Review by Oliver Lucas on 29th August, 2008

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I visited to the Salt House today. Went to the bar. Ordered a burger and a coke. I said I'd pay up front. When I came to pay I saw on the computer screen that a 12.5% service charge of £1.50 had been added. Even though I had gone to the bar, placed the order myself and offered to pay there and then. I should also mention that this was not something they were going to mention had I not seen it on screen. I politely asked if this could be removed. My request was greeted by the following reply: “I’m a barman. My job is to serve drinks, therefore my bringing you food from the kitchen constitutes service.” I then asked the barman (not waiter you understand) if he seriously considered taking a burger from the kitchen to a seat outside, a distance of no more than 5 metres and a time of less than one minute, to be worth £1.50 he answered: “Deadly serious.” Paying for service is at the discretion of the paying customer, not at the instance of the provider. It is not compulsory and should not be applied as such. For anyone considering going to the Salt House be prepared for poor service with an attitude which you will then have to pay for.

Date visited: 29/08/08