''Not Only Spaghetti'' - ex Stones — Restaurant in Caernarfon

A tale of two halfs ..

The reason for this rating is just in regards to Covid rules.

The restaurant is lovely, the staff were pleasant and the food is fantastic - the best we've had all week!

However, from a tourist who has never been there before it looked like nothing had changed from before corona, we were sat together in a small restaurant space, no screens provided. When we spoke to someone that I assume was the manager at the end of the night because we had commented on the lack of lack of social distancing, one table was pointed out to say it wasnt used for social distancing measures, I would say at least three should have been taken out. I was sat back to back with another table, the manager said this was because a previous table had overstayed there allotted time limit so they were forced to use this, I was not informed upon booking that we had a time slot, although once we had paid the bill and we made comments on the lack of social distancing we were told our time was up! We were also pointed to a sign that said all things were sanitised nightly - brilliant, except the tables were laid as you would have expected in a normal italian restaurant so if you came later into the night you are sat on a table with a table cloth, flowers etc that have been on the table the whole time (lovely, just not in these circumstances!) Additionally, the toilets, all other restaurants we've been to there has been a one in one out policy on single sex toilets with multiple cubicles, no signs here in the toilets and the male and females share a basin. We were also pointed to the fact that they were using outside to help with social distancing, the tables were just as squashed outside and god knows what would have happened if it was raining because two customers walked in in the time we were there and were told they were fully booked. Finally, they are not on the eat out to help out scheme, when we rang they apologised for this due to them being a small business, that was fine by us because the reviews said how good the food was, which is their saving grace. Nevertheless, without adhering to social distancing rules they probably are not taking a hit due to coronavirus in comparison to other businesses that we have seen doing a good job. Coupled with their menu prices that are towards the higher end (not Michelin but for the area quite expensive) they could probably afford it. So in summary, if you're cautious about covid absolutely do not go, but if you value food...

Visited based on the local trip advisor ratings and was underwhelmed with its over rated status to be honest It was a quaint setting and very much part of the attempts at Italian authenticity let down by the cheap welsh flags and mixed decor. Menu inside is not what is on offer outside. Seafood pasta tempting outside including "2 scallops" inside no scallops mentioned on menu and none appeared in our dishes when ordered.

Inside menu is reduced in choice and ingredients inside.

As a table of four two of us ordered the above mentioned scallop free dish. Mine did not arrive and I had to ask about its whereabouts!! Were they catching fresh fish for it ? No it had not been put through so my dish arrived two thirds into my families consumption of their meal!

The food was enjoyable but table service a bit faulty towers level

The drunks were basically dropped in front of us by the young waitress, to the point where we thought one of us thought we would be wearing it!!!

A second round of 'identical' drinks were thrust at us as a gesture of good will for the late arrival of my food which was appreciated had it been done with some sort of apology/ manners. identifying the correct colour wine for my wife would not have gone a miss. The better option would have been an apology and removal of our ordered drinks instead. As I was driving a second beer was inappropriate in these circumstances. To assist in the service provided I suggest they have an experienced server who can address customer complaints/ service issues The staff are trained in which glassware is used for which drink. A gin glass is not for rose wine !!! I had to ask for the correct glass! If serving 330ml bottled beer use half pint glasses. Not one with a pint and the other with a shorts glass! Neither suitable or professional Use matching crockery for the same dishes. Seafood pasta in a bowl yes. Mine on a dinner plate no! I like rustic but not "outback" Sort out window display to reflect what is truly available and expected inside. Doesn't take a lot to put daily...

Upon arriving the staff were quite miserable but not rude so didn't think much of it. I ordered the carbonara and my friend ordered the seafood pasta. My carbonara just tasted like scrambled eggs in water. Tried my best but was unable to eat it. The seafood pasta was plain, dry pasta with no sauce and a mixture of seafood which was clearly frozen as it was watery and un fresh. When they came to collect our plates they asked if everything was ok with the food so we said we didn't like it but didn't go into much detail as we didn't want to offend. We are not usually the type to complain. The response from the waitress was "we've never had complaints about these before" - no apology, very defensive. The chef then came out very aggressively shouting asking who's dishes were these and was questioning us what was wrong with it so we said in more detail. It was very embarrassing as everyone in the restaurant was watching. When I said the carbonara was too eggy she stated all the ingredients how to make carbonara which was very patronizing. She claimed the water was a sauce made out of cream. Not sure why you would use cream if making a traditional Italian carbonara... Again no apology from the chef. However they did take some of the price off our dishes (we didn't expect that and weren't trying to get that but was a nice gesture) When we went to pay then they said that it was cash only which they didn't inform us at first so one of us had to go get cash out while the other stayed. No thank you or good bye when we left. Very uncomfortable experience. Felt like we were on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares! Do...