The Cafe Grill

Ok...now I'm going to be as diplomatic as I can be here as I feel like everyone is entitled to have a bad day now and then but when I say I have never felt so unwelcome in a food establishment I would not be over-exaggerating one bit. I found the Gentleman who I assume is the boss or perhaps the owner to be both rude and unhelpful.

I don't live in the area but work there so do frequent Sevenoaks regularly and hear great things about this little cafe so I thought I would give it a go. The venue is indeed clean and the food is fair (it's no top breakfast!)

Firstly it is disappointing that this is a cash only venue, I only had under £10 in change on me and had no idea where the nearest cash point was nor did I have time to find one. I entered and proceeded to look at the menu on the table. There are no descriptions of the meals on said menu just a small and not so clear photo next to a dish name. I asked the Gentleman what was in the "All Day Breakfast" to which he pointed at the picture and said "it is what's on the picture!" and proceeded to hurriedly list the items as he walked away from my table. There was a waiter who was bussing tables and serving who was extremely helpful and attentive, he mentioned that there were specials and additional items on posters on the walls. I managed to settle on an Early Riser Breakfast and asked for an additional sausage. The Gentleman either misheard me or failed to hear me well enough because his response to my order was "WHAT!" Not "pardon" or "sorry can you repeat that" I was quite taken a-back by this but nevertheless I repeated my order a little slower and clearer. My order came to £8.20. As I had mentioned earlier I literally only had just under a tenner in cash on me so when he proceeded to ask if I wanted any drinks with my meal I simply said "please bear with me, I just want to see if I have enough cash on me..." He huffed and then repeated "Do you want a drink or not?!" I didn't have enough cash for a drink so I said no thank you and sat down awaiting my meal.

Whilst waiting I observed this Gentleman bark orders at the waiter, such trivial things like "go and turn that menu up the right way" Overly checking orders that he had taken from customers as if he were incompetent. The Gentleman seemed frustrated at the young waiter in a way that made me feel incredibly sorry for him.

The young lad was very kind and chatty and in another conversation between just the two of us he mentioned that he was Autistic which just made me feel even more upset by the way the Gentleman was behaving with him.

I did not perceive the Gentleman to be rude to any of the other customers, so I can only assume that this was some kind of personal and thoroughly unwarranted distaste for my custom.

Once my meal came...which was average...I ate and promptly left after returning my plate to the counter.

Overall I felt awkward at the whole encounter and like my business was not welcome in this establishment which I found hugely disappointing as it had been so highly recommended.

Food 2/5
Overall experience I'm only sticking at a 2/5 because the service from young lad deserves some praise, if he hadn't have been there this wouldn't have even got 1 star!

This is an absolutely fantastic place to eat! The food is outstanding, the staff are so friendly and everywhere is spotlessly clean. 100% will be coming back regularly with my whole family. I’d give this more stars if I could!

Such a great place, been back two weeks running! Spotlessly clean, delicious food and friendly staff. Would highly recommend!

Just stopped here on a whim for lunch and had the most amazing cheese and ham omelette, very filling with lots of salad! Would definitely recommend!

A warm friendly cafe on a cold miserable day!
Lovely food and even lovelier staff. Nothing too much trouble and so welcoming. Very reasonable prices. Clean and bright. Will definitely choose to eat there again

This is my favourite place for good comfort food, super friendly service and you are guaranteed to get your food just the way you like it every time. My mum has been eating here for over 20 years now I join her :)

I love those family owned restaurant. All dishes are freshly made. Quick and good service!
I love lasagne while my daughter love icecream there. This is one of my favourite in Sevenoaks.

Absolutely fantastic, great potions for price, I'm an extremely picky eater and the jacket potato was phenomenal just like home cooked, lovely staff and speedy. Brilliant overall 🥰