Christmas Gift Voucher
I purchased a Gift Voucher for Randall & Aubin at Christmas time to celebrate a very special occasion. Feb 10th my daughter took her fiancé to R&A in London to celebrate completing his PhD thesis. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations and was deeply disappointing.
My daughter mentioned that the restaurant itself was smaller than anticipated, but size was not the issue. I had hoped and reasonably expected the food to be exceptionally fresh and delicious, and the staff to be friendly, attentive, and most importantly, knowledgeable about allergens and dietary requirements, particularly halal considerations for religious reasons.
Before ordering the lobster, my daughter specifically asked the waitress whether any of the items in their order contained any pork. The waitress confidently told my daughter, no. To their shock and disgust, a large chunk of sausage was later discovered in the salad. This immediately ruined their appetite and the celebratory nature of the evening.
The issue was brought to the attention of the staff right away, they cancelled the remainder of their order and left feeling upset and disrespected.
This experience represents more than a simple kitchen error. When staff are asked a direct question about ingredients, especially where allergies or religious observance is concerned, accuracy and honesty are essential. Providing false information, whether through negligence or lack of training, breaks trust and creates unnecessary harm.
Given the circumstances, we have requested a refund of the Gift Voucher and won’t be returning to the restaurant in the future. But know, that this was meant to be a joyful, meaningful celebration, and instead it became an experience marked by disappointment and loss of trust. I hope Randall & Aubin takes this feedback seriously and improves staff training around ingredient knowledge and dietary sensitivities, so other guests do not experience the same distress.
Seriously disappointed from across the Pond!
E L Morgan
10 February 2026
Unprompted review