Restaurant Visits
Rating system – 1 (needs improvement), 10 (excellent)
I have been visiting restaurants around where I live whilst I have been out and about with my PA. These reviews are my personal opinions from someone who is wheelchair dependant and how I found the restaurants accessibility and the service I received when I ate there. I do not believe in giving horrible comments, I only give positive criticism on how places can be improved to make sure areas are inclusive for everyone.
Nando’s Corner House, Nottingham
Accessibility – 5/10
The accessibility in Nando’s, Nottingham was a little bit difficult. This is because the restaurant is quite small and tight. To get into the building, there was a large heavy glass door, (luckily) I had two carers with me so one held the door open and the other pushed me in my manual chair. The entrance was narrow, and I had to be carefully manoeuvred around seated customers, so I didn’t knock them. We were seated in the corner, so we had a bit of room around us for my chair. This was really the only suitable table I could see in the restaurant for me. My carer went and ordered food and got the drinks, I would not have been able to get to the bar to order food or access the drinks machine or the sauces, it was just too narrow.
Service – 9/10
The service I received at the restaurant was very good, the staff were pleasant, and we had staff come to us to check everything was ok with our food and see if we needed anything. We staff were quick and efficient.
Chiquito’s, Mansfield
Accessibility – 9/10
It was pretty good access to get into the restaurant. There were 2 large glass doors, but these weren’t directly opposite each other, one opened outwards on the right of the doorway and the other opened outwards on the left of the doorway, this meant both had to be opened at the same time to get me in the restaurant. When we got inside, it was a little bit tight, I had to go to the left of the service desk, so we could speak to the waitress who took us to our table. The table we were given was spacious and it had enough room around the edge of the table for me to be positioned right up to the table, so I could eat my dinner unassisted. The restaurant was very spacious, the tables were far enough apart that it was easy to manoeuvre around. The restaurant was all on one level so I could access any table within the restaurant without getting stuck.
Service – 10/10
The service I received was excellent. The staff were all helpful and pleasant, nothing was too much trouble. The waitress came and we had already looked at the menu so we knew exactly what we wanted to order. The drinks came within a few minutes of ordering, and the food came not long after. A waitress came and asked if everything was ok with our food and checked if we were all ok. When paying, the waitress bought the card machine over to us so I didn’t have to move and once we had paid our bill we were thanked and they said good bye. Throughout our visit, the staff could not have been more helpful. I really appreciated the service I received.
Pizza Express, East Midlands Designer Outlet
Accessibility – 9.5/10
Getting into the restaurant was really easy, it was flat access and the doors were wide enough for me to get inside comfortably. Inside the restaurant, the tables were at a suitable height that I could get underneath to reach my dinner independently. I gave the restaurant 9.5 out of 10 because the only thing I would change about the area, is to make the space between the tables wider; every time a customer walked past me they knocked my chair, I received a lot of apologies from the staff for this, but a slight change to the layout would make a huge difference. Once inside the restaurant and seated, you don’t have to move away from the table as the waiter and waitresses come to the table to take your food and drinks orders. They also bring the bill to the table once you have finished your meal and then bring the card machine, so we didn’t have to manoeuvre around the tables and chairs.
Service – 9.5/10
The service I received in Pizza Express was nearly perfect! I was very impressed with the staff, they were quick to order drinks and food and then the food came shortly after. The food was beautiful and tasted yummy. We were asked serval times throughout the meal if we were ok and if we needed anything else. The staff were very aware that my chair handles were sticking out and the majority of staff either cautiously walked around me or took a different route to get to the kitchen. I have deducted half a point because it took a little while to get the bill and pay and people were waiting for tables. I have a lot of praise for the staff there as it was a very busy lunch time over school holidays and they did brill!
I will be doing more restaurant reviews soon so keep an eye out for the next one!
Myles x