Bad experience at Ben's Canteen "trendy but not for family"? Post Reply

[angleseb]

Wondering whether others had the same bad experience?

I went for lunch at Ben's Canteen on Sunday and was very disappointd to find this place as NON-child friendly as possible.

It is the policy NOT to allocate seats for children. So 2 adults + 2 kids on a single table, do they expect us to feel comfortable and welcomed, I wouldn't think so. When the food board is of the same vein, without any hint of child food or child portions, then, for eggs, burger and 2 salads on the menu, WHY BOTHER?
If only they had the honesty to sign-post it on the door: "NOT FOR FAMILY"

Thanksfully, we can still find lots of alternative around for families' Sunday lunch. Just sad that trendy places don't pay much attention... Unless it was a one-off?

[Pop]

I was impressed with them the one time I went. It was mid week but half term so quite busy with families. We were two adults, a toddler and baby in car seat and they went out of their way to put tables together and make a space big enough for us and car seat (there were smaller tables they could have crammed us on). Can't comment on lack of kids menu as we had hot chocolates and scones (which were some of the best scones I've had). I would go back based on our experience.

[Pud1]

Maybe its target market is adults?

[schoolgatesmum]

Does it advertise itself as child friendly? If not, I'm not sure it's very fair to post such a negative view. When my children were younger I'd always take a look at a restaurant/cafe and if it seemed to be more of a grown up place then we wouldn't take the children there. I'm not sure why everything has to be child friendly. As another poster said, maybe its target market is not people with children. There are plenty if other places to go which are child friendly - choose one of them.

[Sw11_123]

Bens canteen has always been a favourite of my family (3 under 5).. They have a great kids menu, blackboard and chalk for the kids to play with, basket of toys... Never had a problem there with my family.

Does get busy sometimes but they've always tried to accommodate us and I've never felt unwanted there.

Always mums with babies in there..

Think you caught them on a very rare off day... Definitely don't be put off!!

[Sw11_123]

I like this place so much, I felt I had to post a separate non negative review...

Great for an adults evening meal and for daytime family fun, my children especially love the fishfinger sandwiches.

[angleseb]

Thank you all for the replies.
Clearly I will not try again, but glad that it might have been a one-off.

(my personal favourite for families and always-kind-service: Pizza Metro Pizza)
Ciao

[Medway]

Does anyone else smell a rat?

[Jtheroux]

quite a naughty rat.......

[NYE31]

Another post for Annabel to investigate me thinks.....

I have been to Ben's & found it very children friendly, it was full of children when we went so I feel for anyone there without children

[LinsayS]

I absolutely disagree with this opinion of Ben's Canteen. I go there pretty much every day with my 3 year old and have done since it opened nearly three years ago. It is perfect for people with dogs and babies (I have one of each). There is a comprehensive kids menu and my daughter gets treated like a princess EVERY time we go. The staff are welcoming and virtually entertainers. The space is excellent and food outstanding for kids and adults alike. There is an array of toys and there is lots of space for buggies and various paraphernalia.

Ben's is a lively, local success story and extremely busy at weekends which is great! They have always tried to accomodate my family despite being rushed off their feet.

I honestly do not understand why someone can go to a busy, local restaurant and write such comments in a public forum. miserable.

[Jen66]

from what others have said it sounds like this place IS family friendly but - for some establishments - the mummy/baby market is a death sentence.

If I ran a café I have to say I would do all I could to keep the under 5s out. Their parents don't spend the big money and they deter those who will.

[Ruby]

This is not a fair reflection on a nice family friendly cool place to eat/drink:chill - with or without your brood.

We love Bens Canteen xxx

[Bee's Pantry]

I go here regularly and so do a number of other 'start-up' businesses as the staff are lovely, friendly and of course there is free wifi, they allow dogs and are just generally one of the best Cafes in town. The good news is they are opening a second one in Earlsfield - so yeh for a happy success story whose audience are varied enough to keep the business flush.

Oh and whenever I go there, there are always lots of mums with their babies/toddlers. The staff actively interact with the kids - I've seen kids paying for meals (clearly using their mother's cards/money) and there is never a tutting person in sight if this causes the cash register to slow up a little.

Great place ..!

[Bee's Pantry]

Oh and one last thing, they are so flexible that when I was eating with a friend who doesn't eat wheat, they popped over to Sainsbury to pick her up some Gluten Free Bread to go with her Brunch.

I think that's pretty great service.

Briony

Bee's Pantry
www.beespantry.com