Name:
The Great Exhibition
Date & Hours Visited:
Tuesday, 12 July 2016, 12.15-2pm
Free Wi-Fi?
Yes
How Busy?
On a weekday at lunchtime it was very quiet, with only a handful of customers.
Staff Attitudes:
Pleasant, but not overly friendly. They had no problem with me working there.
Noise Level:
The music on the radio was somewhat distracting, but at least the tunes were good and it didn't stop me from getting my work done.
Seating:
Wooden tables and chairs that were comfortable to sit at for a couple of hours. Not enough room for my laptop and a plate of food on the table at the same time, so work paused while I ate.
Food/Drink Price:
Weekday lunch sandwiches £6 each; main menu is more varied and more expensive.
Food/Drink Quality & Selection:
Small selection of sanwiches at the £6 price during lunch hours, including a couple of vegetarian options. I had a smoked salmon and red onion baguette with (too much) mustard and a ginger beer.
Would I Work Here Again?
Nothing in particular is drawing me back, but I might give it another shot.
Overall Ranking:
6/10
And another thing…
I like food. I don’t like coffee. One of the unique features of these reviews that I forgot to mention in my intro post is that I’ll have quite a lot to say about food, tea and other drinks, and nothing at all to say about coffee. Sorry, java snobs.
I also like choice. A limited menu with only one or two options that interest me is fine for a one-off but isn’t enough to keep me coming back again and again, especially with so many pubs and restaurants in the area to choose from. I'm not the type to visit the same café every day and order 'the usual' each time, and while I might have my favourite places and dishes I get bored without variety.
I understand The Great Exhibition’s strategy in making the sandwich menu limited so that customers will look to the bigger (and pricier) main menu for more options, but if nothing on the cheaper menu tempts me I'd honestly rather go home and make my own sandwich. And even in a trendy part of London where I'm not likely to find a cheaper sandwich, I don't think £6 for a ‘lunch specials’ baguette or bloomer is anything to write home about.
The Great Exhibition
Date & Hours Visited:
Tuesday, 12 July 2016, 12.15-2pm
Free Wi-Fi?
Yes
How Busy?
On a weekday at lunchtime it was very quiet, with only a handful of customers.
Staff Attitudes:
Pleasant, but not overly friendly. They had no problem with me working there.
Noise Level:
The music on the radio was somewhat distracting, but at least the tunes were good and it didn't stop me from getting my work done.
Seating:
Wooden tables and chairs that were comfortable to sit at for a couple of hours. Not enough room for my laptop and a plate of food on the table at the same time, so work paused while I ate.
Food/Drink Price:
Weekday lunch sandwiches £6 each; main menu is more varied and more expensive.
Food/Drink Quality & Selection:
Small selection of sanwiches at the £6 price during lunch hours, including a couple of vegetarian options. I had a smoked salmon and red onion baguette with (too much) mustard and a ginger beer.
Would I Work Here Again?
Nothing in particular is drawing me back, but I might give it another shot.
Overall Ranking:
6/10
And another thing…
I like food. I don’t like coffee. One of the unique features of these reviews that I forgot to mention in my intro post is that I’ll have quite a lot to say about food, tea and other drinks, and nothing at all to say about coffee. Sorry, java snobs.
I also like choice. A limited menu with only one or two options that interest me is fine for a one-off but isn’t enough to keep me coming back again and again, especially with so many pubs and restaurants in the area to choose from. I'm not the type to visit the same café every day and order 'the usual' each time, and while I might have my favourite places and dishes I get bored without variety.
I understand The Great Exhibition’s strategy in making the sandwich menu limited so that customers will look to the bigger (and pricier) main menu for more options, but if nothing on the cheaper menu tempts me I'd honestly rather go home and make my own sandwich. And even in a trendy part of London where I'm not likely to find a cheaper sandwich, I don't think £6 for a ‘lunch specials’ baguette or bloomer is anything to write home about.
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