| Topic: | Chiswick House cafe | |
| Posted by: | Jim Sitch | |
| Date/Time: | 05/09/10 13:46:00 |
| Initial reports and general feedback by reviewers have been less than accurate. My experience again this morning of this supposed cafe is that much effort and a lot of cash has been spent on ensuring that the 'iconic' building is admired by minimalists afficianados. It should however be roundly criticised when discussing the purchase and enjoyment of light refreshment. The layout is appalling with customers needs being last on the interior designers agenda. The tills and counters are set at the back of a space more closely aligned to an Italian art gallery (complete with terraza tiling and ambient echo). What this means is that you cannot choose any cooked food until you get to the counter; if you do select a sandwich, crisps etc you stand in a tutting line for up to 25 minutes, clutching a tray (nowhere to rest it). When you are finally greeted by the very polite member of staff, it is often the case that they do not know the price or the time it may take to prepare hot food. The high prices (this being Chiswick) would be marginally more acceptable if you didn't have to spend so much time standing listening to other potential customers say 'this is rediculous etc etc..' before finally walking out. My estimate is that the Chiswick House cafe is 25% under profit levels on the basis that discerning customers in 2010 will simply not tolerate this shoddy business planning. I live in a road immediately adjacent to the grounds and I will be taking my own packed lunch into the park future - I simply have better things to do with my time. |