Restaurant hits back at scathing review left by diners who did not eat there
A restaurant owner has hit back at a scathing TripAdvisor review from a couple who rated it as "terrible," despite not eating there.
Nadine and Simon Morriss, who run The Buoy and Oyster at Margate in the UK, received the one-star review in September, titled 'Empty... But asking for reservation?'
The reviewer, tinkerbell_pt, said she had showed up for lunch at 12.30pm and was told there were no tables available.
"The waiter gave us a 'uh' attitude and whilst they checked their book we looked around and more than half of the restaurant was empty," she wrote.
"We got turned away with a 'sorry no tables available only one outside at 14h.. excuse'."
The following day, the restaurant owners penned a lengthy response, saying the review was "simply unfair."
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"You are not 'advising' future diners about your experience of our restaurant," the response read.
"You have simply vented your anger and tried to get revenge for us not having a table available for you immediately when you have strolled in on a busy, sunny weekend without a reservation."
The owners explained they were already 50 per cent full half an hour into service and had 80 more booked in.
"Our trained and experienced restaurant staff do not expect to have to explain what we mean by 'sorry we do not have a table available until 2pm' to customers who have not booked," they wrote.
"FYI we had lots of lovely customers book in for later tables, go off for a walk on the beach and a drink and return an hour later for an enjoyable lunch.
"Sorry that you felt the need to rate your experience as "terrible" and we hope that leaving this review made you feel better!"
A TripAdvisor spokesperson said businesses have the right to reply to customer reviews, Metro reported.
"In this particular situation, we are encouraged to see that the owner of this restaurant has taken the opportunity to put their side of events across for all potential customers to read and consider, ultimately giving the business owner the last word," the spokesperson said.
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