View Full Version : Anyone else had problems with the bloke in Neon?
I went to Neon with my friend for a pizza the other day and had a really bad experience. We waited a quite a while for them to arrive and when they did he had messed up our order. He was unapologetic and had a really bad attitude, basically trying to pressurise us into sharing one and then sharing the next one when it arrived but as I don't eat meat that wasn't feasible. When I said I didn't want to eat alone he told me he could warm it up for me. I reluctantly agreed but suddenly my friends pizza arrived about two minutes later covered in rocket which wasn't suposed to be on there. God knows where he got it from, but I think it was probably covering up a multitude of sins! Both the pizzas were absolutely awful and so dry they were difficult to cut and eat.
At the end we told him that we didn't want to pay the service charge and he suddently took a swing for my friend who had to push him to get him off. He started ranting all kinds of "mental healthy" stuff about sexual frustration and being homosexual, swearing and shouting....it was absolutely unbeliveable and so we left in a state of shock. Next minute I look round and the nutter is chasing us down the street almost down to the Dog Star and I had to stand in front of him to stop him from attacking my mate.
I remember him being ok when I chatted with him when the place first opened a couple of years ago but what on earth has happened? Drugs, stress? Answers on a postcard please..........
Yeah, I've heard reporrts - on here and elsewhere, that the manager was a arsehole. Never heard it descend into violence though! :eek: - Cna't imagine Neon is long for this world if it carries on like that!
that sounds awful. :( I haven't been to Neon in years...
tarannau
15-05-2006, 15:45
I've heard he's a bit of a cock, but that story takes the biscotti (sorry..)
To me he's just a unfriendly looking, nose-in-the-air character that I haven't warmed to, but that's a worrying tale. The food used to make up for the dodgy service in there, but even that's been slipping by all accounts.
Christ, sounds like he's really lost the plot.
He's always been a twat, but that sounds really nutty.
:confused:
shakespearegirl
15-05-2006, 15:54
Been once, never again.
Really rude manager. Crap food, bad service, bloody expensive
memespring
15-05-2006, 16:47
I went once when it had just opened and it was great. But then went back about 6 months and 9 months later and the food was crap and the manager a twat. He was really snotty when I asked for my food to to be warmed up / replaced (one meal was cold and 35 minutes late, the other tasted shite).
I think they had a couple of good reviews in the standard and got ideas above their station. Havent been back since.
edit; and 'Martini Bar' :rolleyes:
He's rude and horrible. Had a similar experience the last time we went there (well over 2 years ago) in terms of pizzas and then we didn't pay the service charge. He got arsey but never cchased us or tried to hit us fortunately :eek:
Shame - it wasn't too bad in there when it first opened. First time I went there it was pretty good but the 2nd and 3rd and final time were absolutely shite :(
tarannau
15-05-2006, 16:51
It's strange how he's managed to piss so many people off and still stay in business.
I went there a couple of times after it opened and was pleasantly surprised by the food. They had some Italian chef in the kitchen rolling out some fine meals (I still remember the porchetta in there fondly) with no shortage of technical ability, but I never really enjoyed the atmosphere. A big group of Italian mates used to love the place though - no mean recommendation - until the manager pissed them off as well. I suspect the decent chef's long gone now too.
Shame. There was no reason they couldn't become the decent pizza place that many seem to think Brixton's lacking. Everything seemed to be in place apart from the social skills.
He started ranting all kinds of "mental healthy" stuff about sexual frustration and being homosexual, swearing and shouting....it was absolutely unbeliveable and so we left in a state of shock. Next minute I look round and the nutter is chasing us down the street almost down to the Dog Star and I had to stand in front of him to stop him from attacking my mate.
That's AWFUL. He is a nutter by all accounts but that's absolutely outrageous. Turns out a friend of a friend went to fashion college with him. According to them he was always prone to "outbursts" like this :rolleyes:
he suddently took a swing for my friend who had to push him to get him off
completely unacceptable behaviour - I'd be minded to have a word with the cops
Dreadful place. Went there for my birthday 3 years ago. They tried to serve my then g/f raw chicken.
pinkmonkey
15-05-2006, 19:54
That's AWFUL. He is a nutter by all accounts but that's absolutely outrageous. Turns out a friend of a friend went to fashion college with him. According to them he was always prone to "outbursts" like this :rolleyes:
Perhaps he should've stuck with frocks......
gaijingirl
15-05-2006, 20:17
Didn't have anything like that, but on the one and only occasion we called in there (to try and get a takeaway), he was so dismissive that we walked out and have never been back since.
articletwo
15-05-2006, 21:16
sorry to hear that.
in contrast, we have had only good experiences of going there, including our first time out as a threesome a few months ago, when "he" (is it the same he?) couldn't have been more helpful with the pushchair.
plus we have had takeaway from there, which has been delivered cheerfully and quickly to us.
Geoffers
15-05-2006, 21:57
Yeah, had a mediocre time there last week. Just cocktails and cake fortunately, but their tiramisu tasted of foam and I can make better martinis. Annoying when that happens, for such a simple drink!
Good on you guys nipsla and zoo for not paying service-charge though. I wish I had the courage more often.
Been once, never again.
Really rude manager. Crap food, bad service, bloody expensive
Exactly my experience. Extremely rude manager, average, overpriced food. I didn't return - which is a shame, because I love pizza, and I pray every day for a decent pizza restaurant to open in Brixton (one that's open in the evenings too).
Nickster
16-05-2006, 08:42
The food there used to be really yummy. Now it's uninspired, tasteless and mediocre.
The manager doesn't look like he enjoys his job very much. Maybe that's why he took as swing at you - frustration.
