Fountain Arcade Cafe - Dudley

I recently visited the restaurant, now called The Albionn, for a morning coffee with my husband on a Saturday. I enjoyed a delicious cappuccino and a toasted croissant with butter and jam. The service provided by the two young ladies was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was relaxed, with subtle background music playing. I also appreciated the events posted on the windows, adding to the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

I don't normally bother to review when the service is bad but this took the biscuit. On arrival we selected a table, in seconds a waitress gave us food menus. She was politely told we only wanted drinks and did we need to order at the counter? Yes she replied. My Sister went to the counter but we were then given drinks menus. The waitress hovered so the others ordered but I wanted to see what cakes they had not on the menu). Still she hovered despite me asking her to give us 5 minutes, so I just said I will have a pot of tea with the teabag out of the pot I like it weak). The drinks arrived, teabag was in pot, I let it go. Upon paying I asked how much my tea was, £1.20 she replied. I left the money on the table and went to the toilet. When I came back my sister told me the girl had taken £9.20 off the table and not brought any change back. I asked where it was, she replied there wasn't any...ok well if the hot choc was £2.70, latte £2.30 and tea £1.20 that wasn't £9.20. It was she replied. Twice I asked to see the bill. After a while a hastily written bill came showing the tea at £3.90!! No way is tea more that a hot choc with cream ..even Costa tea is half that. I questioned it but was rudely told the price was on the menu. Why did you tell me it was £1.20 then. She shrugged and went off. I asked another waitress, yep tea is £3.90. No apologies for wrong quote, rude attitude and she then rolled her eyes at another customer about my complaint. Not only was the order not as requested, the service shocking but the price was beyond rediculous. Avoid this place. No wonder it was mostly empty!

The food was okay, but the staff had a bad attitude. We won't be returning because it's not pleasant to have a negative experience in a place where you should feel comfortable.

6 of us ordered food. 5 came pretty much together. Took ages for the final meal to come out. Only to then be told that they “had to wait for potato wedges”. The manager was very rude and condescending and stated that it was because the panini and wedges was on the “lunch menu” and we had ordered breakfasts as well. We were not told at the beginning that there would be a wait and if that was the case, surely soup a jacket potato with cheese and beans is not classed as a “breakfast”. They used any excuse they could find. Did not keep us updated with how long it would be as we would’ve all just ordered breakfasts to begin with. No attempt to satisfy us in the end, no suggestion of food, drink or a refund to compensate. To be quite honest, to anyone who wants to visit this cafe, just don’t bother and save your money!

My friend and I often come to this restaurant on Saturdays. The food is fantastic. We both really enjoy the bacon, cheese, and mozzarella panini. This time, I tried the homemade vegetable soup and it was amazing. This place is a hidden treasure with delicious food, great service, and reasonable prices. We'll be back soon!