Evicted from table half way through a meal?

[Sagacity]

Took DH and DD out for lunch at a new local restaurant. We went at opening time having booked a table the previous day. We were first there and were asked to choose any table we liked, so we chose one in the middle. Restaurant was pretty quiet, only two other sets of diners came in. Anyway half way through our meal the owner asked us to move to another table as some other people had booked this table. To prevent causing a scene we moved but now I'm fuming to have been treated so badly. There wasn't anything that special about our table.

[Primafacie]

I would have refused.

[ShatnersBassoon]

A mistake was made. They didn't do it to annoy you, and presumably you shifted to another table and were able to finish your meals.

Did the owner apologise for the inconvenience?

[TamerB]

I would be perfectly amenable to changing, but not half way through the meal!

[TamerB]

I should hope they gave you a free pudding or drink or something for inconvenience.

[winterlace]

I do think that isn't on when people are actually eating! That said I'd probably assume some poor waitress just made a mistake so would be eye rolling but ok with it!

[SauvignonBlanche]

Did you see the other diners who had booked your table? Did they need that table for any particular reason, such as wheelchair access?

[YoureBeingASillyBilly]

Evicted? No, you werent evicted. Dont be so over dramatic. You could have declined the invitation to move. You didnt- you chose to move.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

For me, it would depend how it was handled - if they were apologetic, and explained why they needed that table (and maybe offered desserts for free, or something) I would move. I don't think YABU to be miffed by this, though.

[Nanny0gg]

Was there anything special about the table? Because if the restaurant is new, who would know to book a 'specific' one?

I hope you were compensated otherwise a strong email would be being sent if that were me. And if ignored, a strong review on FB or Tripadvisor.

[Helpyourself]

I'd cut them some slack of they're brand new. Bite your tongue and don't trash talk them- businesses can fail due to bad publicity in the early days. If they didn't offer you a free pudding or reduction and you liked their food, perhaps email or write describing your experience in the hope of getting a free meal or vouchers.
But on balance I think as they're new and not a chain and the mistake was one of organisation rather than rudeness or grossness, I'd let it go.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

It sounds annoying but 'evicted' is putting it a bit strongly. I thought you were going to say you didn't get to eat the rest of your meal!

[Pagwatch]

You were nicer than me. I woudn't have moved. Actually there is every chance I couldn't have moved so that would have been interesting

Email them and ask them if that is how they intend generally to treat customers. See what they say.

[Pagwatch]

Well it could mean that after 20 minutes I would need to be carried out after an excess of food and alcohol...

It's actually DS2. ASD/OCD stuff - once he has sat down he can't change places.
I once booked really crap seats (front row and to the side) at the cinema but, as it was the worst film ever made, we were literally the only people in there. He still couldn't move - even to much better and more comfy seats

[Pagwatch]

Noooo, don't apologise.
Could easily be the first...

[tethersend]

I would have obliged but only once they had knocked a satisfactory amount off the bill.

We went for an awful meal on Saturday, and ended up having all six people's meals for free.

I can't understand how people put up with shoddy service without complaining.

[WorraLiberty]

Evicted? No, you werent evicted. Dont be so over dramatic. You could have declined the invitation to move. You didnt- you chose to move.

This ^^

Or did a bailiff turn up with a police officer?

[Topseyt]

I would have moved, but would have let them know I wasn't happy. Moving diners in a restaurant halfway through their meal seems unprofessional to me. I would have wanted a good discount from the bill, or a bottle of wine on the house, something like that.

[deakymom]

to be moved in the middle of a meal is unprofessional of them ive worked in restaurants before and they should have asked the other people to take a better table and offered free drinks really if it can't be a significant table as they have just opened and if the place is practically empty why ask you to move?? its a bit fussy moving customers leaning tables just to accommodate someone?

personally im ocd about seats i don't like sitting on a seat a stranger has just go off its warm and sweaty to me (what if they have gas?) but as i said its a behaviour thing with me plus if they moved my son he would make everyone know about it as he has a problem with his mouth it won't stop MOVING and QUESTIONING (he has just began talking in his sleep)

good job it was you not me xx

[RamblingRosieLee]

of course its ridiculous, go back there and complain and say you moved at the time but thinking about it you find it ridiculous.
cant believe anyone would think this was OK half way through a meal.


its like Fawlty towers.

[WooWooOwl]

If you moved without protesting at the time I don't think you can complain now.

You should have agreed to move providing your meal was free, or said no.

If they didn't offer some kind of compensation, then they deserve to be named and shamed to everyone you know.

[Supercosy]

You may well be being a bit overdramatic but that is really rude of them. I would only accept that behaviour if they apologised prefusely and offered something free as recompense. I don't blame you for being annoyed.