Review of The Mandeville Hotel 4*

Very disappointed with this place… I went as a group of six (mixed ages), and I arrived separately and inquired at the door if there were any tables meeting our groups description … there was NO reception, just a very cold and off hand server who couldn't care less and wanted rid of me very quickly. I asked where the bar was should they happen to have been waiting in there, and he just pretty much shoved me over that direction without a smile and really didn't care — at least he could have pretended! The lack of a reception in my opinion was very poor, for such a so-called "good establishment. " Furthermore, it was a Friday night and only ONE table had a couple seated at it, so a very empty place — and absolutely NO atmosphere whatsoever! Very bland and average decor didn't help matters, it looked as though they pretty much just went to the nearest design warehouse and bought a clash of styles to throw in — the overdone so-called Fench meets art deco, which every bland high street bistro now has, no character nor style. We finally found one another and when we walked back through the SAME server who was so rude earlier came behind us with a dish to be taken to a table, and in the most rude tone practically shouted and said "excuse me please! " — and we were walking, not just stood around! I gave a very dirty look which I couldn't help! We were seated, but the table was only laid for 4, so they had to alter it very clumsily by adding a table, etc — in a very non elegant manner to say the least. There were chairs on one side, and the other side was a very uncomfortable, hard bench attached to the wall — this made it IMPOSSIBLE for the server to actually serve in an appropriate manner, for he had to reach over TWO people to lay the food down — really awful… clearly the wall bench was only made for individual tables with a space between them to allow the server to get close enough. Furthermore, the tablecloth had huge wrinkles all over, really not acceptable. The same server was the only one in the entire restaurant which had at least 20 tables, but max 3 tables by the end of the evening were booked! The headwaiter was acting as a server as their lack of staff was apparent, so he was not in his proper place to meet and greet clients, and take coats, etc — which I actually had to ask once at the table if he could take ours — geez! This to me is just even the most basic restaurant courtesy, which they failed to provide. The headwaiter at least had a some emotion in his face, unlike the rude server. The table ordered some wine, but without asking if everyone was having some, he just poured! I personally would have liked to have something else, but I never got the chance to request — and when my glass was empty, he just sneakily came up and poured! If anything I think he was trying to get through as much wine with us as possible so we would keep buying, but I really had enough of the wine on the 2nd glass and was tempted to put a serviette over the glass to stop him! The food was the only thing that saved me from just walking out at that point, it was good, but nothing at all special. Every reasonable bistro, posh pub, or high-street restaurant pretty much has this generic/modern style menu, with over-styled basic food, just laid out in a posh fashion, and insanely tiny portions just fyi — not that I was complaining about that. In today's world, good city dining usually does mean nicely presented and good food, it's not unusual, but this was no way exceptional nor great, it was "expected" and only passable. None of us thought "wow, " nor "oh-my", it was just simply okay to taste, and looked cool on the plate. I'd say the only good part was the cheese I had for desert, a tiny sliver of each but it came with some nice apple chutney sauce. I was so disappointed with the place, it really was poor for what the fuss is about. I can go to any posh pub or bistro and get the same standard of food and I'm sure much better service, and even pay less… save your money and go to the high street and avoid this place.