My sister and I visited Rhubarb this week.
We have been frequent visitors there since the restaurant first opened.
I'm sorry to say that our experience was not great.
The menu has changed from being descriptive to a list of ingredients making choice difficult.
Both our starters were good though the bread that arrived 15 minutes before had been eaten by the time the starters arrived leaving nothing to eat with the soup or the chicken & foie gras confit.
The major disappointment was with the belly pork described as crispy which was in fact soggy and the squid which was so tough it could not be cut.
Despite highlighting the issue politely to a disinterested waitress no apology or explanation was forthcoming and in filling in the comments card with the same details we heard nothing back.
We both love rhubarb but will certainly think twice about choosing it again.
Claire
My husband and I visited Rhubarb this evening and had a very disappointing experience. We have eaten at Rhubarb on numerous occasions and have previously always been impressed with both the food and the service. However, today both were poor.
Despite the fact that the restaurant was not busy (we arrived relatively late at 8:40pm) our starters took over 25 minutes to arrive as the order had been misplaced. Our waiter was not apologetic or communicative, but rather was surly and disinterested - the waiter told us there was a problem with our order, but that the starters would be brought out soon. He did not say sorry. He then turned away, leaving my husband to talk to his back. Whilst we didn't have to pay for our starters, we were not made to feel welcome or valued as customers. We finished our drinks before the starters arrived and no one noticed that we had no drinks left at all during the remainder of the meal, despite the waitress coming to remove an empty water bottle.
The potatoes in my main course were not properly cooked and had to be sent back, but the replacement potatoes were dry and unpleasant. By the time my main course was brought to the table for the second time my husband had finished hid meal, but again no-body seemed interested in this. Indeed, no one came to ask whether we were enjoying our food or whether everything was OK, either during the main course or the starters, and I remained thirsty throughout the meal.
The cost of the starters and my main course were deducted from the bill, but this did not serve to improve our evening. Our waiter was unhelpful and disinterested and we both felt the quality of the food and the interest and care for customers has really declined. We will be unlikely to return or to recommend the restaurant to friends. On the contrary, unfortunately we will be telling friends and family about our very poor experience.
Didsbury 1977
After always having excellent meals at Rhubarb we took some friends there on Saturday night. We hadn't been for a while but during the time the place has seriously gone down hill. We waited over an hour for our starters, our steaks which were meant to be medium rare were medium to well done, the deposit wasn't taken off the bill, not one person asked how our meal was and the service was slow and shoddy. When asked if we could give some feedback (not complain) the owner/manager was very defensive and offered half hearted excuses for our bad experience and didn't offer a sniff of an apology. This is a real shame as we've always loved Rhubarb but we definitely wont be going back and I'll be telling all my friends the same. This sort of service you can put up with if your not paying for it, but Rhubarb is on the pricey side and the service and food at other places of the same calibre is far far better.
Jeannie
December 2008
My friends and myself visited Rhubarb for the first time the food and the atmosphere were lovely. I am vegetarian and get quite sick of the same dishes, my dish was lovely and the tastes were just right. We were not rushed and the service was excellent which to me is so important. I would highly recommend this oasis in Burton Road we are going again soon.
Rob
Myself and a friend visited Rhubarb on Tuesday 3rd June to sample the set menu and to say we were pleased with what we got is a serious understatement.
To begin 15.95 for three courses is a bargain especially when you consider that two courses is priced at 14.95. Trust me the desert is worth a pound.
For starters I had the Moroccan lamb kebabs which were pleasant and well spiced leaving a nice after taste of cumin on the palate but not overpowering at all. The portion size was a little smaller than the full a la carte starter but this was expected.
My partner in crime went for the porcini mushroom risotto which indicated was nice but not spectacular. Again the portion was a little down on the a la carte.
For mains I went for a pork fillet with mixed bean and chorizo. My friend went with the roast chicken breast with Moroccan tagine and cous-cous.
My pork was cooked very well and the mixed beans and chorizo were excellent although I would have preferred a little more chorizo.This time the portion size was spot on and perfectly balanced. The chicken tagine at the opposite end of the table was said to be nice again although the cous-cous a little dry but on the whole a very nice dish. The portion here was huge with the cous-cous coming as a side. My dining partner found it too much and had to leave a little to allow for desert.
The deserts chosen were a chocolate pudding with hot chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, and a raspberry creme brulee. These were both outstanding and an ideal end to the meal.
We had a bottle of new Zealand whit to accompany which was pleasant and suited all pallates.
in conclusion for 52 pounds for two three course meals a bottle of wine and a espresso the food and drink that was experienced was easily worth the time and money and comes very much recommended to all.
Helly
The food was delicious, we had the set menu which was 15.95 for three meals on Tuesday 6th May. The noise in the restaurant however, We both found you could not hear your self speak. We moved to a table from the middle to the window and it was a little better. It ruined the night really. 4/10
Catherine
I ate at Rhubarb today (Sunday 23rd February) with my friend and we both agreed how fantastic our meals were! We both chose from the lunch menu, which was a bargain £15.95 for 3 courses. I had the cheese tartlet for my starter, roast beef with all the trimmings for my main course and the toffee and banana creme brulee for my dessert, all of which were absolutely delicious! I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to try excellent food.
Diner007
We ate at rhubarb this evening and it was fantastic!
I had Thai Mussels and my partner had lamb kebabs for his starter, amazing flavours.
For mains we had Marinaded seabass with Italian bean casserole (the casserole oozed lemon and herbs) and a fillet steak with pepper sauce which I'm told was the best he's ever eaten! We then shared an imaginative 'rhubarb plate' for dessert which was a treat for any rhubarb lover.
The decor is a little plain but the service and the wine was very good. all in all 9 out of 10.
Rodders
A craving for a Sunday roast led us to posh restaurant Rhubarb (due to a lack of decent local pub choice for this meal in the area). We weren't disappointed, but it wasn't perfect: nice roast beef (asked for rare, came medium-well, but this is difficult to achieve with a carvery which I presume is how they do it backstage). Lovely veg (green beens, roast parsnips, great roasties) and perfect Yorkshire pudding. Cold-ish plates meant it didn't stay warm for long. Asked for more gravy which they quickly provided.
Either side of the main event; AMAZING pea and ham soup; crepes suzette and sticky date pudding - both v nice.
Good service, bar a wee mistake to the tune of a quid on the bill which we let the tip soak up. Main gripe: it was really quite cold in the restaurant. Every time I have been it has been cold, summer or winter. Turn the air con DOWN people! We want a nice, warm, cosy atmosphere when we eat out!
Nursedave
Partner and I had meal here on Friday 19th Oct. I had a stater of duck spring rolls with a spicy rhubarb dip! Outstanding, and no skimping on the duck meat either. For the main meal, I had the fillet steak, 21 day matured..........medium (and it was), with a sumptuous peppercorn sauce, and garlic wedges. My partner had pan fried chicken breast with sweet potato mash and a creole curry sauce. Again, gorgeous! We both agreed that we had probably just had our best meal ever (and we've had many!). With 2 alcy drinks, coffees and 1 dessert, cost £60. Very reasonable. The service was excellent. I highly recommend it. A varied menu and not too overwhelming. Go and enjoy!
