Exeter
The Old Firehouse

The Old Firehouse

50 New North Road, EX4 4EP, Exeter, United Kingdom

Kebab • Seafood • Asiatic • European


"We have been coming to the old firehouse for over years. Usually have a great experience but not quite the same this time, with one member of staff [male, long hair beyond shoulder length] in particular taking profanities and other poor customer relation traits...to a level I’d not witnessed before. In the space of five minutes I witnessed a couple and two gentlemen receive abuse for standing near the bar hatch in his way when collecting glasses (clearly, they weren’t doing it on purpose). “Get out of the Fu way”, “are you fu stupid” were the first comments that attracted the spotlight. Then when a gentleman tried to apologise for causing an obstruction his response consisted of “don’t apologise, just get out of my fu way”. The nice lady in charge behind the bar did appear to have a word with him but it looked like it wasn’t the first time she’d had to deal with such complaints and appeared to make her very uncomfortable (understandable given how volatile he seemed). Appreciating that customers probably make this mistake frequently, the response was completely disproportionate and offensive and certainly undeserved. Like I’ve said, we normally have a great time in there but this experience is not something I’m keen to repeat any time soon. I really hope this kind of behaviour isn’t tolerated further. To the rest of the staff, I’m truly sorry I’ve had to award three stars as it would have been five. Pizzas and live music are still fantastic."

Dukes

Dukes

Market Pl, EX10 8AS, Exeter, United Kingdom

Pubs • Full • Steak • British


"My husband and I have stayed at Dukes for many years. It’s in the perfect spot, right on the sea front and we always treat ourselves to a room with a view! The food and service has always been good until our most recent visit in February. We booked a table on our first night for our anniversary and the second night we ate in the Conservatory. The first night was fab, good food, good atmosphere and friendly staff. However, on the second night we were left extremely disappointed. We’d checked with a member of staff what was the latest time to order food and were told 8:30pm. This gave us time to have a drink in the bar beforehand and unwind. At 8:00pm a different member of staff approached us for our food order. When we asked if we could wait until 8:30pm he was very disgruntled and rude. He wanted to know there and then if we were having starters and dessert. As we hadn’t even looked at a menu yet how were we supposed to know what we fancied and how full we’d be? So, declined a starter and dessert and literally went with the mains missed a sale there! Food was lovely as always but just as we finished eating the same guy came over and told us the bar was closing. This was approx 10:00pm. No one informed us that it was a reduced service, that they were closing early and that you won’t be able to relax and enjoy your evening because they all want to go home. The room rate doesn’t change throughout the year so why should the service. We were left feeling that we were nothing but an inconvenience and that our business wasn’t important. I would have thought given the current climate and the effect it’s having especially on hospitality that there would have been a bit more interest in your customer experience. Such a shame Dukes Team very disappointing experience."

Zita's

Zita's

Old Malthouse Bartholomew Street East, Exeter, United Kingdom, EX4 3BG

Pizza • British • American • Vegetarian


"Disclaimer: My son, Henry James is the chef at the new Zita 's Bar and Restaurant (has been for a month or so). I was finally able to check out Zita 's yesterday. There were three of us dining. My daughter and I were able to sample a new menu item freshly made tagliatelle with chicken and mushrooms. Yes, all freshly made. Garnished with rocket, the dish presented well and was light and flavoursome. The third member of our party had a burger, called 'The Usual Suspect '. Again, well presented as a stack and a well balanced dish. Whilst Zita 's takes pains to move away from the perception that it is a burger bar replacement (there have been burger bars on site previously), there still are burgers on the menu. The pricing of the dishes was reasonable and compare well with similar styled restaurants. I must repeat that the food is freshly made, not reheated frozen packages which one often finds in chain restaurants. In my opinion, Zita 's has taken a bold step in allowing a chef to showcase his talent, rather than going with the easy option of 'this is how the dish has to look, because every other restaurant in our chain does it this way '. Freshly made pizzas are also on the menu which I am looking forward to trying next time I visit the restaurant. I was able to have a quick tour of the kitchen which was spotless. I was told that the decor of the restaurant is being updated soon to help cement the new image of the restaurant. The downstairs area will also be opened soon. I would highly recommend a visit to this restaurant when you are next in Exeter."