El Cortador Tapas Bar — Restaurant in Folkestone and Hythe District

Disappointed experience. Dined here a year ago, but would not recommend any more. Hostile manager ruined a recent dinner celebration for my partners birthday. Our party of 11 was too much for the restaurant to handle. Booking simply should not have been accepted. We were the other half of the restaurant. Left within 10 minutes of sitting as apparently our increase in volume was too much for neighbouring dinners to accept. Naturally when a group arrives, volumes increase. Accusation of rudeness and bad behaviour was simply untrue as it was not mentioned on the evening, it was the volume which our party brought to the restaurant that simply caused the issue and perhaps because we were group of aged 30+ trendy locals and from a far. The hostile ‘warning’ received at the table for all of the restaurant to hear was humiliating with the words of “lower your volume because this isn’t working for us” was poor service. The entire restaurant lowered its volume before all raising again. The lack of experience to not approach the lead booker to make such request is something to be learnt. The RM failed to see the bigger picture that our party of 11 were to spend a hefty amount of monies compared to the supposed complaining tables of two. On request for more glasses, these would have only been honoured if we were even quieter. We were a party of 11. Why have us in the restaurant! Place us somewhere better or not at all!. When I asked the RM would he prefer if we left, he said yes and so we did. Uplifting the group was a shock to not only us but the other diners too, although apparently they clapped when we left, yet when stood outside in shock this was not true. Our neighbouring table apologised we were leaving with no other place booked. We did not pay for the consumed wine at the start of arrival as we took this as a form of compensation. Thanks to the team at Bella Vita who did manage to move empty tables and accommodate our group.

The waiting staff were however pleasant, and whilst it may be good for couples or tables of 4, it is...

We were seated out the back and asked to wait whilst our table was cleaned which was no real issue.. Then seated and ordered 4 dishes to start off the cold food menu however when they were brought over we noticed one plate was missing that we had ordered . We waited and waited over 30mins assuming someone would come over so we could tell them or it would come out and we could order some mains off the hot menu to which it didn't. Nobody returned so I then approached the staff at the bar to ask where it was, as no one had come back to our table.. at this point I was asked to name and shame the waitress which I thought was very odd and inappropriate ..the restaurant only has 7 tables and I said I'm pretty sure you can work it out yourselves! . At this point we had now waited over 45 mins, no one had been over or asked for any new drinks or any further dishes off the menu, tables around us were being waited on constantly and had numerous dishes served. When we complained we got an apology but that was it, no actual resolution, just that we are busy.. As locals we won't go back, We have been lots of times before over the years but unfortunately it seems to have gone down hill. There was no offer to make things better just a case of sorry we are busy, which they really weren't compared to how many staff they had on and the fact there's only about 7 tables in the whole restaurant ..it was more of a case we had been forgotten completely.... There's so many places in Folkestone now I have to be honest and say, go elsewhere, you will receive better service and attention for your money, I won't be back with my friends and family or recommend this...

Take your own bread 🍞 Had been to this place before and found the food pretty good so decided to arrange a lunch for my daughter's birthday. Only the 3 of us. Arrived a little early to an empty room but that didn't worry me. After a few minutes we were asked if we would like to order so explained we were waiting for the birthday girl, presents 🎁 were sitting on the table. I then felt awkward so thought I should order something so ordered a bottle of wine. On my daughters arrival, we were again asked for our order extremely premature as she had only just sat down. I then asked the person at the front desk if they were closing early or maybe had another booking for our table and would understand if we needed to be a little quicker with our meal. She said no, we had the table for the afternoon. With that settled we went on to order our tapas, 2 each plus a meat platter costing £10.50. The food arrived smelling lovely especially the large prawns in garlic butter. Thinking they must have forgotten to bring some bread to eat with the meat and to dip in the delicious garlic sauce we asked about the forgotten bread and they went on to explain that we would have to order it separately at a cost. In all my experience I have never been so flabbergasted that bread was not given with the meal we had ordered. Very stingy in my opinion and as well as feeling like they wanted to get us out as quickly as possible I can only feel very disappointed with our visit to this restaurant. I also thought it was quite expensive for the amount of food given. Needless to say will not be returning. Shame as the quality of the...