Pollino

Arrived on time for our booking, but table not ready, so we bought a drink in the bar. 15 minutes later we got our table, a great window seat with a lovely view, and we had a fabulous waitress keen to meet my dietary gluten free and lactose intolerance needs as per their request on the menu? Starters arrived in minutes, and there was hardly a gap before main course arrived. We were asked about our food within minutes of it arriving, I hadn’t even cut into my fish swimming in sauce. Unfortunately there was so much salt on it, it was impossible to eat and in less than an hour of arriving (including 15 min wait we were done. We both couldn’t eat anymore and each left a good third of our main course. Let’s be clear, my husband who is usually heavy handed with the salt pot at home, had plain fish platter, and he did not add salt to his meal as no salt pot on the table. I had Swordfish with a sauce. Both meals came without any accompaniments these are extra on the bill. We eat out a lot, this was pricey for a starter, main without accompaniments and a bottle of wine, even taking into consideration the 10% discount off the two main courses due to the salt, the bill was £107 payable. I think we bought the view, which we weren’t able to enjoy for too long, and it’s exactly the same as the free one from the road side, without so much noise and clattering. At 8pm you don’t expect to eat two courses and drink wine in 45 mins, I can confirm what others have said about cramming tables in, and constantly having staff pushing past the end of the table. At one point four staff were chatting one almost sat on my right shoulder to the table close behind. So disappointed it was our second visit, there won’t be a third. Their loss as we are loyal diners eating at places we like at least 4 times a month, as one of your waiters will testify as per the last place he worked, he will also tell you, we tip well and appreciate good food. I notice other have mentioned in reviews about meals including pasta being salty. I think it’s absolutely hilarious that you say we sent empty plates back to the kitchen yet several staff including the chef tasted our meals and didn’t find them salty. What did they do? Lick the plates?

Good food and service, gluten free options. Not cheap but worth it.