Purchases Restaurant

"This restaurant seems to have unacceptable communication issues and absolutely terrible customer service which totally ruined our evening. As someone making a booking with a Guide Dog the restaurant were sent a special request as part of that procedure. (A table next to a wall and away from any entrance or exit was requested so the dog could settle out of the way of everyone.) This is usual and never a problem with any other restaurants / pubs / hotels etc. Our booking was confirmed by email and was nearly a month before the booking date. Then we received a phone call a week before the booking when the special request was again checked and confirmed. Then a few days before the booking we received a phone checking we still wanted the booking. Once again the special request was mentioned and confirmed. Then on the day, two hours before the booking we phoned the restaurant to check all was okay and we were reassured by them. Once again the special request was checked. Then 15mins before our booking we received a phone call asking if we were still coming as we were late. We were not but we reiterated our special request then too. When we arrived we were taken to a back room and given a table not next to a wall, right next to the entrance to the room which both public and staff use, and one very close indeed to another table. The staff fussed around, leaving us standing in the middle of the restaurant, with several different staff informing us that was "all they had", offering us the chance to sit and wait for they "didn't know how long" in an outdoor terrace (in February!). Absolutely no kindness was shown or reasonable apology for an inappropriate table. We were offered a credit note for drinks at another visit but since we are from Worcestershire and after our insensitive treatment this was pointless and felt like a way of being fobbed off. We were very disappointed indeed having had the restaurant recommended for our holiday in the Chichester area. However The Ivy around the corner, despite turning up without a booking, were sympathetically outstanding in their welcoming, staff politeness and kindness, accommodating the dog and serving very good food. Needless to say we would not recommend Purchases to anyone."

"Ideal for pre theatre meals. Conservatory and Garden for summer months. Good food and pleasant service in building which once housed the oldest wine merchants in Sussex."

"The cooking standards have gone down quite considerably, two meals this past year eaten here below par and execution. I would not recommend booking a table here with any great expectations. The service is haphazard, at least two glasses broken around our table and dishes brought to the wrong tables. One dish, such as the so-called char-grilled octopus with oil-soaked chorizo, was inedible and sent back. King scallops with diverse cauliflower was equally poorly cooked and thrown on the plate. No dessert was ordered due to the mains. A less than decent espresso arrived lukewarm and was sent back. The garden used to be a smart area but is now so enclosed by plastic-looking sheeting is not inviting but merely claustrophobic. It's such a shame as this used to be a good restaurant but they seem to be scraping the barrel in finding a decent head chef who can delegate. I will not be returning. As Chichester 'thrives' on chain restaurants, Purchases was one of the few 'neighbourhood' restaurants with the owner overseeing it (alongside his other ones in the area). The expense in going here to is another good reason to boycott it, over £70 for two courses, both starters as it was lunchtime, and two glasses of mediocre wine."

"After a cultural morning in Pallant House enjoyed a late lunch. Restaurant busy but not manic, leisurely dining seems to be the aim. Set lunch good value and a range of options. Technical hitch with a chef going rogue readily resolved by front of house staff. Fresh produce that gets to shine."