I took my mum to celebrate her birthday today for afternoon tea at the Courthouse Doubletree - and was looking forward to a good standard of service and product, what we got was very far from that. We have been to other places across London and found the standard very good, until now. From the atmosphere and tableware used to the food and service it was a disappointing affair. All the food was put out at once, meaning the scones became cold and the cakes dried out. There was no refill of the sandwiches and only 6 between 2 people. The staff were on-hand but more interested in talking amongst themselves and really not attentive. Avoid this if you can, the money is better spent making it at home and enjoying it!

I booked a table at Carnaby Restaurant for a group of 9 people for my birthday. The location is fantastic with great views overlooking the top end of Carnaby Street and Liberty's and they offer 241 on the food courses every day for View Card holders, which lowers the price quite considerably.

Unfortunately the service wasn't as great as it could have been. Some of our orders were wrong and we felt the staff could have been somewhat more charismatic. Despite this though, we were treated well and the food was divine. I had crab cakes to start, which were beautifully crispy and generously filled with crab (unlike many restaurants that scrimp on the crab and pack in the potato). For main course I had lamb rump in a red wine jus with wilted spinach. I can honestly say it one of the best pieces of lamb I have ever tasted, chargrilled to perfection.

The wine list is extensive and resonably priced and did not disappoint. We ordered the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Pinot Grigio, both of which were lovely.

I have eaten at The Carnaby 3 times before and although the staff are a bit odd and the venue eerily empty for Oxford Circus, it's a calm, pleasant space and the £10 2 course menu is usually good value. This 4th time I met my friend (K) for our pre-Christmas lunch.

1pm: only 4 other diners in. We sit down and are given the Dinner menu. The waitress disappears. 1:10 I manage to flag her down and ask if this was the lunch menu too, and if we could also have the drinks menu. She says "On the back" and walks off. I call after her that this is all wine, and I am pregnant. She returns with a drinks list. I ask if this is the lunch menu again. "Oh, no, we have *another* menu for lunch - do you want that menu?". "We would like every lunch menu you have, thank you"

1:15: Lunch menu appears and our waitress disappears again to God-knows-where (not the other tables). 1:20, I flag another (idle) member of staff who fetches my friend's water (but not my tea), then our waitress. We tell her we now only have time for 1 course, and order.

1:35: my tea arrives. Bread eaten, we chase our food again. 1:40: K's ravioli is tiny (7 pieces) and "boiled to death in over-salted water". Inedible. My salmon and beans are OK, mash watery and under-seasoned.

1:43: K calls the waitress over to send hers back. We don't have time to re-order. I pick at mine for a minute, then decide we're going to Pret as the idea was to eat together. I send my food back and ask for the meal to be taken off.

I make the point that a lunch menu should be capable of being served in an hour, both courses.

We end up paying £7 for our drinks, although I have to say we're taking off the 12.5% service charge(!).

No apology, no attempt at rectifying the situation. I ask another idle staffer if he is the manager. "No". 3 staff, 3 tables of diners, no service. Incredible.

I restrain myself from telling the party of 6 who've arrived to go eat elsewhere.

We leave and go to Pret.

Carnaby Restaurant is a great place for a pre theatre dinner. We recently went to see the Sound of Music and the restaurant is ideally located for the theatre. The food was fabulous and service was good. This really is a great place with great food and excellent value for money. I am now thinking of going to Carnaby Restaurant for Valentines day.