Elena's Spanish Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Great Britain

The main waiter was super friendly and nice. However, as they have decided to only have one bar staff and one bartender that never leaves the bar, expect slow, slow, slow service.

This alone would be sort of ok if it wasn't for the general hectic organisation we had originally asked for an outside table which were told would be fine, only to specify it again at arrival and then be told there wasn't room as tables needed to be decontaminated.

We were told that if we were happy to wait then we could get one, great. Only for the table once cleared to be given to another group already seated in the restaurant?

Finally we were told that instead we would have to sit inside.

--------------------------Food----------------------- Once seated we ordered a couple pitchers of the most watered down sangria we've ever had served by the grumpiest bartender we've ever known. Accompanied with what can only be described as your typical British style tapas, chunky chips with a tomato style sauce served as "patatas bravas" a couple french cheeses with albeit some alright items in terms of the seafood.

Altogether, worth a try but will not be returning.

----------------Response from owner----------------- It appears that the current restrictions due to the Corona virus which has restricted the number of staff we can have behind the bar, as well as giving them more work to do, have passed you by. In addition the Government Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, coupled with the good weather has resulted in an unprecedented number of customers. While all are welcome, neither are expected to continue and it is not possible to find and hire trained staff at such short notice. As they used to say on analogue TV, "Normal Service will be resumed as soon a possible".

-------Following response from management---------- We do understand that the current state of affairs means there is more work for fewer people but ultimately you function on a reservation basis.

This means you are aware of the workload your staff will need to take on, you are in charge and able to manage your bookings theoretically.

You could choose to have fewer diners catered to in a better way, rather than choose the opposite.

The failure isn't on the staff but on the poor management choice being made here.

Understand this is to point out potential areas where you can improve, not drag you down.

We hope you find...

so me and my sister were so excited to try elenas and we were very disappointed.At first on arrival we sat down in the corner of the restaurant, the waitress took our order and was lovely we ordered a coke and a special cocktail. they came at different times receiving one half of the order then the next however the cocktail was lovely. While we were drinking the cocktail we received what I think was potato salad we had no idea as the waiter just placed it down and walked away. During ordering we notice that customers are beginning to leave which leaves just us in the restaurant and a few people sitting outside. Then there was no music on no atmosphere but staff shouting chatting laughing from the bar to the kitchen we wouldn't of minded but it would of been nice to have that music on as we felt we were bothering the staff by begin there. Yesterday was a warm day and the door was opened but the amount of flies that surrounded the table was disgusting. food was nice apart from the meatballs being cold. Me and my sister felt like staff were avoiding our table they never asked if our meal was OK or if we would like another drink. We just wanted out we felt like all the staff wanted to do was fix each others aprons and shout and chat to the kitchen staff. When leaving we asked for the bill I told the waiter that the meatballs weren't very nice and they w were cold he said ill take it off your bill I said OK thank you then he said well if you think it's not up to your standards then you don't need to pay for it, i felt awkward so I said it's fine I'll just pay for it. I wouldn't go back i felt terrible for my sister as it was a place she has been wanting to take...

I've been wanting to go here for over a year. I heard it used to be great. I was so disappointed by everything from start to finish.

We reserved a table but when we arrived staff didn't know where to seat us and seemed to forgot we were waiting for our table. Staff were clearly very busy but honestly it wasn't THAT busy and tables were getting left dirty for up to 30-40 mins after customers left. Not good anytime but certainly not during a pandemic .

Service was slow , really slow but staff were running about crazy because clearly not enough people were working. It was uncomfortable as customers though to the point we felt guilty asking for another round of drinks or food or even our bill. I appreciate maybe they were understaffed but that frustration was at times took out on customers. Not just our table. It created an awkward atmosphere. The food was really bland and underwhelming. Again I had heard it was good so wanted to love this place but it just wasn't good at all. And if it wasn't for the eat out scheme I would havebhave been appalled to have spent so much on such a terrible dinner and experience.

I really hope it was just a bad day for the restaurant but unfortunately I won't ever recommend or come back.

I do appreciate covid restrictions and everything else but as a restaurant if you are too busy or understaffed don't accept more reservations or walk ins. I've eaten out lots of places after lockdown restrictions and their service or food quality hasn't suffered...