Mary's Wine & Tapas Restaurant

My friend said it used to be very good but we were very disappointed. the cod croquettes had very little fish in them and the cauliflower cheese was just cauliflower in a white sauce with just a bit of cheese on top. Also the 'bread ' that was £3.95 was just a slice of tasteless toast that we discovered when we mentioned it when we left it was the gluten free. Delivered by mistake

This marks our third visit to Mary's, primarily for the music, which remains the highlight of our experience. The musicians and the overall ambiance are truly exceptional, and the service consistently meets our expectations. Regrettably, the food falls short, both in terms of flavour and presentation. When we think of tapas, we envision fresh, vibrant Spanish dishes, but the reality was quite different. The dishes we ordered didn't live up to this expectation. While they were acceptable, there is definite room for improvement. If we had seen photos of the tapas before ordering, we might have made different choices. Typically, tapas are known for their simplicity, freshness, and deliciousness, but here, the calamari was deep-fried in a style reminiscent of onion rings, and the cheese selection felt basic in both quality and presentation. Among the choices, the olives stood out as the most enjoyable. Our experience with the main courses was also underwhelming, and we would encourage the restaurant to explore more culinary options, as well as offer the feedback to the chef. Additionally, there's room for improvement in the presentation and etiquette associated with wine 🍷. It's customary, when a non-house wine is ordered, to open the bottle at the table and offer at least one person a taste before serving. Unfortunately, on several occasions, we selected a non-house wine, and it arrived at our table in a jug. We never saw the bottle, had the chance to taste it, or witnessed the staff opening it. The jugs used were more reminiscent of milk jugs and not the customary way to serve wine. This aspect drew comments from everyone at our table, and addressing this issue could enhance the appreciation of customers when purchasing a bottle of wine. Most significantly, my husband, who has celiac disease, had a severe reaction after consuming what was purported to be gluten-free food at Mary's. We had specifically called to inquire about gluten-free options before making the reservation, and we also informed our waitress about his dietary needs. Despite these precautions, cross-contamination occurred, and he fell ill. This is a serious concern as it poses a significant health risk for individuals with celiac disease. It might be wise for Mary's to reconsider offering gluten-free options unless they can guarantee the prevention of cross-contamination. This experience has left my husband and his celiac community apprehensive about revisiting the bar, which is unfortunate, as the establishment holds great potential.