Gardens Caf?

[supergolden88]

Went there the other day at lunchtime only to be told that all 3 (!) highchairs were in use. So I walked back out again. Went with a friend yesterday and I have honestly never had such a rude service in my life. Friends had warned me in the past but I never came across it before.

And on top of that the food was awful (quiche that I can only assume was sitting around for a few days cut in slices so it gets nice and completely dry).

Will not be going there again - shame because the location and space are great.

[VALFR59]

Sorry for this bad experience.But I find quite often the service in East Dulwich shops not nice regards you can have in other aerea of London even in Central london, it's often better.

Just would like to know where is the location of this cafe ? I never heard of it before.

[Saffron]

Isn't that the old 'electrical shop' on Peckham Rye? I've only had good service there, but admittedly not been in a while. That's quite an oversight of them that they only have 3 highchairs!!

[Fuschia]

The staff were a bit snooty, the time I went in

[supergolden88]

I used to go there once or twice a week when baby was much younger. Service was very spotty - some of the staff perfectly nice some not so. I have seen waitresses roll the eyes when I walked in with crying baby and mouth 'sorry' to other patrons.

Had not been in really long time. Used to be wall to wall mums now was much more empty. And this one particular waitress was a real witch yesterday. Substitute 'b' for 'w'.

[snowboarder]

They didn't much like me and my toddler either - though he was trying to steal an entire chocolate cake. I only went as I thought they were child friendly and had a playroom....which I think they do but it was being used for yoga!!

[chantelle]

i agree the food is rubbish. I've only had the simplest things, like eggs on toast (hard to mess up, but they do, and i've tried at least 3x so not a one-off) and cakes (none of them very nice). i've had ok service, not great. I think they benefit solely from their location and the comfy vibe. I

[cuppa tea]

They're missing a huge and very obvious trick if they don't want families and kids in there!

Right next to the park in the middle of nappy valley!

[edanna]

I've had terrible, terrible service in there several times, not just slow but also appallingly rude and unsmiling and vowed never to go back, even though I really really want it to be good. I also suggested more highchairs the week they opened - clearly nobody paid any attention. If the owner reads this, observe in secret how some of your staff treat your customers and sack accordingly, then hire staff who like people, including children.

[Sunflower76]

I've found the staff very rude as well. Recently, I politely asked one of the staff to help me move my coffee and cake as I was changing to a different table, and she glared at me (so much that people nearby noticed!) - Bearing in mind, I had wriggling baby on my hip, and thought I wasn't asking the impossible.

Then she proceeded to move one cup - and left the cake and saucers on the table.

Don't think I left a tip that day!

[Pickle]

I went in one morning with my little girl, for a quick drink and snack before we went to pick up her brother from school. The place was almost empty, I went up to the counter to order and were told to sit down as it was table service. We sat down, 10 minutes later nobody had come to serve us, so we left as were starting to be pushed for time. There were two other tables of people, all sitting with empty plates in front of them, while the waitress stood round at the till examining her nails.

Not the best customer service I've ever come across! Such a lovely location and a fabulous airy building, it could do so well, but I walk past often and have noticed the number of customers dwindling.

[craigy]

I've only ever had coffee in there when baby was small, certainly would never feel comfy taking the 4 yr old in there, never really noticed the service tbh..

I always think the cakes look decidedly average and very overpriced hence have only tried them once- mine look tastier than that..

It's a shame as it is by far the largest cafe around.. Homemade on Barry Road has nice food, cake and coffee but no space- shame it's not the other way round..

[Ruth_Baldock]

I've never had a problem with them but my husband said they were appalling when he went in with our son- he was running about a bit and making a bit of noise (not crying just general happy toddler shrieking) and apparently a waitress just shut both of the doors to the playroom presumably so he wouldn't bother them (only my husband and one other person in the cafe). Such a shame, it's a fantastic space and so well located...

[Moos]

Blimey.

I've been in there loads with my baby (and with you, sg?) and have never had anything but friendly service. They can be slow and a bit dizzy though.

I have always found it chock full of kids, it seems quite baby friendly to me.

Why is it their fault if the highchairs are all busy?

[jollybaby]

I've never had a problem either. The waitresses have always seemed really tolerant of children - even when there was a toddler running up and down the length of the cafe and banging shut the door to the back room. I haven't been there quite so

Much lately - but that's mainly because I'm a bit bored of the menu.

[The Nappy Lady]

I've heard bad reports from others re service so haven't bothered to go myself. So sad as I really hoped it would be a great alternative to the park cafe which I'm not a great fan of.

I guess dwindling numbers of customers speak for themselves.

I will print this off & drop it round for the owner to see, must remember not everyone uses the EDF! One would think they will want to listen to feedback - no point just posting it here, we need to make sure they know & then judge them on how they respond.

[supergolden88]

The highchairs I don't care so much although I think it is very shortsighted to have a caf? that clearly attracts so many mum groups and only three highchairs (all used in the function room so none in main room).

But yes the service was shocking. It is one waitress in particular who I had not encountered before. I politely asked for some ice with my drink. She brought the drinks but ignored the ice request. I politely asked again and said I would really appreciate it only to be told very curtly 'the drink is really cold'. Hardly the point. Eventually she brought the ice and slammed the glass on the table then proceeded to give me the evil eye the entire time we were there. She was so pointently glaring that when I left another customer made a point of making a jokey remark about it. There were hardly any customers there so it's not like she was busy.

I have had friendly (but very slow) service from other waitresses in the past. I used to go there an awful lot but yesterday's bizarre episode really bothered me.

[edanna]

I think it's one waitress in particular who really specialises in dirty looks and treats customers like an inconvenience. Goodness knows why she's in that line of work. I had wondered if she was related to the owner because I couldn't see why else anyone would employ her.

[Moos]

Molly, I think that's a really good idea - and brave of you too, nice one.

[supergolden88]

I may have to go into witness protection but yes good idea lets hope it brings on some changes!

[Saffron]

> I will print this off & drop it round for the

> owner to see, must remember not everyone uses the

> EDF! One would think they will want to listen to

> feedback - no point just posting it here, we need

> to make sure they know & then judge them on how

> they respond.

Great idea!!

x

[jennyh]

I've been there loads and always found it ok, perhaps a bit slow at times but they've always seemed polite. They always bring me water to warm bottles too. My main gripe is overpriced cake!!! We've spoken to the owner on a few occasions and he's really pro parents and babies (he's often there with his own baby) I think he'd be very upset to hear everyone's comments so definitely worth raising with them as sure they would want to change!! He often asks questions about how to Market to the area and how to appeal to the locals so hopefully it will lead to improvements!!

[Dorothy]

How odd! I've been to this cafe twice (weekday lunchtimes). Have no complaints about the food or service, but haven't been back because on both occasions I've been the only person in there without a baby or toddler in tow. Both times I've eaten at this cafe I have sat next to a table of at least 8 NCT mums and babies. To me my impression of this cafe is that you only go there if you are with very small children.

[Vickster]

I am surprised by the comments re service as have never had anything but good service there. I was in there today with my baby (admit I have not been in there with toddler as well) and one waitress in particular was really friendly and helpful and made a huge fuss of my baby. I agree the food can be a bit hit and miss, but today the jacket potato and salad I had (granted not very exciting but can he crap) was lovely.

[Mathilda]

I'm surprised as well as go there most weeks in a group of mums and babies and have always had good service. Its a great space and always seems to be loads of kids in there!