A Sheffield bistro has hit back at a one-star review from a vegetarian customer who claimed she was offered only chips as a main course, sparking heated online debate
Andrew Dowdeswell and Benjamin Blosse
08:45, 25 Dec 2025
Le Haricot in Hillsborough, Sheffield(Image: Andrew Dowdeswell / YorkshireLive)
A Sheffield bistro found itself in hot water after a vegetarian diner says she was served chips as a main course. Le Haricot, a café and bistro located in Hillsborough, has only recently launched, but a scathing one-star review from a disgruntled customer has sparked heated debate over its alleged lack of vegetarian main courses.
Casey Fordacchino posted her experience on a Sheffield Vegetarian Facebook group, describing her evening booking at Le Haricot as reminiscent of “Fawlty Towers”. She claimed staff ignored them for 40 minutes and provided neither a drinks menu nor any vegetarian options amongst the main courses, reports Yorkshire Live.
In her damning one-star assessment, she wrote: “When I asked about this, they said that I should have informed them prior to arriving that I was a vegetarian. Although I wasn’t asked this upon booking. They did not accommodate and said I could have fried as a main, and that’s what I had for Xmas meal out.
“They had the audacity to ask if everything was alright with my meal, part way through and at the end asked if I was splitting the bill 50-50 with my friend, who was able to get a meal. Terrible service and rude. Shame, as I used to love going there during the day for a coffee.”
Casey awarded the bistro just one star across the board for food, service and atmosphere. Le Haricot responded defensively to the criticism, insisting they “post our menu everywhere” and had expected Casey to check it before making her Facebook booking.
The proprietor retorted: “You walked in and your table was the first on the left. You saw your name on the reservation sign and sat down. Sunny, our wonderful and very pleasant barman, was standing talking to you literally within two minutes. I have the CCTV footage, pop in to take a look if you wish. A negative review is fine if its deserved, but don’t make it up and exaggerate.”
They described their establishment as a “very small place with a very small menu”, boasting excellent service and generally favourable reviews. They also mentioned their practice of asking customers about bill splitting.
The owner quipped: “Lastly, you have to agree the pomme frites are bloody fantastic, although you won’t be able to have them again as we plan to change from oil to beef tallow for our pomme frites in the new year. You can choose to be vegetarian, it doesn’t mean we have to cater to you. Merry Christmas.”
As of 24 December, the café and restaurant has received 39 Google reviews. Among these, only one is a one-star review, while the remaining 38 are glowing five-star reviews.