We ate at The Patio, Hanover St, Edinburgh on Saturday.
A strange long, thin restaurant interior, and a décor that was in need of a serious makeover some years ago, but didn't get it.
We waited too long for drinks, and finally the order to be taken.
Having waited, we asked twice for an update on when our food would arrive. Especially when others were arriving after us, and getting their food quickly.
Finally ... the garlic bread was disappointingly simply sliced crusty bread with thinly spread oiling butter - and no hint of garlic.
My pizza (specially ordered as extra hot version of their special "The Patio Pizza") ... was so perfectly round, with a perfectly rounded crust, that it looked suspiciously like frozen dough ... drowned in over the top mozzarella, and little else - very disappointing!
My wife ordered the "special giant prawns" in pasta. She commented that they were cold and over cooked.
We both only managed to eat half of the main course, and were disappointed. We are not fussy, but when it can be cooked better at home, its not right! In the same way as when asked, if the food is good, say so, when its not, the restaurant should be keen to get feedback, and then learn from it.
So it was with great surprise when we got the reaction to our minor feedback.
We asked for the manageress. I explained briefly that I felt the pizza was not the best, and that my wife was disappointed by cold, rubbery, over cooked.
Her immediate reaction?
"I know your types. If you don't like it ... F#@£ OFF! Get out!"
My wife responded, that she couldn't believe the response to basic feedback. The manager repeat the blunt four letter response, nearly shouting by now.
We left the middle of restaurant in total shock that any owner could react in such an amazing way to feedback, to a customer who clearly had had a bad experience.
We left, to reflect on what just happened.
The next morning, my wife was extremely unwell, and we nearly missed the flight home due to her up set tummy ... On getting home on Sunday afternoon she was straight to bed, and that evening was physically and violently sick. Today, Tuesday she is back to normal ... but off pasta and prawns - and rude restaurant owners.
You have been warned!
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Thanks for the comments - Kate (my wife) recovered after 48 hours. Dodgey prawns etc ... but worst dodgey service. The incredible thing is we believe (from reading other articles is ) the manageress is the owner, and the chef is her husband!!!
That said there are plenty of excellent restaurants in Edinburgh, we ate well particularly in The Dining Room just round the corner from "The Patio". We also had very good meals at the Thia almost next door to "The Patio" ... and All-Bar-One has a very dramatic room and has a tapas stype lunch menu - all very good.
Enjoy it - we'll be back to Edinburgh - but not "The Patio"!
lesa60 28.11.2006 23:21
That's unbelievable to receive that kind of abuse for complaining. A useful warning as I'm occasionally in Edinburgh.
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Advantages: Friendly, good service, gorgeous tasting fresh cooked food, an extensive menu that caters well both in taste and price Disadvantages: It's popular so to avoid disappointment you will have to book
discerning123 12.02.2007 (12.02.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Patio Restaurant, Edinburgh
Advantages: Friendly, good service, gorgeous tasting fresh cooked food, an extensive menu that caters well both in taste and price Disadvantages: It's popular so to avoid disappointment you will have to book
discerning123 12.02.2007 (12.02.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Patio Restaurant, Edinburgh
Nov 28th, 2006
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