Etna — Restaurant in Lancaster

Please read all for the truth of our experience. (Or the overall paragraph for a quick review:) ).

We had high hopes for Etna before coming due to these reviews but our experience was far from amazing. The owner wasn’t really the nicest to us. We initially noticed the sly remarks and actions when he said the red wine we wanted would be too expensive for us! We laughed it off initially thinking he meant no harm but throughout our visit, his sly eye and manor towards us just wasn’t comforting or inviting. We were served the wine in the small sherry glasses which were on the table already (presumably for water). We didn’t think anything of it, until we looked around to notice every other table we’re given large (normal) wine glasses. This made us feel quite secluded and unwelcomed.

We ordered stuffed mushrooms and cheese garlic bread to start. Unfortunately, the mushrooms were dry and stuck to the hot plate and the garlic bread didn’t have much cheese on it. However, as we were a hungry family and came for an occasion, we ate it anyways. We asked for some balsamic oils but they had non, instead they gave us garlic oil which was lovely. Our mains weren’t anything special. Bland and basic. We tried using the salt and garlic oil for some more taste in our pastas, pizza and chicken dish and the waiter offered us chilli oil too which helped. We didn’t complain, we ate our food and we tried to enjoy our occasion. We had a lovely tiramisu to end the night on a high but then the bill came.

We were charged two miscellaneous transactions of £3 each. We raised this with the manger to get a confirmation of what it was and he proceeded to tell us it was the garlic oil and chilli oil!!!! If we knew we were getting charged £3 each we would have taken the bottles home with us!!! For a dash of oil to be taken from the bottle I’m sure the fee of £6 was unnecessary and absurd. If the food and service was nice and we had felt welcomed as everyone else had, we wouldn’t have minded the extra payment. But we just thought it was cheeky! We ended up paying the full bill and tipped the extra change in the end as we really didn’t want to kick up a fuss and be picky. To top it off, every table was offered limoncello once the bill came and we weren’t.

Overall, we felt as though they just wanted us to leave as soon as we arrived, they gave us bland, old food, and we really noticed the divide they were portraying. If that is to do with our race or not, we felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. We are an all adult family who really value our food, especially authenticity. However, this restaurant is a no from us. Service, food, environment & manager - 0/10. Really...

Went here on recommendation from a friend. This was a 1st date and I'm glad we had pre booked a table as the place was packed! (Always a good sign) the food was delicious, staff were attentive, efficient and very pleasant, so no faults regarding this at all. My only slight criticism is that the building is extremely small and doesn't feel very intimate. Tables are so close to each other, you can hear others conversations (not deliberatley) and the other way round i guess... would be nice to have a little more space and not feel so close to fellow diners. There is seating upstairs but this was closed off which is such a shame, not only because it felt so cramped but actually in my opinion the turn around would be faster. Overall, i would definitely return as the food was lovely. Thank you for a lovely evening, great staff and...

Etna restaurant has been there for 43 years and the menu hasn’t changed since then - and this is exactly what you want because those Sicilian recipes are still standing strong today and would surprise anyone who loves Italian food. I loved every single dish. Everyone had Tiramisu but in Etna it’s magic. It’s as fresh and as delicious as if it was made by your gran (if your gran is Sicilian;)...).

It’s not just food that makes this place great. It’s owned by Dominic, a very nice man from Sicily, who made us feel very welcome. He spoke to my boyfriend in French and even dropped a few words in Russian to me:). We would definitely...