Reviews of Percolla Ltd t/a Watsons Restaurant & Bar, Leicester
Review by Alex on 14th December, 2007
Add your review Date visited: Many times
Since moving to Leicester 18 months ago I have been to Watsons on a monthly basis, taking friends, family and business associates. Unlike the majority of Leicester eateries which operate a strict pile it high and sell it cheap policy, the food at Watsons is excellent and the service is good. The set menu is particularly good value and the atmosphere is right for the style of food. It must be mentioned that this is the only fine food restaurant in Leicester and the only safe option for a business lunch or evening meal. The only criticism that I could make is that sometimes the service doesn't reflect the very high standards of food and ambience. I will continue to visit Watsons with pleasure.
Review by Del on 6th November, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 04/11/06
Two words: AWFUL SERVICE.
A classic example of a restaurant that pulls out all the stops to build up a reputation and then lets its standards drop.
My party of eight ate at Watsons this Saturday, and we will never eat there again. Whilst the food was excellent (although portion sizes do seem to have shrunk significantly over the last few years) I must comment on the dreadful level of service, which was at best slow, at worst surly.
Having been hurried out of the bar to sit at our table, we were then left for 30 mins with just bread rolls for company. No drinks, no wine list. When the waitress finally reappeared to take our order and we enquired about the wine list she replied grumpily "well which do you want me to do, take your order or get the wine list?".
The food itself was fine, although the amount of veg served with the main courses was pitiful - 3 tiny bowls with the minimum anount of veg in them between 8 people? I don't think so... we asked for more and were grudgingly given another bowl.
The waitress was unable to describe what the desert "A Taste of English Apple" was. Who knows -- maybe it was just an apple, we couldn't take that risk!
We finally retreated to the bar, where we were left alone for 15 mins. Eventually I had to stick my head into the kitchen and ask chef if the bar was closed. He said no, and said he'd send someone. Along came a 17-year old, who, surprised at the fact that after waiting at the bar for that time we wanted some drinks. She infomed us that as she was under 18 she wasn't allowed to serve alcohol. She wandered off to get help. By the time help arrived, so had our taxi, and it was time to go. Now what if we had been about to order 8 glasses of their finest 3000-year old brandy at 50 quid a pop??
My husband (who wanted a special treat for his 40th) was not happy. The "manager", and I use this term VERY loosely, removed the service charge from the bill, although she made it perfectly clear that she felt there was absolutely nothing wrong with the service.
No, nothing wrong at all, if you find yourself in the nearest Beefeater, Harvester, or bar of your local pub -- but in a restaurant like this, you just do not expect this woeful level of service and incompetence.
We will certainly not be returning to Watsons at any point.
Review by Len on 14th October, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 14/10/2006
We went to Watsons for the fourth time this year today (14/10/2006), taking a la carte lunch for our family of four. Sad to say that it's unlikely we'll be going back due to the unacceptably poor service received today.
Never mind that we weren't asked if all was well with our food, when we did point out that the egg on the smoked haddock dish was dangerously undercooked, we received not a word of apology from the service staff or any feedback from the kitchen.
Of course, the full bill arrived, including the 10% 'optional' service charge.
There's a lot of chat about whether Leicester is ready for finer dining (remember Entropy?). We think it is, but if the restaurant wants to bill £141 for four (without wine) then the staff and kitchen need to react to legitimate issues raised by its diners.
By the way, what's going on with the ladies facilities? Looks like something from CBBC!
Anyway, our summary:
Food - Good 4/5
Service - Try Mario's Chippy 1/5
Value - Borderline acceptable 3/5
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