La Zenia Spanish Tapas & Cocktails — Restaurant in Gedling

Visited La Zenia on NYE. My wife booked the table a couple of weeks in advance. When we arrived it was clear something was amiss. We assume they couldn’t find our booking. I say that because we were left standing around for around 15 mins with nobody acknowledging us further. Eventually my wife showed them our confirmed reservation. We were then led upstairs and were placed on a table that had clearly been hastily arranged. It was ridiculous. We were sandwiched between the two rows of tables which run the perimeter of the already small room. (In fact, if you look at the online photos of the restaurant you can clearly see that this table isn’t ordinarily there). Basically we were sat in the aisle that the staff use to attend the tables. I was virtually sat on the neighbouring table to my left, they were literally inches away. No sooner had we been sat down we were informed that the table would be needed for 9pm. It was now already 7.45, because of their mix up. We eventually ordered and our 6 dishes of tapas were brought to us within minutes. A plate was barely finished before it was taken away. It was clear we were now being rushed. We were beginning to feel like a hinderance. The only saving grace of the whole experience was the service of the 2 young ladies. They were extremely apologetic and recognised that we had been treated poorly. One of them admitted that something had gone wrong. More people had arrived in a larger party and as such our table had been moved to accommodate. Even other customers were looking over and could see that we were uncomfortable. I have to say that what is most disappointing is that the behaviour of the two young ladies was in stark contrast to the owner/manager who completely ignored us and the clearly unacceptable situation. To leave it to two young and inexperienced members of staff to ‘front’ things out is poor. She was more than happy to take our money though and was nowhere to be seen when we left. It was all just a huge shame and disappointment. I genuinely felt like just walking out when we were shown our table. But when you arranged a babysitter, both gotten ready for a night out and are both looking forward to the evening I didn’t want to cause a scene or ruin other diners nights. We were in fact in and out of the place within 45 mins, so they got their table back for 9 anyway. Unfortunately for La Zenia there are local (and city centre) tapas restaurants/bars which do the whole experience much better, where you are made to feel welcome and valued. It’ll be these that we’ll return to,...

Edit* After reading the reply to my original review from the owner (whom I was told was not even present at the time) I am infuriated that such lies have been told. We were told our designated table was upstairs and it wasn't a 5 minute wait, it was half an hour. We were absolutely never offered drinks while we waited, never received an apology and were never told the table downstairs was for us but that they could 'squeeze us in there' if we didn't want to wait for our original table. I don't like liars or blatant lies being told about me or my family.

Have been looking forward to visiting for months! We live behind the high street and eat out locally a few times a week to support all the local businesses. Booked a table for 8pm and invited family to join us too. Turned up at 8pm and stood awkwardly standing next to people eating whilst we waited around 3 minutes for anyone to even acknowledge us. There was also a couple waiting behind us. We were then told that our table would be ready at 8.30pm. No apology or offer of somewhere to sit and wait, I pointed out that there was a table of 4 free in the corner to which they replied that it belonged to the couple who had come in behind us. That seemed extremely strange and I asked why they got the table of 4 when they came in after us, but we had to wait, they said that was their 'assigned table'. I definitely think there needs to be a fairer system there., When we said we didn't want to wait until 8.30 they said if we really wanted that they could 'squeeze us onto a table downstairs' which of course didn't sound very appealing. We decided to eat elsewhere and as we walked away the manager said we were being unreasonable. These thing do happen, but I think the lack of an apology and way we were spoken to and dealt with was unacceptable. Ended up in Allora and had an amazing meal, great service and were seated promptly. Unfortunately, we will not be going back there and will continue to enjoy the other fantastic places on the high street instead....

I wanted to love this place, I really did. I love a local, independent restaurant. However, on arrival we were sat at the teeniest little table jammed up against the window near the door and before our bums had even hit the seat we were told we only had the table till 9pm (booking was 7.30pm), and they would serve us our food as quickly as possible. Errrr.... OK, not the most relaxing or welcoming thing to be greeted with! Menu was good, some interesting options and authentic Spanish. We were advised 3 tapas per person and maybe a flatbread to share. We duly ordered quickly, conscious of the time ticking by. We were reminded again by staff that the table was needed back at 9pm. ALL the food arrived VERY quickly but in one go... which I've never experienced in a tapas bar.. the joy is little morsels come in a steady stream. Needless to say it was virtually impossible to fit it all on the tiny table. Food was pleasant, the meatballs were tasty. I found the croquette a bit stodgy. Aubergine was interesting and something I'd not had before. We were asked if we wanted dessert and handed menus, with a THIRD reminder that the table was needed at 9pm. We pointed out that it was only 8.40pm. To be honest, it made me not want to stay any longer as we were clearly in the way. Given the amount of money we spent (£40 per head for 3 tapas and a large glass of wine each plus one shared flatbread).... it didn't feel like good value for a hurried meal in little over an hour. We left and went down the road to the amazing Alora for cocktails.... highly recommend. There we were warmly welcomed and happily whiled away 2 hours in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I think la zenia is possibly a victim of its own success... floor space is too small and cramped, so trying to capitalise by having to turn tables around too quickly. I'm sorry to say I won't be returning as I don't enjoy feeling rushed, and the food was pleasant but nothing mind blowing...