It is a year or so since last we visited Paul's. The food has not changed significantly. It is old-fashioned seafood. Nothing gourmet or fancy. Just plain.
We went there, five of us, as a birthday request and were pleased when told that a bounty of fresh oysters was prompting the chef to offer 14 in the dozen. We ordered them. They were OK.
I ordered grilled prawns which came with wedges of fired potato under them and some coarse leaf salad on the side. The tomato was rock hard and the salad veg tough.The prawns were overcooked. But it was edible. One of the party had a mixed platter and, indeed, the calamari was exquisite. Another had fried calamari which was tender. Child had a child serve schnitzel. Not great cuisine and not cheap, either.
The issue of the night emerged when I escorted my granddaughter to the toilet in the upstairs area where we were dining. Emerging from the facility, I looked out across the floor to see if the food was being served, not seeing that there was a step in front of me. I took a very hard and long fall onto the hard floor. below The brunt of impact was taken by my upper thigh just below the hip, and some on a knee. I was able to get up, remarkably. And to be back at the table in time for the serving of the food. I mentioned I had had a nasty fall and ordered a glass of wine to steady my nerves. Lovely NZ Savvy, by the way. The wine was brought promptly. The mains were consumed, albeit everyone was a bit stressed at having seen me hit the floor. Apparently it was quite a hefty sound.
The weird thing was that, when my husband went down to pay the bill, he asked to speak to the manager and told her of my accident, reporting that the step from which I had fallen was very poorly marked and should really have a bright safety tape to make it stand out - and/or there should be a "mind the step" sign somewhere, since there were a lot of visual distractions up there and that was a reason I had not seen the step.
No rancour or anything. Apparently the manager told him that she was intending to do something about that step and would do so tomorrow.
I was not part of that conversation. I was still upstairs finishing my glass of wine.
What struck me as odd was that no one from the staff came up and spoke to me, asked me how I was or made any pleasant or sympathetic gesture. I was just ignored. It sort of added insult to injury.
I was able to walk out of the restaurant - and I don't think I will walk back. read more