Gidi Grill, Aberdeen — Restaurant in Aberdeen City

I am not sure I would recommend this place as we went on Valentine's day and it was a complete disaster. The food was absolutely devine but the service left much to be desired.

We got to the restaurant on time, after having reserved a table more than a week before and we ended up waiting over 20 minutes at the door with other people who had a reservation at the same time. For what I was able to understand, the staff had given all the reserved tables to walk-ins and they no longer knew how to manage the situation.

After having been shown our table the situation got even worse. We waited another half an hour just to get the menus and when we finally succeeded in ordering our drinks, the order never made it to the bar (we were sitting in front of it and we could see the barman and a waitress engaged in what I can only assume was a rather interesting conversation as they seemed to have a very good time despite the hungry customers).

We called the waitress over to remind her about our drinks and to ask if she could take our food order. After telling us that we had to make sure we ordered everything at once as the kitchen was closing (which was shocking considering that our reservation was originally at 8:30), she started being very nice.

We waited another half an hour (it was now 10pm) and the food finally arrived. We only had to ask for ketchup twice before it made it to our table but, considering we had already waited an hour and a half, the speed exceeded our expectations.

I think the most disappointing part of the night is that it did not seem to matter whether you had a reservation or not as just before 9pm a women entered the restaurant, skipped the queue and despite not having a reservation was the first person to be served (We then discovered that she was a friend of our waitress as they hugged before she left).

When the queue realised what was happening they started complaining which triggered a traumatising series of events: one waitress went histerical as she couldn't handle the complaints and started shouting at everyone saying that they had to just wait their turn (which wasn't respected), a second waitress lied explaining that the customer did indeed have a reservation when we had all seen her asking for one and she said she didn't (she also tried to say that the customer had already been in asking for a table which made no sense considering the lack of reservation and the fact that the waitress did not initially recognise the customer) and I got accidentally punched in the back by a customer who, in the attempt to convey his anger, started swinging his arms violently.

If one ignores the complete lack of service, the possible violent customers and the extremely long waits then this restaurant is definitely a place to try. The food was very tasty even though its flavour might have been improved by the fact that we...

Went as a party of 8 with a booked table.

Table was prepared late.

When we were seated we were not given food menus. We had to ask the server for this when he came round to ask for our food.

When the server was taking our orders, he left in the middle of taking our order three times to speak to people at the door who were otherwise more than happy to wait a minute or two until someone could see to them.

Orders were noted incorrectly, despite us even pointing to the menu item.

There seemed to be some assumption that as we were mostly white that we would want chips. The server was incredibly surprised when asked for the rice as described on the menu, and no so in a good way.

Asked if we wanted prawns with our rice, and only after said "that's £9 extra". I changed my mind on that.

Drinks were handed over awkwardly instead of placed on table. An unopened bottle of beer was handed to me almost horizontally and then a bar blade just stuck in my face for me to open it.

Could not understand the explanation about the "welcome drink" included as part of the set menu. They refused to provide a beer. Did not provide drink options. The bar staff then came over with a sangria and demanded I take it when I said I didn't want it.

One of us was still eating, knife and fork in hand, mouth full and still food on plate, and one of the servers came over to demand to know if we were still eating. Watched awkwardly until he could respond.

They charged included meal elements as extras. They almost became confrontational and I had to spell out that the meal item included the rice.

When we wanted to split the bill 4 ways, they could only take 3 card payments.

Food was otherwise tasty, but expensive for the portion...

It was my 68th birthday.. I pinged for African food as I grew up there I reserved a table for 2 as there was no option for one I arrived early and looked at the prices on the menu. I wanted the beef stew but it was £19:99 as was the Mac N Cheese. I feel that the prices are unreasonable. There were not many patrons there quite a few white people and some Nigerian couples. My hopes of meeting a lady there were unrealistic. I ordered lamb suya which was a starter of BBQ lamb slices and a small green salad £10 and a side of chips £4 The lamb was so moist and tender but there was not enough. The chips were in a small basket and were crispy and not greasy. Afro beats set the mood and after my 3rd can of Red Stripe lager (Jamaican) I got a bit teary eyed I ordered plantain cake and ice cream which came with caramel sauce and a little dab of whipped cream and a sliced strawberry on top. It was heavenly. In the back of my head I thought I had spent about £25 I was a bit shocked when the bill came it was £43. The Red stripe was about 4.99 for a 330ml can The service was great and the beer was cold and it was very chilled. I think the resteraunts is more Jamaica/American food oriented to cater to the English who are unfamiliar with African food. I wanted grilled tilapia and yam but not able to order off the menu. The resteraunt is spotless bright and uncluttered. Food presentation and quality also good. I gave 4 stars because of the prices and portion size and it's not a pure...