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Daniela Prado: When a Tantrum Becomes a Review: The Truth Behind a False Complaint

A busy Bank Holiday, a packed café, and a perfectly polite interaction — followed by a wildly false online review. Here’s what really happened, and why we believe in setting boundaries and standing by the truth.

It was a rainy, busy Bank Holiday weekend in Lynton — our little café was buzzing, scones were everywhere, and space was tight.

Then came a Google review claiming we’d been rude, unwelcoming to families, and had “snapped” at a customer with children. Strong words — especially when we checked the security footage and saw what actually happened.

Rainy day on a Saturday afternoon, two tables available when easily can fit 4 or more. As soon as we got in (2 adults and 2 children) the man said: sorry just sit for two or three max. Coming out a bit disappointed as he didn’t even say hello or sorry but unfortunately we are very busy, just straight away said NO space. Even as we came in a mother, daughter and child were leaving and offered us their seats and the guy just snapped “ there’s still not enough space” . He was obviously having a bad moment or just didn’t like the fact we were a family with 2 young girls, I saw a dad coming in with his daughter and he immediately left due to the same situation. Definitely not welcoming place for families, not child friendly place. You can read a note inside and it says: no groups for more than 4, no prams and something else but what a shame about this. Definitely I will not recommend this place. They definitely don’t know anything about customer service.

What actually happened ... 

Daniele Prado walked in with her husband and two daughters.They ignored the “Please wait to be Seated” sign, and strolled into the middle of the café.

She asked — very politely — if we had space for four. We replied, equally politely:

“Sorry, I only have space for two, maybe three at most.”
She said, “Don’t worry, thank you,” and left.

That was it.

No argument. No raised voices. No hostility. Just a standard, respectful exchange during a busy service.

And yet, the review she wrote painted a completely different story — full of emotion, invented details, and accusations of poor treatment. She claimed we refused to seat her unfairly, that she was spoken to rudely, and that we were not a “child-friendly” space. One table she claimed was available was in fact clearly marked as reserved.

This isn’t a misunderstanding and it’s not feedback — it’s gaslighting.

Want to See What Really Happened?

You can watch the footage and decide for yourself. No drama. No rudeness. Just a moment that didn’t go someone’s way — and their overreaction to it.  

Why We’re Sharing This

We’ve blurred faces and shared the video here. Not to call anyone out — but to set the record straight. Because when someone tries to damage your reputation over a polite “no,” it says more about them than it does about us.

This isn’t a review. It’s a tantrum

We’re a small café. We care about people. We treat everyone with respect — and expect the same in return. Families are welcome. Children are welcome. But entitlement is not.

If we say a table isn’t suitable for four people, it’s because it isn’t. We won’t compromise our space, our service, or our standards just to avoid upsetting someone who doesn’t like being told “no.”

Final Thought

We believe boundaries matter. We believe kindness matters. And we believe the truth matters.

So if you’re visiting North Coast Café, know this — we’ll greet you warmly, serve you well, and do our best to make your visit great. But if you push, ignore signs, or twist the facts after the fact, don’t be surprised when we stand our ground.

Because here — and in life —

“No” is a complete sentence.

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Daniela Prado: Tantrum Becomes a Review

A rainy Bank Holiday, a packed café, and one customer who couldn’t take no for an answer. In this post, we reflect on why setting boundaries matters — and why “no” is a complete sentence.

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