London diners rate poor service as biggest bugbear

The end of the restaurant bonanza of recent years could provide the ideal opportunity for London restaurants to put their house in order, according to a guide to eating out in the capital.

"The restaurant sector was becoming overheated, causing standards to slip and traces of complacency to appear," said Mark de Wesselow, editor of Square Meal 1999, published this week. "The economic slowdown may provide a welcome opportunity for restaurants to put their house in order and iron out some of the annoying glitches that have appeared."

Respondents to the guide's survey, who all dine out on business, again cited poor service as their biggest bugbear. Service problems were the subject of 38% of complaints, while food accounted for 22%. Overpriced menus attracted criticism from one in 10.

Restaurant managers said that bookings were coming in much later than last year and last-minute cancellations were harder to fill. Industry suppliers said their sales figures showed trade was down at lunchtimes and at the beginning of the week.

Despite slowing demand, competition was intensifying, added de Wesselow. In the City alone, new restaurant openings had added 1,000 new seats since August.

Most popular restaurant among readers was the Square, in Mayfair.

Top five complaints

Slow service: 15.5%

Overpriced food: 11.0%

Rude/snooty staff: 8.4%

Cramped tables: 8.4%

Décor: 7.7%