All Bar One, Oxford

[PhyllisDoris]

Walked out if there lunchtime today, without paying for starter.
They took 15mins to bring starter, and another 10 to bring cutlery. After a further 25 mins we enquired about our mains, and were told they would be another 25 mins because restaurant was busy.
We pointed out that when we arrived only two tables were taken, so after waiter enquired again, estimate was reduced to 10mins.
Food didn't arrive, so we told waiter we were leaving and weren't prepared to pay for starter (it was only bread and houmus).
AIBU to think that if restaurants can't cope with the number if people they allow in, then they should reduce the number if tables? "I'm sorry we're busy" isn't an excuse - it was lunchtime. They must have the same number if people every lunchtime.

Yabu - if you ate the starter you should have paid for it.

Clearly too busy to see you leave too. I'd have done the same (and have).

15 minutes isn't that long to wait for a starter, and you ate it, and you don't need cutlery for bread and hummus, so YABU.

YABU for going to all bar one for lunch in Oxford anyway, there are millions of better places nearby.

YABU to have gone to All Bar One for food when there are so many nicer places in Oxford.

But YANBU to leave. Though I would have left the money for the food I had eaten.

Valid point - I'm from oxford and everyone is right. Yabvvvvvvu there are loads of better places in oxford to eat.

We didn't leave without telling the manager we were leaving, because the waiter said a) he'd have to call the police if we refused to pay and b) he said the money would get taken out of his wages if we didn't pay. The delay clearly wasn't his fault, so we asked the manager not to dock his wages. She was sympathetic and agreed we shouldn't pay. I just don't think the busy excuse was good enough.
Where should we go for lunch next time? (Not from Oxford)

I'm from Oxford and prefer places outside of Oxford for lunch, but browns is ok, quids is better, the old Parsonage even better and Gees is loveley

Quods, not quids! Damn iPhone

YANBU.

You weren't sly or sneaky, but their service sounds shocking.

Thanks Beaver - will try one if those if there's a next time. It's a convenient place to meet my sister and do a bit of shopping.
Squoosh - thanks

It is a great place for a potter.

And I do love a potter.

Perfect time for me in Oxford is early October. All the tourists have left and the universities are late starters and so there is a good few weeks of peace and stress less pottering. Love it.

Stil prefer Oxford to London any day

A few I like:

Any of the eateries in the Covered Market.
The Nosebag on St Michael St. (though avoid the lasagne - was horrid)
The coffee shop in Blackwells
Edamame on Holywell St (Japanese)
Gourmet Burger Kitchen on George St
Jamie's Italian on George St
The Rose at the bottom of High St
Even the Mitre - which is a Beefeater, but in great surroundings.

YANBU

I am very happy to tip when service is good, but I also don't expect to put up with really shoddy service (which this sounds like).

Quite frankly I think you did the right thing - you spoke to the manager so its not like you did a runner without paying.

I would have done the same.

Pierre Victoire on Little Clarendon Street.

My department used to go there sometimes as it was close to work. They forgot my order and I was pregnant and in a hunger rage. It arrived when everyone else had finished and our lunch break was over. It was a raw / burnt combo (hallomi so not actually dangerous, just inedible) so I told them I wasn't paying.

I miss Gees .

The Turl Street Kitchen.
The Vaults Cafe in St Mary's University Church.

And service at Quod's is normally quite efficient at lunchtime.

If even the manager agreed YWNBU, YWNBU!

Ok you didn't say the manager agreed it, then of course YWNBU and YABsilly for asking.

Yes to all of the above posts about better places to eat, especially all of the covered market places. Is Peppers burger joint still there? Happy memories of Pierre Victoire set lunches

I love Oxford

All Souls, definitely, or Christ Church. New College if you must, but the fellows there are a smug lot and that spoils my appetite.

To add to the suggestions (am also Oxford resident)

The Big Bang has just reopened in the Castle Quarter
Atomic Burger on Cowley Road
Jam Factory near the station

Noooo to the Mitre... we met some people there (not our choice) and it nearly three blummin hours. (put three hours on the car expecting to do a bit of shopping as well and only just made it back). It took them so long to bring the bill I said we were walking out.

Noticed a couple not even get a menu for over an hour... I dont know why they didnt walk

Loads if places to try next time. Thanks everybody.

Well they allowed you to leave, as you stated you would, without paying, so I think YABU to name and shame like this.

YANBU the service sounds poor

Kazbar in Cowley is fab but a 15 min walk from the centre. A nice walk though and out of the way of tourists.