OpalFruit
16-05-2006, 12:38
Blimey!
I went a few times - but maybe 5 years ago - the guy I thought was the owner was v friendly in an affable sort of way, and I liked the food. Then we went for an overpriced 'italian breakfast', which included some mouldy jam, and haven't had time to go again.
Sounds really dodgy!
Disco Squirrel
16-05-2006, 15:26
I saw an ad on another website advertsing for waiting positions at Neon. I was quite shocked because the advert wasn't worded in a very nice way, I remember thinking, who would want to work there. Makes sense now.
I saw an ad on another website advertsing for waiting positions at Neon. I was quite shocked because the advert wasn't worded in a very nice way, I remember thinking, who would want to work there. Makes sense now.
You don't mean this ad do you? Christ the guy's an arse (not to mention terrible at grammar)...
http://www.gumtree.com/london/90/4162190.html
Disco Squirrel
16-05-2006, 16:16
You don't mean this ad do you? Christ the guy's an arse (not to mention terrible at grammar)...
http://www.gumtree.com/london/90/4162190.html
Yes, that's the one. Didn't seem very friendly to me.
I would never wanna work for someone like that. sounds like a total dick!
Can't believe the place is still open, tbh. Anybody want to open a book on when it'll close? Easily this Xmas. (unless it's a front for something shady of course)
gaijingirl
16-05-2006, 17:00
"I need someone (maybe a student) who can fit in and start performing right now."
What's he looking for.. a seal?? :D
He comes across as a bully, doesn't he?
Anybody want to open a book on when it'll close?
Doubt it will. I'm sure he's got money somewhere - and not from Neon. It should've closed years ago TBH, but bizarrely, keeps going.
That's my thinking. I bet there's a room at the back with a card table and guys in silk suits counting money :)
dogmatique
16-05-2006, 19:14
Summut's up with the place - it was empty for donkeys before a slow trickle of customers started going in. Any other place would have gone under an age ago.
Dubversion
16-05-2006, 19:17
i've never been tempted, and i'm glad now.
maybe somebody should email the twat this thread?
lunatrick
16-05-2006, 19:26
That's AWFUL. He is a nutter by all accounts but that's absolutely outrageous. Turns out a friend of a friend went to fashion college with him. According to them he was always prone to "outbursts" like this :rolleyes:
only one answer - headbutt in the face.
tarannau
16-05-2006, 19:28
Someone once mentioned that they only survived because they had a laughably cheap rent on the property or something. It's just about plausible, seeing as they seem to be staffed by the manager and probably one in the kitchen most days. I doubt he's paying himself much of a salary given the circumstances - but there are legitimate(ish) ways of shifting funds and minimising payments if you own your business that could allow him to live on no real profit.
Still a bag of shite mind. I've never liked the bloke or the atmosphere, but they could cook once and did offer something genuinely different in Brixton. Seemed they've pissed that up the wall now; leaving us with really only the customer 'management' skills of this prize plonker.
Mr Retro
17-05-2006, 08:47
Similar experience to people. Went with the wife, had 2 great pizzas but the guy was such a prick we never wen't back.
wen't
Sorry, but :D
I suppose that could be a legitimate contracton though:
"Had we not bought suncream, we would have cancer"
"Had wen't bought suncream, we'd've cancer?"
Hmmm. :)
Mr Retro
17-05-2006, 09:55
I think you are misreading that. I didn't use an apostrophe and none was intended.
"Went with the wife" as in "(I) went with the wife".
Oh, I know what you meant (mean't? :)) to say, but there's definitely a surplus ' in there. Anyway, just having a giggle - no offence intended!
Mr Retro
17-05-2006, 11:04
Oh, I know what you meant (mean't? :)) to say, but there's definitely a surplus ' in there. Anyway, just having a giggle - no offence intended!
None taken Oh! I fucking see now. I was reading the start of the sentence but the typo is at the end. Sorry. :D
As you all wer'e
maybe somebody should email the twat this thread?
Done
:)
tarannau
17-05-2006, 12:13
Nice. Let us know the response.
Was his email address shootmyselfinthefoot@restaurant.com?
:)
I would prefer it if people didn't. Don't need anymore hassle from this guy. But thanks for your replies - nice to know I'm in good company.
i've never been tempted, and i'm glad now.
maybe somebody should email the twat this thread?
i did, ha ha
didnt realise someone else did as well
info@neonbrixton.co.uk
I would prefer it if people didn't. Don't need anymore hassle from this guy
How would he hassle you more?
My guess is that he actually won't give a flying fuck about this thread and has probably forgotten you already as well.
Brixton Hatter
18-05-2006, 12:30
there seems to be no end of stories about how much of a cunt this guy is.
Zoo (and others with bad experiences) - Why not "review" his restaurant here (http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3066.htm), here (http://www.fluidfoundation.com/venueDetails.asp?BarRef=1236), here (http://www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Restaurant/Neon/206a/) and here (http://www.mybrixton.com/brixton/restaurants-reviews-neon.htm) so that other punters can see what they'll be getting...
top_biller
18-05-2006, 14:46
Have always avoided the place on account of it's decor and emptiness, now there's another reason.
As for pizza joints in Brixton, Ferndales on Ferndale Road is brilliant. I'd agree with everything said in the review on this obscure website I found:
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/cafes/restaurants.html
As for pizza joints in Brixton, Ferndales on Ferndale Road is brilliant.
I think 'brilliant' is a little OTT.
It's a nice little place for sure, but the 4 or 5 times I've been there, there's not really been anything to write home about the food - it's ok, but that's about as far as it goes.(IMO)
;)
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