A pre booked Christmas Lunch one would have thought at $115/head is something to look forward to.Not so.We took our overseas guests, who had flown in the morning of Dec 25th from halfway around the globe, and the children, for what we assumed to be a special occasion, to the beautiful Flaxton Gardens.
Sadly the pre-paid in full booking was totally unnecessary, as on arrival, we were ushered into a barn that was overcrowded and basic.The numerous waitresses had often no idea what we were talking about for example when we asked for a bottle of table water after we were left waiting almost an hour to place our order.
Four of the starters were served, one which was different to what was ordered, i.e. pumpkin soup but was actually supposed to be as per menu, roast vegetable soup with crusty bread, the bread was not served!nor was it the same soup as stated. Again the other two starters were requested and eventually delivered after the four of us had finished eating. Thus the other two then ate their cold starters by themselves.
The main course was served after our asking where it had got to, this was 1 and a 1/2 hrs later! we were corrected when we approached the management that it was not 2 hours later as we thought!
The traditional roast turkey was not at all traditional! After my asking why it tasted odd we were eventually informed by the manageress, ( the waitress that served us said she should not have been out there and had no idea how the turkey had been cooked!) that the turkey was cooked in a bag vacuum packed and then boiled, as they could not possibly roast so many turkeys! The 3 turkey slices were identical and all of even size on every plate, the vegetables were sparse, 2 potatoes(hard), 2 thin sprigs of broccoli, and a large sausage all stacked!
The presentation was non appetising.
The roast lamb was shredded and stacked served on mashed potatoes not rosti and no ratatouille!
We had 2 bottles of wine that no one offered an ice bucket for or served but they did make us aware of the corkage fee! (this was later waivered after we complained)
The bottle of water appeared on our table after asking a third time to please leave it on the table!
The deserts arrived far from satisfying and were cold, some hard, and all- tasteless! These were also different to the internet menu!
However, the most intriguing part of this whole disaster, was the fact that the menu was changed and printed on the day, after we had paid and booked after viewing a different menu on the internet! the traditional roast turkey was not roast at all!and far from traditional! The Christmas pudding was a sponge pudding with raisins; not a traditional Christmas pudding:the coffee and chocolates was just coffee!no chocolates!
At approximately 5pm we left the table disgusted and tried to approach the management with our issues only to be asked to leave our email address by the receptionist.
The whole day was ruined due to the restaurant's inefficiency and sub standard meals! Also different to what was stated on the internet.
After paying $690 for a Christmas Lunch we were left hungry, tired, disappointed and embarrassed!
I cannot understand that a restaurant that caters for weddings etc. is unable to serve the traditional Christmas dinner that is known throughout the world!
Perhaps Flaxton Gardens would like to refund the $690 after serving what should have been a traditional Christmas lunch and which turned out to be far from the case not to mention most disappointing!
This goes against the Consumer Bill of Rights from 1961 whereby we have the right to be informed of any changes: Bait and switch is a form of fraud used in retail sales...
I leave this in capable hands in the hope that this appalling service will be rectified justifiably.
Craig Brown, Christine Curtis and Guests read more
