The Alex in Tower Hamlets

Popped in with friends for an impromptu Sunday lunch, one word, WOW, the beef was sublime large sized portions very good price served with more veg than we could eat. The setting was quaint and a little eclectic highly recommended.

Went for a late lunch to The Alex as we like the chilled out atmosphere and the food is not bad either. We tend to use the taste card and usually tell them this little nugget of info before we book. However this time my husband forgot when we booked at short notice and when we arrived and advised them we were told that they could not accept the card before 4pm. I proceeded to ask whether it was acceptable to use the card if we stayed past 4pm and ordered food in the meantime and was advised that should be ok. When it came to paying we had to remind them again and this young waitrss who organised the bill for us asked if we knew at all how the taste card works and to advise them next time that we hold such a card when we are booking...to say that her tone was rude and condescending was an understatement and snatching my credit card out of my hand hissing for me to put my number into the pad was not acceptable. The establishment needs to make sure they employ people who understand customer service especially if people keep coming back which quite frankly won't be happening for quite a while now. Attitudes like these cost whoever runs the place their customers so "well done" to the young but somewhat inexperienced and customer-unfriendly woman. While we appreciated the food and the surroundings and the fact that they accepted our taste card after all, the staff should try and show this in a manner that does not come across as begrudgingly so....

Last minute decision to go out to eat. Bar staff very friendly, good advice on different lagers. Two of us went for the two for £20 plus drink. Excellent size portions. Well cooked. Served after just about the right time. Can't fault it.