L'Orange

Highlandlass · Post by **Highlandlass** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:43 pm

Had a dreadful meal at L'Orange last week, scallops that were practically raw (I was really ill through the night and am sure these were the culprit!), really tough monkfish, all the sauces were really salty and glutinous, and the service was dreadful(we booked for 8pm and did'nt get out until 11.45pm!! And it was only 2 courses!To top the lot, it was the most expensive meal of our holiday. Give me Elle and Ella or Maximes any time. Never again!

MaisieK · Post by **MaisieK** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:35 pm

I agree, have had the same experience.

Maisie

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:09 am

Do I detect a trend here?
Still I guess they will always have the "L'Orange, no matter what " brigade to support them. But I suspect that even that group is dwindling

laserblazer · Post by **laserblazer** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:25 am

Highlandlass, did you have a shock when you got on the scales after your holiday. Sounds like you spent the whole time noshing

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

roy4eyes · Post by **roy4eyes** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:26 am

L'Orange is our local restaurant and in 6 years we have never had a bad meal there.

Having said that, we have not been since May and standards can slip.

I shall make Jan aware of the recent comments but can only observe that the restaurant has been busy every time we pass (when some of the central restaurants are quiet), so not everyone can be unhappy.

Did the complainants say anything at the time ? I suspect not because not only Jan, but all the local restaurateurs, in my experience will bend over backwards to rectify problems either by offering an alternative or not charging for the offending item - BUT ONLY IF THEY ARE MADE AWARE AT THE TIME !!

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:11 pm

Hi Roy,
I agree, never had a bad meal at L'orange and Jan always does my favourite 'special' scalops in leek sauce, even though its not always on the menu.
Can't fault it

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:43 pm

I haven't been for a while but I'm with Tricks and Roy here. The meals I've had at L'Orange have always been good and ones that I've enjoyed.

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:25 pm

Obviously they have good and bad days??? Because those of us who have had bad meals there have had really bad ones with poor service. Have they got 2 seperate chefs....or are we discussing 2 restaurants in some sort of parallel universe here??

The reports are more contridictory here than for any other restaurant on the forum.

The question is WHY???

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:17 pm

Can't really help you there Bruce, except someone's meat is obviously someone else's poisson.
We have never had a poor meal there, and probably one of the best fish meals I have ever had was John Dory served with 2 sauces - one piquant and one creamy. Will admit that we miss Paulo, an excellent and attentive waiter, but the lovely Irina just about makes up for it.

Mike,Chislehurst · Post by **Mike,Chislehurst** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:25 pm

Maybe just maybe members are protecting the restaurant. It needs to reply to these comments, comments don't lie!

holiday1 · Post by **holiday1** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:31 pm

I've never been to l'orange but the contradictory reviews on this site stand out more than for any other. Out of interest, and as a completely independent observer, it does appear that those who frequent most often generally think it's wonderful.. now there is a degree of chicken and egg (if it was rubbish you wouldnt go often), but curious whether they perhaps pull the stops out for regulars?

roy4eyes · Post by **roy4eyes** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:48 pm

I spoke to Jan today and showed him the forum complaints (which he hadn't seen because he doesn't have internet access) and he said that in the past 3 weeks he has had only one complaint which was resolved to the customers satisfaction.

I ,for one, do not protect any local restaurateurs - when I go out I want good food, service and value for money and complain firmly when things are not right.

To the best of my knowledge there is no difference in quality of food and service between regulars or occasionals - we may occasionally get a bottle of wine on the house though

holiday1 · Post by **holiday1** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:53 pm

roy4eyes wrote:I spoke to Jan today and showed him the forum complaints (which he hadn't seen because he doesn't have internet access) and he said that in the past 3 weeks he has had only one complaint which was resolved to the customers satisfaction.

I ,for one, do not protect any local restaurateurs - when I go out I want good food, service and value for money and complain firmly when things are not right.

To the best of my knowledge the quality of food and service are no different for regulars or occasionals - we may occasionally get a bottle of wine on the house though

Lucky you

I must say I agree 100% with you about complaints. The best thing to do is complain, and allow them the opportunity to correct their mistakes, rather than quietly pay and walk away. I ate out in Manchester a couple of weeks ago, my food came wrong, then when they brought it again it was very cold. I complained and pointed out that my friends had now nearly finished their meal. The chef tested the temperature of my food with a meat thermometer to prove the point... then recooked my meal (i could see him at all times

).. when the bill came they charged me full price - i told them i was very surprised at this and discussed the problems, my meal was free and i will go there again- everyone has off days but when raised, they eventually brought me the right (delicious) meal, and the final cost reflected my inconvenience. If I had just paid and walked away I would probably have never returned

SAM SPARKLE · Post by **SAM SPARKLE** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:55 am

I believe all restaurants are required to have a complaints book, if you are not happy, then request the book!!!!!

fmm · Post by **fmm** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:37 pm

I have to say that I rarely complain in a restaurant. If they are not able to produce the food correctly then it is not up to me to tell them how to do it. They just do not get my custom again. As far as I am concerned, I don't want to make a poor situation worse by having unpleasantness with the waiter/chef. It would make my evening even worse and it is not my responsibility. There are plenty of other restaurants from which to choose.