Lima have just opened a new restaurant in Covent Garden, Lima Floral. We love their twist on Peruvian food and we didn’t mind the lack of disabled facilites in their earlier restaurants in Soho (Ceviche) and Charlotte Street (Lima). We thought that in their expansion plans they would start to look for premises that provided disabled facilities. The reviews so far are good,
The Telegraph said “the food at Lima Floral is clean, fresh and wholesome” and Timeout reported that it’s “perfect for diners looking for a new kick, but who find Lima too fussy and too pricey. Here, Martinez’s dishes are playful and imaginative”.
However, when we called about disabled facilities the response was the old chestnut of “it’s an old listed building, so we don’t have any”. We replied politely with the usual “that’s not a reasonable excuse etc.” and on researching further we found that B3 Designers, the designers of Lima Floral, were quoted in Design Week as saying they – ‘stay true to the values of the Peruvian dining offer’… ‘with strong references to nature, geometry and materials of the earth.’ ………But not 19% of the population of the earth.!!!!!
After two confusing calls (their staff are obviously not trained in the needs of disabled customers), we ascertained that the restaurant is at ground level with 2 small steps to get in and no disabled toilet. There’s a bar in the basement which is down approx. 10 stairs so not really accessible unless you’re desperate for a Pisco cocktail. Despite this they can have a provisional 1.5BBS Ticks as It’s definitely trendy and their food sounds exciting and something different.
We also tried to book at Charlotte’s Bistro in Chiswick as it won the Good Food Guide’s, London Region ‘Readers’ Restaurant of the Year Award’. Unfortunately the restaurant is up eight stairs but we were told that the food was also available in the ground floor bar. However, after a second and third call we ascertained that the bar had fixed seating and you could only be accommodated if you transferred from a ‘foldable’ wheelchair. To be fair they did say their restaurant in Ealing, Charlotte’s Place, would be more ‘suitable’ but on calling them they said it was flat access with toilets on the ground floor but no disabled toilet! However, The Grange pub next door has one that can be used…………’suitable’ it is NOT.
After all the calls and the continued despair at 21st century restaurants not catering for a disabled person, we couldn’t be bothered with either. Nevertheless when we do visit the service charge won’t be paid as per our petition No Access, No Service Charge, Sign Here.