Giggling Squid - Bracknell — Restaurant in England

Had a table booked for 7pm today for my sons birthday and they knew that as we had told them when booking. I wasn't expecting them to make a fuss or anything, just had asked for a nice table. Upon entering they didn't really see to care offer us 2 tables one next to the prep.area downstairs and the the other upstairs next to the window over looking the derelict work site beyond the premises. Not to mention this are was freezing cold. Apparently the nicer tables are only for parties of 5 and above! HOW NICE!

Ordering was slow. We waited 45mins to recieve 2 of our 4 starters, which were literally thrown on the cutlery laid on the table as this un mannered waiter hurried to deliver orders to other customers. We then waited for the rest. Although I had asked the assistant while ordering that we would be sharing these there were no individual plates supplied. I finally got someone's attention and to be honest this person who actually was only new to this branch was a god send. They didn't know where the other starters were or if they were even ordered and now these 2 sitting on the table were cold. He managed to resolve this but then the squid was overcooked to a crisp. Lovely!! They did take that back and took it off the bill. HOW KIND OF YOU!

Food finally came 1hr 30mins in, and our "signature" dished were cold. When I asked, they said they would see if they could be redone, I just told them to microwave it as i just couldn't carry this on, and they did. WOW! Food was bland, and two signature beef dishes, which were suppose to be completely different were near enough same other then the sauce. Green beans were straight out of the packet and super crunchy. TASTY!! Rice dishes were cold and egg fried came with an extra serving of cling film. The assistant from Wokingham, was extremely helpful but I just couldn't go on complaining about how aweful this place was. In his words "I would offer you the desert menu but as its really busy it's probably not a good idea". REALLY, WHAT!!

Do I need to say anymore.. £132.00 bill with £13 in gratuity for what exactly?? For us to sit there get ignored while 3 waiting staff members stand around giggling, For cold below average food, then to be microwaved and served, for 1 paper serviette each. For me to ask for more drinks and recive them once we have finished our meals. We just wanted to get out. Worst experiance ever! Never again...

Really disappointing experience today, I love giggling squid but will not be visiting this branch ever again. This was booked for a group meal for my birthday and let’s start with the fact our reservation wasn’t there - we showed up 30 mins earlier and were accommodated with no issues - which is why I gave 2 stars not 1. It would have been a different story if they didn’t accommodate us since we have booked a table and the issue of losing our booking was on their side. From there it was downhill only, long wait for someone to take orders, bring drinks, bring food. Just very very slow and they weren’t even busy. Both of my cocktails were terrible, ordered peach gin - tasted like sour lemon, then ordered lychee and elderflower martini- also tasted like sour lemon and had no mixer in so had to ask for a top up. I am convinced those drinks were made wrong. Waitress brought us veg rolls instead of duck rolls. My pad thai was 90% bean sprouts, barely any noodles and no usual egg net on top. We actually asked to half the service charge because the service was so slow and appalling, they all just seemed all over the place with no organisation. The biggest let down was that my fiance actually mentioned it was my birthday when they booked a table so we expected something nice but then, of course, the booking got lost so nothing was done for me, its just not good enough and it’s really disappointing.

Edit I have now changed this to one star - complained to them on the main website and response was an apology and comment that we had money off our bill so they hope it’s resolved - clearly confused us with someone else because we absolutely didn’t get neither discount nor apology from the staff on the day, must have been a terrible evening if someone else complained. However, I responded to the email twice now on Monday and Tuesday saying I am unhappy with the resolution and its echo silence from them, don’t want to deal with the issue, which only made me more disappointed in Giggling...

Food (as always) was awesome. Prices seemed to have shot up (faster than the cost of living).

The new restaurant is beautiful. I just hope the two floors get used as only downstairs used on Sunday afternoon lunch!

Service was absolutely terrible. As we sit down, we are there two mins and asked if we were ready (we were two adults, two kids, so kids need time), asked to come back, 1 min later different waitress asks the same question! Again asked for time. No-one then came back for 20 mins!!!

Food was served and waiter knocks pint of water everywhere. OK it happens.. but no apology!! Comes back with a few paper napkins! I had to explain what he needed to do. After a faff clears up table. Had to then ask for new cutlery and napkins etc. as waiter took away! Had to ask them to then get a mop as they left water on floor (alot). Eventually half cleaned up.. Still no apology! 5 mins into eventually eating manger comes up and asks if everything is OK? Said Food was great but still lots of water on floor (he could not mop). Still no apology. Spent rest of meal with feet in water as it was still not mopped up!

As we left new shift manager by door. Did not even bother to say bye or thank you or any energy to acknowledge us despite looking straight at us as we left! Hope they get this side sorted as we do...