Other branches of Gail's in London:
Hampstead (Main Branch)Gail's reviews
My six- and three-year-old daughters wanted to go to Gail's. Me, my wife and her sister had just been to see the Christmas concert at Colville Primary which is close by.
We had a couple of drinks and two gingerbread men, paid for when we ordered. Then the girls wanted some orange juice (£2.80 each, tiny!) and my wife paid for them. She noticed that she’d been charged for the gingerbread men again, an extra £2.20.
She pointed this out to the staff, in what seemed to me to be a surprisingly long, though civil, conversation. They said they’d need to check it on the computer. Ten minutes later the kids wanted to leave. I went to the counter to find out what was going on with our refund.
"I can’t give you a refund until I’ve printed out the receipt from the computer", the manageress said. I said, "Please could you just give us the £2.20 – my daughters want to leave, and you don’t have a loo here". (Yes, in this pricey joint, they have no toilet – we were pointed to the public loo outside.)
I repeated my request for a prompt refund. The manageress, still fiddling with the computer, said she couldn’t do that until she had a printout.
By now, I’d had enough. What did they think? That this was an elaborate scam by us to do them out of £2.20 when we’d spent 15 quid for some drinks and biscuits?
I raised my voice to give the other customers a chance to hear what was going on: "So you’re refusing to give me my £2.20 that you mistakenly overcharged me?" I had everyone’s attention at this point.
Eventually, one of the waitresses said that she found me threatening as a man (I think she meant I was a man, not her). She started giving me the money out of the tips cup. She was 1p short, so she pulled out a card, opened the till and took out the 1p. So much for not being able to refund me until a computer printout appeared.
Horrible place, I won’t be back. Though I suspect I have a lifetime ban. Never mind, I can give them a smile every morning as I pass by to drop my girls off at school.
by Ken Macdonald, 16 Dec 2009
We had a couple of drinks and two gingerbread men, paid for when we ordered. Then the girls wanted some orange juice (£2.80 each, tiny!) and my wife paid for them. She noticed that she’d been charged for the gingerbread men again, an extra £2.20.
She pointed this out to the staff, in what seemed to me to be a surprisingly long, though civil, conversation. They said they’d need to check it on the computer. Ten minutes later the kids wanted to leave. I went to the counter to find out what was going on with our refund.
"I can’t give you a refund until I’ve printed out the receipt from the computer", the manageress said. I said, "Please could you just give us the £2.20 – my daughters want to leave, and you don’t have a loo here". (Yes, in this pricey joint, they have no toilet – we were pointed to the public loo outside.)
I repeated my request for a prompt refund. The manageress, still fiddling with the computer, said she couldn’t do that until she had a printout.
By now, I’d had enough. What did they think? That this was an elaborate scam by us to do them out of £2.20 when we’d spent 15 quid for some drinks and biscuits?
I raised my voice to give the other customers a chance to hear what was going on: "So you’re refusing to give me my £2.20 that you mistakenly overcharged me?" I had everyone’s attention at this point.
Eventually, one of the waitresses said that she found me threatening as a man (I think she meant I was a man, not her). She started giving me the money out of the tips cup. She was 1p short, so she pulled out a card, opened the till and took out the 1p. So much for not being able to refund me until a computer printout appeared.
Horrible place, I won’t be back. Though I suspect I have a lifetime ban. Never mind, I can give them a smile every morning as I pass by to drop my girls off at school.
by Ken Macdonald, 16 Dec 2009
I wandered down to Gail's in Notting Hill today and dined on the most delectable chocolate almond croissant my forever grateful tastebuds have had the good fortune to encounter. I swear it was love at first bite! When it comes to my croissants I like 'em to pack a punch in the richness and melt-in-your-mouth department and these passed the test beautifully. Well done to the talented Gail's bakers. Incidentally, I couldn't help but notice the tasty-looking eye candy but was warned they were strictly off the menu!
by paulosullivan, 28 Apr 2009
by paulosullivan, 28 Apr 2009
Fantastically gorgeous cakes, totally yummy bread, delicious cappuccino and unusually lovely people serving them all. We love Gail's! It's the best.
by CathyJohns, 03 Mar 2008
by CathyJohns, 03 Mar 2008
Not impressed at all by this bakers. All style and no substance. I prefer the other French bakery opposite Hampstead Heath station - Boulangerie Jade/ Euphorium Bakery (can't remember which one it is, but that's the real deal).
by smithy124 (2 reviews), 10 Dec 2007
by smithy124 (2 reviews), 10 Dec 2007
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