. I had to wait ages for the bill pay. I would have complained had I not wanted to get out as quick as possible. Finally, the toilets were dirty. I will not go there again and recommend everyone else to avoid it. This restaurant obviously relies on day-trippers and non-repeat customers. It deserves to go out of business which I'm sure it will do eventually.

REVIEW M

Yes mmmmmmmmnnn

Steve M

What a HUGE disappointment. This restaurant has a high opinion of its self and one I believe to be living off the town and its reputation. First of all, the the service was poor. Too many young waitresses all hanging around in bunches…whats the collective term, is it a gaggle of waitresses or herd of waitresses? Not sure. We were a group of five on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm and the first thing we were told as we were handed the greasy paper menus was “run out of prawns!” What? You are a seafood restaurant, on the coast the the sea almost engulfing the restaurant and you have ‘run out of prawns’?? I'm surprised they never supplied us with a rowing boat to catch our own the service was that poor. As for the menu, too small boring and not enough variety. No skate wings for instance, no swordfish, no langoustines, no half of lobster, No traditional whelks, jellied eels for my South London born mum… I've mentioned the prawns..! My wife had a baked fish – plain and no taste. The bill was close to £300.00 – the wine cost a fortune but my god, saved the day! Would I go again not in a million years.

Ann P

Location is the saving grace for this restaurant. Lovely setting, right on the beach, especially if you can get in the first room. We have been using this restaurant periodically for years and it has always been very patchy. Service is generally poor – frosty management never makes you feel like they remember you or your custom is valued. The prices have gone through the roof – starters average £11, mains £18, veg extra, desserts £7 and wine is quite expensive too. Then they add 10% on for service, which is very questionable. On a recent visit our waitress was very pleasant and dealt well with our complaint but the restaurant manager was her usual frosty self. My sea bream was ok, but lacked flavour to be classed as really good. My mother's skate was tiny and arrived luke warm. She asked for it to be reheated, but it was still very bland and it lost most of its butter sauce in the reheating. We were not charged for the skate, which was good because my mother was very disappointed with it. We had sides of tomato salad and mixed leaf salad with beans, two desserts (quite nice), two filter coffees and a bottle of sparkling water. The bill was £50 including service. With the skate it would have been £70. This is quite a lot for a two course lunch without wine, so I would expect the quality of the food and service to be first class. It was a special occasion for us, so it was a disappointing experience. The refund does not compensate for the fact that the day was marred. The beautiful location is the main reason to go back – otherwise, I think this restaurant would have gone out of business long ago.

Ross C

I'm surprised by the bad reviews on here — we obviously caught them on a good day. It was bustling, friendly and we were warmly welcomed. We went on a Sunday lunchtime and the menu was excellent. Great choice of champagne and wine also. We had three courses each, including oysters, crab, whole lobster, sea bream, sticky toffee pudding and cheesecake — all fantastic, particularly the main courses. They definitely take a straightforward approach, but sometimes this really works and we were delighted with the all round experience of eating here. The location is fantastic too and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. Service was cheery and attentive. This was our first time in Whitstable and we were disappointed not to get a table at Wheelers so we can't compare the two, but we rate this restaurant highly, and we eat out a lot! Will definitely go back, I hope we catch them on another good day!