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What is 'following'?Café: North American
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Time Out says Rate it
'Recession? What recession?' was the message emanating from Automat this summer, and most particularly from the financially belligerent diners who continue to flood this still-fashionable Mayfair success story. The long premises are split into three distinct spaces: an unmemorable café-type room at the front; a handsome, quiet middle section designed to resemble a railway carriage (Pullman, not Transport for London); and the main space, a brash attempt at aping New York brasserie culture (white tiles, battered wood, deafening echo). The food is American comfort cooking, rendered competently, delivered swiftly and priced ridiculously. Highlights include a suitably gloopy if slightly under-salted macaroni and cheese, and decent ribeye steak; marks off for the apple pie, which tasted as if it had been microwaved. It's all devoured by a clientele that, on our visit, was a virtual library of Mayfair stereotypes: two unnaturally blonde debutantes leaving half their salads before ordering lattes with skimmed milk; various 40-plus financiers wearing well-pressed open-neck shirts and expensive haircuts; and, in the corner, Lily Allen. Neither the restaurant nor its prices will be to everyone's taste, but Automat succeeds on its own terms.
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Automat details
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What is 'following'?020 7499 3033
Breakfast served 7-11am Mon-Fri. Meals served noon-11.45pm Mon-Fri; 11am-11.45pm Sat; 10am-9.45pm Sun.
Main courses £13-£26.
Credit cards AmEx, MC, V
Facilities
Children admitted, Booking advisable, Disabled ( toilet ), Takeaway serviceAutomat map
Restaurants & cafés near Automat
See all restaurants near AutomatComments & ratings
Utterly Rude Manager - DO NOT GO!!! RUDE RUDE RUDE RUDE RUDE
I wished I had read these reviews before going. I went for a 730 reservation, found the food to be ok, nothing special, the service was a bit annoying, as they were rushing us a tiny bit, giving 2 minutes between asking for our order on two occasions.. but nothing to come home and write a scathing review about..
So the meal comes to an end and I pay.. We were lingering for a few minutes and about to leave when the manager came by our table to ask if she needed to attend to the bill, upon which I respond, "oh no, we have just paid".. She instantaneously said "then I have to ask you to leave as we have another group" in a dismissive tone. This somewhat irked me, if I said "no", she would have had to get our payment, however the moment she knew we had paid, she jumped to kick us off the table. Giving her the benefit of the doubt I mentioned two her two things, I wasn't informed or reminded (which is normally the case on entry to restaurants who give time slots) of the 2 hour slot (I didn't even realize it was 930), and that she came across as rudely kicking us off the table immediately.. Her chance to explain he rude comment, now you would think that she would apologies or something along those lines, however she started an argument with me, insisting she wasn't rude and started to say that I was wrong! She continued to talk over me and insist I was wrong and knew I had to leave at 930.. I have eaten at many good restaurants and have never been treated in such an utterly distasteful manner, it was unprofessional and just all out rude... I actually tried again in a very calm fashion to point out why she came across as being rude, mentioning that if she had gently and respectfully reminded us we would have kindly left as we were almost ready to leave anyway... She instead talked over me and raised her voice at me and continued an utterly ridiculous and rude argument, mentioning "its your word against mine".. OMG what a rude and clueless person..
SPEND YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE!! Half the reason why you go to a restaurant and spend significant amounts of money you expect good service... well not from this manager.. RUDE RUDE RUDE RUDE RUDE
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