Pho Bristol — Restaurant in Bristol

I visited earlier today, after being told there was no space by someone who appeared to be the maitre d', we were told a table wouldn't be available for an hour and a half.

There are tables set with sauce and cutlery outside, so I ask—in my mind sensibly—whether we could sit outside. Apparently not possible because they're not being waited on. Okay, fine .. perhaps we could order food to go and use the tables. This is greeted by a flat out no.

The specifics of the conversation aren't particularly egregious, but the manner in which they are spelt out is quite frankly rude.

Felt more like this particular member of staff was delusionally playing a role in a film adaptation of the ritz, rather than the perfectly nice chain Vietnamese restaurant I've become accustomed to over the years.

I had to cut in and ask whether take away food was in fact available. After establishing it was, I ordered the food. Given an indication that we can go and have a drink (i.e. wait somewhere else) so we wait patiently outside.

This whole episode had left me annoyed.

When I eventually walked to the harbourside with my dinner date, I found that I had actually been given something I hadn't ordered and there wasn't even a spoon for my friend's pho.

I head back while my friend eats. I wait for the replacement, all the while growing visibly annoyed. A different member of staff eventually arrives with the replacement, expecting me to be happy and head off on my way.

Now, if I had received this service in a restaurant at a table, there are certain things I would expect.

A sincere apology. Perhaps a reason for mix up, perhaps the staff are busy and overworked. Accidents happen. I would have understood. The meal with my friend has been ruined, but accidents do happen.

None of this occurred.

After expressing my annoyance, the guy delivering my order suggests a can of coke as compensation.

I'm now furious. I ask for the money back for my order. I should not have needed to ask for this.

After waiting for five excruciating minutes while he tried to operate the card machine I'm told he needs to get cash. I'm given the cash and leave feeling so angry and frustrated my entire evening is ruined.

This was the single worse experience I've had in a restaurant.

So incredibly disappointed that a restaurant I've enjoyed is subject to such appalling service.

If I was in a position where I could change things for the better, I'd want to know; hence this...

My rating is as high as it is because of the food. Oh my god the food. I've ate here over 15 times and ordered delivery perhaps 10+ times, and I just cannot get enough. I'd highly recommend their chicken and shrimp fried rice, beef brisket pho and their lemongrass pork meatballs (for vegans, their mushroom fried rice and super green pho with added fried tofu is also unbelievably amazing and vegan prawn crackers?! awesome), but anything I eat there I would DIE for. The food is just fantastic.

I docked a star because I have literally never had quality service. Waiting times, even when they're empty is very long (typically 30+ mins after ordering, I have waited over 20 mins when they're almost-empty just to be asked about drinks) and every server I have had seemingly hated me for daring to buy food there, dirty looks, rude tone, everything. I've brought friends and family here; they've all noticed the same thing (no, none of us have ever been anything other than friendly, non-complaining, and no complex or weird substitute orders, no allergies, literally nothing wait-staff could be upset by, all of us are very quiet and polite). It sucks because they auto-add a server gratuity to your bill that is just very uncomfortable to ask them to remove (I never have, 'cos the FOOD), but really, when the service is so dreadful it does rankle that you're basically automatically tipping such rubbish. I have never had such bad service anywhere haha.

Either way, I'd HIGHLY recommend coming here because the food is just so-freaking-good! It doesn't matter about the service, the food is what you're really paying for and it is absolute gold! My favourite restaurant...

Disappointing. We rarely eat out as we are a family of 5. But on a trip to see family and do some sights in Bristol, I decided Pho would be perfect as I'm gluten intolerant and there was no need to worry about it there. There were 8 of us in total. However on entering we found the music so loud we couldn't be heard, it was also cold as we were facing the door which was frequently opened, by people wanting a table and then being turned away. It took an age to get our order taken, (drinks, starters and mains all at the same time) and again it was difficult as the waiter couldn't hear us properly. The food arrived after not too long a wait. Sadly we were disappointed by the noodle soup. 3 of us had prawns but there were only 5 in each, yet those of us who had chicken had ample. It wasn't enough for the price. 2 of my children had the hot and spicy, which wasn't, it was mild and sour. Such a shame as we had high hopes of an enjoyable meal, but with the noise and cold and mediocre food we were glad to leave. The nail in the coffin, was the service charge, £25 on an over £200 bill, which is outrageous enough, but then you have to request the waiter to take it off, (some would find that intimidating) then you get the device back and again its put it back on, and you have to select the small unhighighted text at the bottom to remove it again. This is sneaky and underhand and I'm sure many people get caught out and just end up paying it. This needs to be changed and I think worthy of a report to...