Vapiano Nicholas Street, Ipswich — Restaurant in Ipswich City

I like supporting the new restaurants in Nicholas St precinct but sadly we found this place lacking.

Drinks were ordered and eventually arrived but only half the glass was filled. We were then left sitting for a long time with no service and had to call out to a waiter to take our food order. She left and came back with an ipad. We ordered a share entrée and 2 mains and were asked "if we mind paying now”. I found it weird to be asked to pay in advance for food in a restaurant with table service. Entree was delivered but no small plates were supplied. We had to ask for these. Before we had finished entrée, mains were brought out, with no space on the table to put it. Mains were then taken back to the kitchen to sit under the lamps while we finished entrees.

Another drink was ordered (without request for payment) and the wrong drink was delivered, and then sent back for the correct one. Unlike the first, this one was the full 150 mls standard size drink. Mains were delivered for the second time, the food was reasonable, although the sauce tasted very strongly of wheat flour. When leaving the restaurant a staff member said goodbye to us, and I had to remind them we hadn't yet paid for drinks. Paying one bill at the end would be preferable than having drinks and food in separate transactions.

Hopefully things improve if this restaurant is to compete with other...

Food - as far as vapiano goes the carbonara was better than other locations. Pizza was great. The complementary bread was focaccia, some pieces were good and other where a bit stale (not horrible, just a little dryer).

Service - the majority of the customer service team were really nice and accomodating, especially the gentleman that looked after our table. Though we were told that we would be kicked out in an hour and thirty minutes, before we had even sat down - this was at 4pm with a booking. I assume they didn’t end up needing our table as we stayed for two hours without staff telling us to leave.

Atmosphere - seating arrangements and aesthetic of the venue was nice, though the music was pumping, to the point when I spoke to staff on arrival he asked me to repeat myself because he couldn’t hear me over the music. For a vapiano (which I frequent other locations) I just didn’t feel like this suited the brand as they are generally a family restaurant. My baby didn’t like getting blasted with music which made my experience a little difficult, but others may...

With an average 4.8 score we ventured here with quiet anticipation for a good experience, oh dear that's where it ended. First time in a restaurant where table service is provided and then asked to pay before receiving the actual food and drinks,accepted it and paid. Our starters arrived,well 2 out of 3 did but I immediately noticed a black hair in a white sauce which came with the fried gnocci,how it wasn't noticed before it left the kitchen is mind boggling. Asked where the 3rd starter was,told 3 minutes,12 minutes later no 3rd starter but the mains appeared and magically so did our 3rd starter. My fettuccine ragu whilst mildly warm was bland,tasteless with absolutely no attempt at any seasoning,copious amounts of black pepper could not revive it. The other 2 diners with me said the same,one even suggesting that the pasta dishes made in the microwave were tastier. At $6 shy of $150 for this which included drinks,I'd have expected a higher standard of food..will not be hurrying back and asked to recommend or not recommend I'll simply say...