To think 1.5 hours in a restaurant for 12 people is not long enough

[Darkdarknightinthedarkdarkstaircase]

We went to Zizi last night four our Christmas work meal. When we arrived at 7pm we were told we only had the table until 8.30pm as they were booked back to back. We were NOT told this on booking and it also was not mentioned on the confirmation email.

By the time everyone had greeted each other and sat down, it was 7.10pm. When the waitress came to take our orders she kept looking at her watch and we were reminded and rushed through the whole meal. We didn't have time for puddings and at 8.30pm we were literally asked to leave as people were waiting outside for the table!

I couldn't believe it. It felt like a rushed school canteen, not a relaxing evening meal.

AIBU that it is not acceptable to think 1.5 hours is enough time for 12 people to order, eat and chat and enjoy a relaxing meal out?

Such a let down.

Yes!

The double zz in Zizzi is surely pronounced as in pizza to avoid that confusion?!

Yes!

The zz in Zizzi is surely pronounced as in pizza to avoid that confusion?

If you had pre ordered your food so they could have your food put quickly, then 1.5 hours is OK. But, for 12 people ordering then no, you are absolutely not being unreasonable!

Pure greed on zizis behalf. Complain. Name and shame

1.5 is pretty standard but I do think for large parties/ Xmas meals it should be longer

I would have took my sweet time and ordered pudding!

We were once told that they needed our table back when we were just finishing our main meal. The look on the face of the maitre D when we explained we’d already ordered our dessert and another drink and we were still waiting for the items to arrive. No heads up and we were only a table of 3. I was ready for whatever was to come but they didn’t come back to move us on. They knew better.

What, the 'zz' as in 'ditsy?' So Zitsy??

Unless I had been told at the time of booking, I wouldn't pander to this. They can't physically eject you. Leave when you're ready.

I was once at a work meal - not Christmas, someone's retirement - when they gave us a two hour limit (about 30 people). Specified at time of booking so OK with that.

Funnily enough the two hour limit was never mentioned again once our extremely generous and wealthy boss started ordering ££££ wine and spirits for everyone😃

We were there till midnight.

I had a work’s Christmas meal recently. Bog standard place, but v nice. Took 3.5 hours for three courses. Plenty of time for catch ups and chatting. I’d would have been disappointed in your situation.

Definitely not long enough. I was out with a party of 10 this week and it was 2.5 hours, and that was with food pre-ordered. I hope you didn’t pay a service charge.

No she didn't say that at all. And it wasn't enough time, she literally says they didn't get to order deserts

I’ve worked a lot in hospitality and an hour and half is definitely not long enough for a party of 12 for a celebration (Christmas) Most large groups take a while to get their orders together as there’s lots of chat, 3 courses take a while when there’s a large order, plus drinks and maybe coffee after. I would not book anywhere that said I only had 90 mins (I appreciate you weren’t made aware of this) I’d definitely complain.

I would complain that you weren't told there was a time limit when you booked & were only told when you arrived. That isn't long enough for 12 people & def not for a social gathering to relax & enjoy a meal without hurrying it. When you complain mention that you didn't have time to have a dessert which you all would have liked & ask how they will compensate you.

i used to work at Zizzis years ago, and other restaurants too. 1.5 hours would be given for a table of 2 or 4 but certainly not for a table of 12. You should’ve been given 3 hours.

It’s Xmas and it’s Zizi, what were you expecting? Restaurants need to make as much money as they can over Xmas in order to stay open in this current climate. When you book always say you want your table for the evening.

Why would you do that if you didn't know there was a time limit

Surely whoever organised it would have asked.

Not unreasonable. It should be on their booking forms and for a large table they should have done a preorder. So food can start getting prepped straight away. Raise a complaint and you’ll probably get a gift voucher! Not helpful after the event.

plus it’s not 90 mins as they need time to clear the table and get it ready for next group

... not mentioned at all, and nothing on the confirmation email at all. We wouldn't have gone there had we known

Yes, and doubtless they factored a reduction in bookings in when choosing not to tell you

As so many have said, make sure you leave an honest review

£130 + a head ? What on earth did you order ? The only
fothergills I know is a cheap ish chain , I just be missing something ??

90 minutes may be acceptable for a party of 2 or 4 but larger parties always take longer. This is very well known in the hospitality industry and is why some restaurants will charge more for big bookings.

I dislike the practice of limiting time at the table generally, without any option to increase the time. I often end up booking a table for dinner and one for the bar area afterwards when meeting friends as we don't want to be turfed out before we've had a good catchup. They were very unreasonable to move you on without dessert without even warning you about the tight time limit so I would definitely complain if I were you.

Even if it was just two of us 90 minutes is not enough time. If I was ever given a time slot shorter than 3 hours I wouldn't take it and go elsewhere.