Harper's Steakhouse with Rooms, Southampton Swanwick Marina

Emily was a wonderful waitress, warm and attentive, and she kept us informed about how long things would take. She completely turned the evening around. The food and cocktails were enjoyable too, though the way we were greeted has put us off returning. We'd booked for Valentine's Day and paid a £20 deposit. When we arrived, Steve, who we later found out was the duty manager, immediately warned us the food would take two hours and said he wasn't sure there was even a table. When we mentioned our reservation, he just said, “I know that.” After we gave our name, he asked us to wait at the bar while he checked. We'd ordered drinks when he came back saying he'd “found” us a table, then led us to a fairly quiet area, which didn't match the impression that the restaurant was extremely busy. At that point we were considering leaving, and it felt like Steve was hoping we would. We'd ordered 4 tapas for £28 to start, and those arrived promptly. The steak main took longer, but despite the initial two-hour warning, we finished within that timeframe and had some cocktails afterwards.

Chloe made the evening. She was welcoming and attentive, cleared finished plates promptly, checked when we were ready for the next course, and offered refills with a smile. It was my first visit, and the food was cooked well and fresh, with good gaps between dishes. The meal was great, but staff like Chloe really make it.

The serving staff were fantastic, attentive and efficient, and the puddings were excellent. We came for a family meal last night. My wife and dad really enjoyed their roast, and the kids liked their sausage and chips. I had a nice burger, though for the price it wasn't the best I've had and the bun was a little overcooked. It was pricey, but I thought the food was very good overall, and great service matters to me.

The mains were very good at our department lunch on their January offer. Service was friendly and helpful, but so slow that the person who ordered the two-course menu had to take dessert with them, while the rest of us went without. It wasn't particularly busy, so I'm not sure why it took so long. Also, they didn't have any "hanging skewers," and nobody mentioned that upfront, so two people had to go back to the menu and choose again. Maybe this is a better evening spot, when time matters less.