The Ritz

"Don't go, unless you're a member of the patriarchy and a quick eater! When we got to our table, various staff introduced themselves and requested orders for pre-lunch drinks and provided menus. I was rather surprised that all the staff spoke to my husband first and by name and then just nodded at me (apart from an “er madam” from one member of staff). After the third occasion, I pointed out to who I think was the head waiter (who had again spoken to my husband by name, but not to me) that I had booked the meal - I then told him my name and that I would prefer that I was spoken to. I have never been so ignored at a restaurant. Things improved at our table after I had spoken to the head waiter, but I did notice some effusive welcomes by the same staff to gentlemen at other tables, with the female with them being ignored. We were not provided with a wine list and no sommelier had been back to our table after we had chosen a non-alcoholic drink before lunch (although we had mentioned that my husband would like wine with his meal). When I had finished my first course, waiters took our plates away, even though my husband still had food in his mouth that he was chewing. He had only put his cutlery down to break off some bread to eat with the remains of his tomato consommé. I quickly asked him if he had finished and he shook his head, so I asked for his plate to be returned. He was then able to finish this course. The next course (a very good ballotine of duck liver) concluded with a small tartlet. I was astonished when the waiters approached to remove our plates while we were both still chewing and savouring our last mouthfuls. I held up both hands and asked them to stop and after that they did not remove our plates until after they had asked if we had finished a course and were ready to have our plates removed. The saving grace throughout our lunch was the food. Each plate of food was well balanced, full of flavour and very much to our taste. We were impressed with the standard and quality of food. However, I was not impressed with the waiting staff or the response that I received from the General Manager after I had written to let him know of our experience. His whole letter seemed to be written from the viewpoint that he considered that there was no way that the Ritz or its staff could be anything less than excellent at all times and that not one of the concerns that I raised could possibly have occurred in the way described and so nothing needed to be brought to anyone’s attention. Even when he admitted that there was “an error with our dining reservations” to explain why they spoke to my husband as the "host", he did not suggest that the Ritz would do anything to try to stop this happening to other guests. When referring to the clearing of plates he wrote “I can only assume they thought you and your husband had finished” (he obviously didn't bother to mention it to the waiting staff) and he also included the supremely weasel-like line "I apologise if this resulted in making you feel unheard" (nothing at all to acknowledge that I had been ignored). I felt like I had gone back 40 years and had entered a gentleman’s club, where the female accompanying the man was not usually his wife and so beneath notice, or that staff were trying not to cause offence by talking to a woman in front of her husband. Either way, I was rather annoyed by their attitude towards me. I responded to the General Manager highlighting my disappointment with the contents of his letter to me, but he has not yet given me the courtesy of a reply."

"A wonderful tasting menu and wine pairing. The service is immaculate. The room and setting are stunning."

"Old school class"

"Wow! There’s a sense of occasion walking into the grand restaurant and any fear of stuffiness or over formality vanishes quickly thanks to the professional but relaxed staff. Top quality, lux ingredients brilliantly cooked and a very high standard throughout the 8 courses. Good value for the quality and location."