I've been dining at C London/Cipriani restaurant ever since it opened, which must be nearly 20 years ago.
I had booked a table for my wife's birthday with our 2 children, aged 13 and 15 and they refused us entry because my 13 year old was wearing shorts. These were smart, black shorts and it was one of the hottest days of the year - over 30 degrees outside.
You can imagine the extreme disappointment of my wife on her birthday when her chosen restaurant refused her family entry.
We could have chosen to eat anywhere in London, spending our hard earned money at any one of thousands of restaurants, yet we had chosen you.
Not only did you let us down, you have lost a customer for life. As a well-connected, high net worth individual, I will make sure that I make every effort to convey my experience to others and to ensure you lose future lifetime revenue and customers.
We were lucky enough to have been staying in a £7000 a night suite in the The Dorchester Hotel and a quick phone call to the hotel Concierge sourced an alternative restaurant who could not have welcomed us more openly. The service was superb and we ended up with a bill of nearly £2000. I gave the staff a substantial cash tip, on top of the standard service charge that had been added to the bill.
It's incredible to hear that C London, which now appears to be back using the Cipriani name, is doing so well financially, despite other hospitality venues suffering, that they can turn down business from longstanding customers or indeed anyone who wishes to spend money with them.
Once seated, no one can see whether a child is wearing shorts and so your policy is ridiculous. We witnessed other diners dressed inappropriately, wearing revealing outfits and covered in tattoos, yet you chose to take offence with my 13 year old child's smart black shorts.
I would warn other potential diners to read the other reviews of this restaurant and to think very carefully about whether you wish to associate yourself with a restaurant that operates like this.
There are thousands of restaurants in London, so choose carefully.
