Service charge: how do I know if the restaurant staff got my tip?

I was told my tip would not go to the restaurant staff. If I’d known I would have paid it in cash

In January I took my family to the German Gymnasium restaurant at King’s Cross, London. The food was good and the service excellent. The bill came to £336.43 including a discretionary 12.5% service charge, which I paid happily. But when I asked a waiter how it was shared, I was told none of it reached the staff, which I found disappointing. I have tried to make contact (by email) with CEO Des Gunewardena, but have had no response. I would have given the gratuity in cash if I had known none of it reached the staff. JH, Cambridge

D&D runs 40 restaurants and bars in London, including upmarket venues such as Quaglino’s, Le Pont de la Tour and Skylon. We can understand your concern, given the huge press coverage about unfair tipping practices in restaurant chains.