"MrsC decided, as part of her recovery, for us to meet at Bicester Village for a wander in the Autumn sunshine and perchance to get some victuals whilst we were about it. I met her at the well appointed Bicester Village station (which must have the best waiting room, by far, of any network rail destination in the country) early doors and we pootled over to Farmshop for a late breakfast. We were seated swiftly, on entering, on a row of two cover seatings along the expansive framed windows alongside a walkway into the outlet village. A minor concern, on scanning the menu, was the perceived absence of both dairy alternatives for the drinks and a plant based breakfast choice beyond coconut yoghurt, granola and berries (which someone on the adjacent table had and looked very good). Somewhat perversely we found a cooked “plant based” breakfast in the Eggs section? Which, in concert, we both ordered and then were informed by our server, Nikole, that they had a plethora of PB alternatives for their hot drinks. So we added a coconut flat white, for MrsC, and a decaf oat milk latte pour moi. Both the drinks and food were despatched to the table in good time and were very good. The PB brekkie dispensed with faux meat items and the, now, ubiquitous scrambled tofu and a large oval plate was generously filled with; Fresh wilted greens with a soupçon of salt crystals and chopped chives Two gently softened fresh halved tomatoes Half an avocado mixed with fresh mint Two decent sized freshly cooked flat cap mushrooms Two slices of toasted sourdough (sadly bereft of any spread) Some disappointing canned baked beans and Less than homemade mini hash browns. All in all a light, but substantial, vegan breakfast with, mostly, freshly cooked ingredients of good quality. Coffees were good to boot. Service was light touch but attentive and warm and we enjoyed a great start to our meander around the “village”. It would probably warrant a 4.5 but for the irritating and unnecessary addition of a 13.5% “discretionary” service charge to the bill. I recognise I’m a curmudgeonly old fart but, on two counts, I find these additions an affront. Firstly “discretionary” means an individuals choice; not one unilaterally applied by the restaurant for the customer to have the “discretion” to remove it! As MrsC will willingly avow, especially if alcohol has been involved, I am more than willing to apply the traditional discretionary service thank-you (or tip as we used to refer to it) both regularly and generously. Further frustratingly there is no blanket suggestion that said 13.5% is given to the backroom staff or front of house. Secondly why is there a need to add a service charge and negatively differentiate yourselves? If my breakfast needs to be priced at ,a not unreasonable, £14.76 rather than the menu price of £13.00 than so be it. That’s far more honest and transparent than the route taken and a whole lot less alienating than the current practice. Surely there’s an expectation that if I’m ordering a meal via table service that it will be delivered to me where I’m sat? It seems churlish to add a sum to the bill for the taking of my order and its delivery to me. In summary. Service was great Food was very good. Menu could be clearer. Restaurant space is great with good atmosphere Service charge is a nonsense. Would I recommend it. Of course. There’s loads more positives than downsides and the quality and quantity of the food and the service itself is spot on."
Tomato Soup
