Pollino — Restaurant in Calderdale

Arrived on time for our booking, but table not ready, so we bought a drink in the bar. 15 minutes later we got our table, a great window seat with a lovely view, and we had a fabulous waitress keen to meet my dietary gluten free and lactose intolerance needs as per their request on the menu?

Starters arrived in minutes, and there was hardly a gap before main course arrived. We were asked about our food within minutes of it arriving, I hadn’t even cut into my fish swimming in sauce. Unfortunately there was so much salt on it, it was impossible to eat and in less than an hour of arriving (including 15 min wait we were done. We both couldn’t eat anymore and each left a good third of our main course.

Let’s be clear, my husband who is usually heavy handed with the salt pot at home, had plain fish platter, and he did not add salt to his meal as no salt pot on the table. I had Swordfish with a sauce. Both meals came without any accompaniments these are extra on the bill.

We eat out a lot, this was pricey for a starter, main without accompaniments and a bottle of wine, even taking into consideration the 10% discount off the two main courses due to the salt, the bill was £107 payable. I think we bought the view, which we weren’t able to enjoy for too long, and it’s exactly the same as the free one from the road side, without so much noise and clattering. At 8pm you don’t expect to eat two courses and drink wine in 45 mins, I can confirm what others have said about cramming tables in, and constantly having staff pushing past the end of the table. At one point four staff were chatting one almost sat on my right shoulder to the table close behind. So disappointed it was our second visit, there won’t be a third. Their loss as we are loyal diners eating at places we like at least 4 times a month, as one of your waiters will testify as per the last place he worked, he will also tell you, we tip well and appreciate good food. I notice other have mentioned in reviews about meals including pasta being salty.

I think it’s absolutely hilarious that you say we sent empty plates back to the kitchen yet several staff including the chef tasted our meals and didn’t find them salty. What did they do?...

Unable to give 0 stars. Restaurant overbooked and staff didn't look like they were keeping guests to times. Looked like pandemonium. Waited 15 mins for a "table" to be ready. Front of house then tried to fob us off on a table upstairs in a corner of a bar area. Table had no restaurant atmosphere, loud music (looked like there was also a DJ setting up), oh and was next to the toilet (see photo). After telling the waitress we wanted to be seated in the restaurant proper, we got a few confused sulky looks and were asked to wait longer. We'd been polite at this point but a grand total of 45 minutes later and having already bitterly sunk money into the drinks I went downstairs to ask if getting a table was even going to be possible this evening. The waitress reminded me that "toilet table" had already been offered and nobody else was leaving. After explaining a second time why we weren't prepared to be shoved in the toilet corner the waitress explained to me something to the tube of "well people come here for the food, not the atmosphere". Gripping as this lesson was in why people might choose to eat out, it was both patronising and incorrect. We gave up and went elsewhere for dinner.

It's a shame because I've been here before around when it first opened and the place was fine, but I wouldn't chance it again on a busy night. They had clearly overbooked and weren't asking guests to clear tables. While I don't think the waitress meant to be rude and was probably having a stressful evening, she certainly didn't help matters with her lesson in restaurant economics.

Not going to hold this place to the same standard as I would a decent Mayfair restaurant, but if I'm going to spend money on food, at least get the basics of table management right. Ultimately, the management shouldn't be squeezing guests into every nook and cranny to rinse as much money as possible from a Saturday night and should think more about the customer experience on long term implications of doing so.

Pickin chicken in King Cross was, however, on...

We had a large booking of 20 at this, initially unknown to us, amazing venue on the 11th Nov, for a 70th birthday celebration. My wife actually made the group booking, and she has an extensive background in hospitality management, so she knows her stuff... She initially tried booking other establishments before Pollino's, but wasn't happy with the cut of their jib. We were all so glad she stumbled upon this absolute gem of an Italian restaurant, it was just fantastic, from initial booking, to the very last spoon of dessert. Myself & my wife had our 7 year old daughter with us, and the waiter that looked after our clan (I think his name was Chip?) was truly brilliant, not only with our full group, but especially with our daughter. He really went above & beyond, in looking after the whole party. We honestly cannot sing his praises highly enough... When dining out, the service is a HUGE part of the experience, and he really did ensure our experience was enjoyable & stress free. The food was absolutely on point. Not a single person in our group had any complaint, which when catering a group of 20, is not easy & pretty exceptional. Lots of credit to the chef's. So finally, I message the management/owners direct,,, Your venue is lovely, but your staff (Chip especially), are absolutely amazing. They make the dining experience the best it can be. Please please, recognise & reward their professionalism, with a cash reward, they really deserve it. We shall definitely be returning, now that we know of Pollino's. Many thanks to the whole team, for a...