Landers Bar & Restaurant, Gosport Reviews

Sspeed's Response to theqdeck1's Review

Written on: 23/07/2010

I too had a horrendous experience at Landers, in September 2009. Again, the Manager was "off site" and the Chef (!) was unavailable for comment. This precipitated a letter of complaint as follows.....
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<br/>"Dear Sir/Madam
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<br/>Yesterday I visited Landers with two friends, ex-work colleagues from the Royal Hospital Haslar, a small reunion which should have been a joyous occasion. The restaurant was empty and the bar occupied by few people. One waitress was covering both. We were told rather abruptly to wait, then after a few minutes were shown to a table and given menus.
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<br/>About half an hour later the food arrived - two servings of scampi, chips and peas, and one of Cajun chicken, chips and salad, plus a side order of garlic ciabatta. Not exactly Haute Cuisine, but simple to prepare dishes.
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<br/>We were rendered speechless at what was placed before us.
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<br/>The "peas" were mushy peas (which both recipients dislike). The Cajun chicken "breast" was a scraggy, burnt, damaged leg with a small piece of wing next to it. The chips - they looked as though they had been left over from the previous day and recooked. They were black. Not to be put off just by the appearance, we all tried one. They were cold. They were soggy. The only items which appeared edible were the salad and the scampi.
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<br/>We called the waitress and explained as politely as possible why we couldn't accept the meals and were sending them back. Her response was one of disbelief. She tried to excuse the state of the chips by saying they hadn't been de-starched (??) She was clearly agitated, and rude. Her exact words were,
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<br/>"What do you expect ME to do about it?" !!
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<br/>Feeling awkward I suggested we take another look at the menus.
<br/>We perused the menus again but had completely lost confidence in the chef and did not want to risk another confrontation with the surly waitress should a second, different meal prove inedible. We said that we would not be reordering. The drinks bill (2 soft drinks and a glass of water) was slapped down in front of us. We paid and left, very disappointed that our reunion had been spoiled in such a way.
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<br/>At no time during our exchange with the waitress, was any suggestion of an apology forthcoming.
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<br/>Landers prides itself on being "the perfect place to dine out in Hampshire", "one of Gosport's best restaurants", and of presenting "high quality food" and having a "friendly atmosphere". One this occasion, none of the above came anywhere near to being true.
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<br/>The bar and restaurant are tastefully furnished and the menu looks very promising. This is why we chose to visit Landers. Had it proved satisfactory we would have recommended it and made it a regular venue. This will not now be happening."
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<br/>I received no acknowledgement. BUT..............
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<br/>Landers is now under new Management. I recently spent a very pleasant afternoon there with my sister. The food was good and the service excellent. We enjoyed it so much I am taking one of my ex-colleagues back there today.
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