Rosa Restaurant Bolton — Restaurant in Bolton

The warning signs were evident when Rosa required us to pre-order five days in advance for my birthday dinner. Visiting from Melbourne and looking forward to dining with our UK family, we chose Rosa for its 4.5-star rating and appealing photos of rose garlands.

Our group consisted of 11 people, including two vegetarians and a 4-year-old. Although the starters took an exceptionally long time to arrive, the terrific cocktails kept everyone content. However, when our main courses were finally served, the vegetarian gnocchi was burnt. We sent it back, but it returned with merely fresh melted cheese on top while remaining inedible.

Management explained that the gnocchi was batch-cooked in the morning and reheated just before serving. They claimed our delay caused the issue, although we were not late; the delay was due to the starters taking 45 minutes to arrive. Another vegetarian dish, the cannelloni, was also too dry to be eaten.

Some of the wait staff were genuinely apologetic and tried to improve our experience, but the manager's approach to customer service needs improvement. Initially, our group was seated separately in a configuration of five and six, allegedly to facilitate easier service. When we pushed the tables together to sit as a family, management arrived and curtly instructed us to separate them again. Despite this, we maintained our seating arrangement.

On a positive note, the steak and fish dishes were well-prepared and freshly cooked, and the cocktails were excellent. Despite the challenges, we managed to enjoy...

Upon entering Rosa, with a confirmed booking for 6 people (4 children) on time, we were shown to the left hand side of the entrance to a waiting area, no one offered drinks or asked of any needs.

The table was then being set to the right of the entrance door (cold), not set prior and we was the only ones in that part of the building ordering food though there was a couple having a drink adjacent.

We requested could we move upstairs due to the draft and seating with children (couch) was not ideal. This was rudely rejected by the front of house.

Upon ordering food, we ordered 3 courses each. The starters came without any real issues tho on request of salt and pepper this didn't arrive despite asking on arrival of both starters and mains.

The mains then arrived in which we were very disappointed, firstly the beef was pre sliced and warmed, looked and tasted like a pre packed bedf from Tesco. Also we ordered 3 chicken roasts for the children as this was the only option on the menu but cane with beef and on request of chicken, the FoH argued we stated beef for them too which was incorrect. You did offer one replacement of chicken (meat only requested) this arrived some 15 mins later once all other meals were finished.

It took some 20 mins for the table to cleared and though the deserts was nice we asked for the bill twice before receiving.

On the whole a very poor experience considering only 2 months ago we had a very...

I really want to love Rosa. The staff are nice and the decor is amazing, they have really done well with it especially after opening when the pandemic hit hard.

However, after multiple visits now in order to 'give it another go' the food itself has always let the place down. Manchester city centre prices for food not much better than something you could get in the Red Lion down the road.

I understand it's expensive to run a restaurant especially in this current climate but it's probably more important to nail amazing food before an Instagram worthy space to eat.

I'll try again in a year's time and really hope they don't suffer the same fate as the last two occupants of the building.

Edit/Update: I will clarify that the Red Lion comparison was regarding a recent visit to Rosa for breakfast. Every other meal I've had their was certainly higher quality than the pub down the road but still I can't quite say justified the prices yet but there's loads of potential. Again, can not fault the venue itself or the staff and the food is by no means bad at all!

It's a shame the owner had to reply the way they did, showing me that they can't take constructive criticism without being insulted or blaming my taste buds. I was half hoping they'd at least try to work with me and maybe even ask if it was a specific dish I had ordered that I...