Sue Ross
30/05/2024
*** update - called 16th of may by the area manager. Apologised for my experience and invited us back, but we have been busy with work and things going on, still unsure if we want to go back. He was nice and pleasant to chat with and said they are investigating what happened. Unsure if anything will come further about it.
***update 14th of may, I emailed my details through to the email given to me in their below response. No contact made as of yet
*** update 12th May 2024 - still no word. Obviously they don't care.
** updated 26th April. No word.
On April 22, 2024, my family and I decided to dine at The Vikings, a restaurant we've previously enjoyed. This visit, however, left us deeply disappointed, particularly with the new menu offerings.
Upon arrival, I was curious about the Burrata Caprese Salad and decided to give it a try. The presentation and quality were underwhelming:
Salad Composition: The dish was composed of a thin layer of lettuce, a few slices of two types of tomatoes, some cherry tomatoes, and a blob of what was supposed to be Burrata cheese. The cheese lacked flavor, and the tomatoes were overripe, making them mushy rather than fresh and juicy.
Additional Chicken: I opted to add chicken for an extra $5, expecting a reasonable addition to my salad. Unfortunately, it was merely one chicken tenderloin, sliced thinly across the dish. This did not seem to justify the additional cost.
Despite the lackluster meal, we finished our dinner and headed home. Shortly after, I began to feel extremely unwell. My stomach was upset, and I experienced severe cramping followed by vomiting. It was a rough night, to say the least.
Concerned about what might have caused my reaction, especially since I have an egg allergy, I called the restaurant the following day. I inquired if there could have been egg in the cheese, but after a brief check, the manager confirmed there was no egg. I explained that something must have been off with the salad then, given my severe reaction. The manager's response was dismissive; she suggested I visit a doctor to check if I'm allergic to something else, which I found quite rude. The ingredients in the salad were simple and familiar to me, and I've never had issues with any of them before.
When I asked for a refund, the manager refused because it was the day after our visit. Instead, she offered a $10 voucher. Considering my meal cost $26 and the distress it caused, this gesture felt insufficient. We've been loyal customers for about two years, even celebrating our daughter's birthday there last year. I declined the voucher, expressing that we would not be returning.
The decline in both the quality of food and the size of portions, despite steady prices, is disappointing. More so, the lack of empathy and poor customer service have left a lasting negative impression. It's unfortunate, as we had good memories associated with this place, but we will not be risking another visit. She took my name and number and said she will get back to me after she speaks to the chefs, but yet she's the manager.