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Topic ID 2702

20/04/2007 by newgirl

Serendipity

I've just waited 40 minutes for an "eat-in" sandwich in Serendipity which I had to gobble down before my hour's parking ticket ran out. This was after waiting 10 minutes in a queue of only three to have my order taken. I was told 20 minutes which I thought was bad enough and this seems to be the minimum lunch time wait for the last few weeks. Are they a victim of their own success? That's the last lunch time I'll be spending in there - much as I love the food [V]


Replies

Reply ID 38880

20/04/2007 by Tigger

It's a double edged sword. Good that it is freshly made, bad the wait. Had they got the unit next door would that have improved it? They are popular so must have it right.


Reply ID 38881

20/04/2007 by Ewoowar

quote:
Originally posted by newgirl
I've just waited 40 minutes for an "eat-in" sandwich in Serendipity which I had to gobble down before my hour's parking ticket ran out. This was after waiting 10 minutes in a queue of only three to have my order taken. I was told 20 minutes which I thought was bad enough and this seems to be the minimum lunch time wait for the last few weeks. Are they a victim of their own success? That's the last lunch time I'll be spending in there - much as I love the food [V]
serendipity The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.


Reply ID 38882

20/04/2007 by newgirl

Exactly - like today when I looked at my watch and realised I would have to leave the salad if I wanted to avoid a parking ticket. What a lucky thing I looked at my watch just then......[^] Quite serendipitous !!!!


Reply ID 38883

20/04/2007 by azzza

Next time, ask for half a sandwich, then you'll have time to eat your salad before having to get back to the car. That way, you'll be healthier, financially better off and won't get indigestion.


Reply ID 38888

20/04/2007 by Leo Densian

quote:
Originally posted by newgirl
I've just waited 40 minutes for an "eat-in" sandwich in Serendipity which I had to gobble down before my hour's parking ticket ran out. This was after waiting 10 minutes in a queue of only three to have my order taken. I was told 20 minutes which I thought was bad enough and this seems to be the minimum lunch time wait for the last few weeks. Are they a victim of their own success? That's the last lunch time I'll be spending in there - much as I love the food [V]
Clearly not a unique experience - my wife and her colleagues had exactly the same this lunchtime and ending up bolting the food down whilst legging it back to work.


Reply ID 38890

20/04/2007 by James007

quote:
Originally posted by newgirl
I've just waited 40 minutes for an "eat-in" sandwich in Serendipity which I had to gobble down before my hour's parking ticket ran out. This was after waiting 10 minutes in a queue of only three to have my order taken. I was told 20 minutes which I thought was bad enough and this seems to be the minimum lunch time wait for the last few weeks. Are they a victim of their own success? That's the last lunch time I'll be spending in there - much as I love the food [V]
I amazed that you even go there when there are other eateries in town such as Doorsteps, Rose cafe or The Glasshouse. Time on your side, why would you ever contemplate waiting over half an hour for some lunch grub? Far too long based on the seating.


Reply ID 38904

21/04/2007 by Hugh

Why not make your own and eat it in the castle grounds, much cheaper, so much quicker, and a very picturesque setting.


Reply ID 38906

21/04/2007 by Mr P

quote:
Originally posted by Hugh
Why not make your own and eat it in the castle grounds, much cheaper, so much quicker, and a very picturesque setting.
and very beautiful weather at the moment, perfect for a picnic lunch.


Reply ID 38907

21/04/2007 by Muddy

Mrs Muddy & I go into Serendipity most Saturdays for a cappuchino & one of their lovely cakes. One Saturday recently, when it was really busy in there, the coffee was cold by the time it reached us. Rather than bleat about it on this forum, we sent the coffee back for 2 hot ones. Ever since then, the coffee has been the correct temperature. People will occasionally experience bad service in cafes, but as long as it's put right on the day, that's good service. Yes they do take a while in there, but we think it's worth the wait.


Reply ID 38914

21/04/2007 by GillP

You could always ask for it take-away.


Reply ID 39013

23/04/2007 by thefair1973

My girlfriend had the same experience on Friday too. I wasn't overly impressed with the food when I went last time, so not sure what her obsession with the place is. She took a friend their for lunch on Friday and had to wait over 30 minutes for two panini's. I'm not claiming to be any expert or something, but I reckon I could knock up quite a few panini's in 30 minutes, so I can't really see any valid explaination as to why the wait is so long. Maybe they only have one sandwich grill, which may explain it


Reply ID 39040

24/04/2007 by Dude

I stopped going there they were so slow (and a bit pricey compared to everywhere else). They seem to have more staff that they know what to do with, but no real system to cope with busy times. Try the one by the bus stop, much quicker and just as fresh.


Reply ID 39058

24/04/2007 by Ewoowar

I went to Serendipity on Saturday. Yes, they can sometimes provide a slow service but the range of food is vast and is of good quality. On Saturday I noted that they were informing customers if they thought there would be a wait for the food.


Reply ID 39403

01/05/2007 by MATTHEW

has anyone used their outside catering service? any good experiences?


Reply ID 50749

18/03/2008 by Rooster

Had lunch here today. (Dobbin refused point blank to use Starbucks) Superb food, with courteous service. The place was packed with a queue forming. Looked next door, and it was almost empty. Oh dear!


Reply ID 50753

19/03/2008 by Dude

quote:
Originally posted by Rooster
Had lunch here today. (Dobbin refused point blank to use Starbucks) Superb food, with courteous service. The place was packed with a queue forming. Looked next door, and it was almost empty. Oh dear!
Have they sped up their service?


Reply ID 50761

19/03/2008 by DCI monkfish

It's easy to look busy if you don't serve anyone [8D]


Reply ID 50785

20/03/2008 by Rooster

quote:
Originally posted by Dude
quote:
Originally posted by Rooster
Had lunch here today. (Dobbin refused point blank to use Starbucks) Superb food, with courteous service. The place was packed with a queue forming. Looked next door, and it was almost empty. Oh dear!
Have they sped up their service?
Coffee was served within five minutes and the food was out in ten/twelve. There were about four or five people preparing and serving the food so it didn't take long at all.


Reply ID 50821

22/03/2008 by 2929paul

I've eaten here a couple of times recently and the food has been great, the coffee and tea better than Starbucks (not saying much) and the service superb. Drinks come in a couple of minutes, food certainly within ten - and that has been at lunchtimes, with decent numbers there. Serendipity should not fear Starbucks because their food is so much better. I wouldn't go to Starbucks to eat (I wouldn't go there fo a coffe, I much prefer Nero's) but then I wouldn't really go to Serendipity if a coffe was the only thing on my mind. It's a sandwich shop/cafe rather than a coffee shop.


19 replies