Haute Dolci — Restaurant in England

Second update (24.08.25), my first visit was brilliant. I’ve since booked two more visits and recommended to friends but dropping one more star as I was absolutely gutted that for my son’s birthday they didn’t do the dry ice birthday song, our kids would have loved that so much and our birthday celebration just fell flat. But appreciate the birthday song played and decorated plate, the whole thing would have been elevated with the novelty of the dry ice which I was excited to have my kids experience. The place was quiet with only one other table being used so easily could have gone that step further. Food was still good and staff were efficient.

First Update (14.08.25) (original review still stands). I’ve knocked off a star after my visit today (I have another visit booked later in August so will review again then). Today I booked the Rose Room Experience expecting something a bit more special for my husband’s birthday but it didn’t quite cut it. We arrived and immediately there was an issue with the table which kinda dampened my hubbies initial reaction which went from ‘ooh’ to ‘okay, we’ll go loo while you sort the table out’. Service was kinda slow but our server was nice, we both thought he seemed like a newbie to the job. We had no cutlery to eat our main meals with so just used fingers as staff not overly attentive. No vinegar. Asked for a jug of tap water but none was forthcoming. A lot of little flies hanging around the table. No birthday song like which I had though I didn’t mind this. Hoping my son get’s a birthday song when I bring him. It didn’t feel particularly special in the Rose Room. This was a very different visit from our first visit, also had to go looking for a staff member to pay our bill.

First/original review - My sister took me to Haute Dolci on Granby Street as an early birthday lunch today, I didn't know where she was taking me but glad she introduced me to this establishment. Firstly the pace is relaxed, not rushed like some eateries, I would say pleasantly leisurely and a nice way to have a natter and a general catch up. The team are really very nice; attentive and efficient, they surprised me with a lovely birthday song, needless to say I'm taking my son there later in August for a birthday treat, I know he'll love it. Seating is comfortable and not elbow to elbow, decor is very pleasing to the eye and the toilet area is clean too (unlike some places). The lunch menu was excellent; £20 for a main, a side, a dessert and a drink, the food was very flavoursome and just the right portion size, everything was so well presented and looked very appertising. It's so nice to visit a place that ticks all the boxes. I recommend to anyone looking for something a...

I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction with the service my party and I received during our recent visit to Haute Dolce in Leicestershire. Specifically, I would like to address the unprofessional and discourteous conduct exhibited by a staff member named Naveed.

A group of five of us visited your establishment with the expectation of enjoying a pleasant dining experience. Unfortunately, our interaction with Naveed was far from what one would anticipate from a reputable venue such as Haute Dolce.

During our visit, we requested tap water for our table, a standard and reasonable request in any hospitality setting. To our surprise, Naveed flatly refused, stating that your establishment does not provide tap water. This response was not only baffling but also felt dismissive and unreasonable. It is common knowledge that all dining establishments are legally required to provide access to free tap water upon request.

When we questioned this refusal, Naveed’s attitude came across as rude and arrogant. Rather than attempting to address our concerns politely or offer a reasonable explanation, he displayed a lack of professionalism and seemed unwilling to engage with us in a respectful manner. We felt pressured into purchasing bottled water at an inflated price of £4 per bottle, which left us feeling both frustrated and disappointed.

The role of customer service staff is to ensure guests feel welcomed and valued, but instead, Naveed’s demeanor made us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Exceptional service is often what distinguishes a great dining experience from an ordinary one, and unfortunately, Naveed’s approach fell far short of these expectations.

I trust that Holt Dolce prides itself on delivering excellent customer service and fostering a welcoming environment for all guests. This incident, however, does not align with those values, and it raises concerns about staff training and customer care standards within your establishment.

I would appreciate it if you could investigate this matter thoroughly and address the issue with Naveed to ensure no other patrons have a similar experience. Additionally, I would be grateful if you could clarify your establishment’s policy regarding the provision of tap water, as this situation has caused unnecessary confusion and dissatisfaction.

I look forward to receiving a response outlining the steps you plan to take to address this issue. Thank you for your time and attention to...

Came in by myself today and was seated quickly. The menu was okay, although there was a lot going on. A contents page at the front might be helpful. After looking through it, I waited to order as I assumed it was table service. It took a while to get anyone’s attention. The manager who initially seated me told me to wave him down, but he seemed more interested in chatting and was sitting with customers, which did not feel professional. He did eventually get up and started working.

I finally ordered food. From the time I was seated to placing my order, it took 25 minutes, which I would say is slightly too long.

Dessert was good when it arrived. I ordered a sundae, which was enjoyable. The only issue was that I needed a spoon. The server gave me one while holding it by the end I would be putting in my mouth. When I asked for a replacement, he provided one, but as he was leaving, the manager took the same spoon and put it into another person’s ice cream and served it. That really shocked me. The service could be better. The team looked very neutral with no smiles to customers or to me, although they seemed very happy when chatting among themselves. The prices compared to the portion sizes did not feel proportionate. I would say competitors offer better value for what they serve. I have been to other Haute Dolci locations in Leeds and Edinburgh where the service, food, and overall experience were great. It is a shame this branch does not meet those standards. Unfortunately, it is not somewhere I would choose to return to. I would suggest more training for the team, especially around food hygiene, including washing hands and not touching their faces while handling food. Not hate to the guys just...