My partner and I went out for a meal to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We had chosen and booked to go to the Bistro Des Amis, just behind the Red Lion pub, at 1 Jerry Croft, Skipton. When we got there, we were asked if we had a reservation and confirmed that we had. When the manageress, who we later learned was called Alicia, checked, she could find no record of any booking. Naturally, as it can be one of the busiest nights of the year, there were no available tables left in the dining area.

Although very apologetic, she was unable to help it seemed. We were obviously very disappointed to say the least. After double checking, and then checking again, it clearly wasn’t looking good, and we thought we would be completely out of luck and maybe even have to return home.

But Alicia came to the rescue. Seeing our level of distress, she suggested that if we didn’t mind sitting at one of the high tables near the door, she could fit us in. These are normally for people waiting to be seated at their table, or simply enjoying a drink at the bar. She offered us a complimentary bottle of wine to compensate for the mix up.

We gladly accepted thinking it better to have a table somewhere, than none at all. It was the right decision. We both enjoyed a fabulous meal, matched only by the great service. The staff were all notably quite young, but they were attentive, polite and very professional; which is nice to see in a day and age where young people are often criticised.

It actually ended up being one of the best evenings we have had in ages and we would like to extend a huge thank you to all at the Bistro for salvaging the situation and giving us such an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Mick Courcier

Town House B&B

Skipton