Review by Laura Singer on 22nd February, 2007

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We were fortunate enough to win a £100 voucher for Simpson’s restaurant plus a free bottle of Champagne last November. Being romantics we saved this for a special occasion and visited the restaurant on Valentines evening. The reputation of Simpsons had led us to believe that we would have a truly magical evening and I had high expectations, which unfortunately were not lived up to. We arrived at the restaurant for 8.15 so that we could enjoy the Champagne before sitting down for our booking at 9pm. However, upon arriving we were quickly ushered into the dinning room for 8.30 where we were placed in the conservatory. The dinners from the sitting before us quickly vacated the room and we were left in an empty room for a good half an hour before any other dinners joined us. Although we had requested that we could ‘pause’ dinner until there was some ‘atmosphere’ in the room, we were promptly served our food and were on our main before anyone else was sat in the same room as us. During this quiet period we had to witness all of the tables being turned over, which was quite unsettling, and were neglected by the waiting staff to the point where we had to get up and pour our own wine. Our meal was finished by 9.30, and considering that we had had five courses, we felt as if we had been thoroughly rushed. By this point most other dinners in the room were still on their starter. I am sad to say that I feel completely cheated. I expected better from a restaurant which tries to promote such an upmarket reputation, and based on what we witnessed I feel completely mugged of the experience I had looked forward to for so long. We tried to explain upon leaving that the service had been poor, but were presented with thoroughly unsympathetic staff. Notes were taken by the restaurant manager, but no apologies were offered. I sent a complaints letter the following day, but over a week later I have still not received a response from the establishment. I would have happily paid any price for an enjoyable evening, but to have paid nearly £200 (on top of the voucher and Champagne) for a disappointing and unenjoyable evening is thoroughly disappointing. I am sad to say that I expected better.

Date visited: 14 February 2007