You are joking, aren’t you, to invite a Review?! I arrived with an elderly friend for a 6.00 table prior to going onto a concert at 7.30. The place was completely full, nowhere to be seated. The Manager/Owner (?) said it had been a terrible day but they were short staffed. We were assured we would get a table and be served in time. We waited for a table till 6.30. We made to leave but were persuaded to stay. No one could pay because clearly digital bills were not working. At one point the desk had about 10 people queuing to pay with bills being totted up on a calculator. Just paying for a meal was taking up yo 10 minutes or more. Even had we had any food, waiting to pay would have made us late. Finally we were seated at about 6.40, and again assured we would get a meal. We ordered what we were advised would be the quickest items on the menu. Still people waiting for meals had no meal. I asked for some water; this never came. There were 2 waiters; the older one clearly stressed; the young one keeping calm and very polite. We waited until past 7.00. No food, no water, and the final piece de theatre was when the chef(probably not the actual chef) reacted to two plates being returned because they had been presented prior to starters, by throwing one at the older waiter, who promptly walked out of the restaurant. We decided it was also time to beat a retreat. Later, at the concert, we recognised folk who had been waiting for meals; they arrived late, unsurprisingly. The young waiter deserved a medal! This would be the last place I would ever choose to eat in Manchester again. In any event, too many tables are crammed in, only the pre-theatre menu was on offer( with only two poor choices for a vegetarian). A suggestion: when things started to get chaotic and unable to manage, why on earth did someone not start to phone those with booked tables, apologise and say they were unable to honour the booking? Absolutely appalling spectacle.
Gio Ristorante – Manchester City Centre