Cookies Tea Rooms in the Arndale

churchman phil · 09-01-2009, 11:53

Decided to call in for a little breakfast this morning. It was the first and last time. Behind the counter are probably the most miserable bunch of ladies this side of the Pennines.
I went for the Big Five breakfast option but when asked if it would be possible to have mushrooms instead of the tomato the person serving just said you can't replace anything - the first time that has happened anywhere.
When the breakfast arrived it looked awful. The egg must have been cooked in oil so old it looked dirty!! The bacon was half meat half fat, the sausage crunchy and the beans looked as if they'd been kept warm for a least two hours. The tomato was cooked on the outside and raw in the middle ('erindoors had this).
I for one will not be venturing into this place again as there is certainly no pride in serving and producing a nice looking meal for the customer.

AccyLass · 09-01-2009, 11:56

Sounds lovely! Am glad I have never ventured in

cashman · 09-01-2009, 12:07

if ya mean the cafe that used to be the picnic basket phil, i agree wholeheartedly, in fact i would rather plat snot than dine in yon. i been in once n thought the staff were on leave from Tenko.

jaysay · 09-01-2009, 12:26

Reminds me of a Tranny cafe on the A6, I was in one day and this bloke came in and asked if the proprietor could make him a special breakfast, we always try to please he said. Well I want two eggs undercooked and runny, burnt crispy bacon, raw black pudding cold beans hard fried bread and a cold pot of tea. We couldn't possibly prepare a meal like that sir. That's funny you did yesterday

lancsdave · 09-01-2009, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Reminds me of a Tranny cafe on the A6, I was in one day

Not seen anything about that on here or have you just decided to come out of the closet ?

jaysay · 09-01-2009, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Not seen anything about that on here or have you just decided to come out of the closet ?

Quick on there dave, been sleeping in the knife box all night have we

For Tranny read Transport Cafe

blazey · 09-01-2009, 12:51

I used to work at the one in Blackburn (which has changed its name now) before minimum wage for under 18's came in. I was on £3.25 an hour on saturdays and sundays, I barely got adequate breaks, was constantly on my feet and I once broke down into tears because I was so tired I was shaking and I dropped a small jug of cream on the floor.

A nice foreign gay man used to be the manager of the accrington one, he would come over and check up on us in the blackburn one every now and again and he once made us get down on our hands and knees after work and scrape the floor clean with a scraper. He was a good manager but last I saw, and this would've been when I was around 17 so 2 yrs ago, the blackburn manager had gone to the accrington one. Not sure if he is still there, nice enough guy but hires his staff quite recklessly.

(He hired me because he was waiting for someone else to turn up when I walked in and asked if any jobs where going. He flirted with me throughout the interview and offered me the job straight away. No experience or anything. He didn't even ask about GCSEs)

emamum · 09-01-2009, 12:53

i'm not sure which on it is...theres one as you come in through the enterance near wilkinsons, i went there once wanting a bacon butty and they had a big pile of cooked bacon that they reheated in the microwave... i didnt fancy that so i went somewhere else

flashy · 09-01-2009, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by emamum

i'm not sure which on it is...theres one as you come in through the enterance near wilkinsons, i went there once wanting a bacon butty and they had a big pile of cooked bacon that they reheated in the microwave... i didnt fancy that so i went somewhere else

is there an entrance to the Arndale near Wilkinsons? lol

emamum · 09-01-2009, 13:18

im asleep, ignore me, for some reason i thought we were talking about the market...

cashman · 09-01-2009, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by emamum

im asleep, ignore me,

no problem i usually do.

emzy · 09-01-2009, 13:22

Its the one as you turn left when you come out of marks in the arndale. Kinda opposite bodycare

blazey · 09-01-2009, 13:44

It is the only café in the arndale, how can anyone miss it?!

emzy · 09-01-2009, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

It is the only café in the arndale, how can anyone miss it?!

Unless you walk down that way you will not know its there. I, personally, cut through m & s so very rarely go that far down.

shakermaker · 09-01-2009, 14:56

Had the same experience with the miserable staff and crap food two years ago and haven't been in there since.
It's worth going to Manchester if only for a decent cawfee.