Zingara — Restaurant in London

I am not really sure where to start, went here on a recommendation to try. Booked for my friends birthday! Waiter was lovely and cannot fault him. Cocktails were really bad, considering they advertise as a cocktail bar I expected to have a cocktail made, but it was ice in a glass with a cocktail mix (funking I believe) charging £8.50! Sent the first cocktail back and was told the manager also agreed with me and I could get a different one, ordered a different drink and it was still very bad. Ordered 5 appetisers - (bruschetta, meatballs, lamb, potatoes and halloumi). Basic food to pick at and I’m sorry but the bruschetta bread was wet, not crisp! The halloumi was dusted with flour before being cooked to death (I wanted grilled halloumi) and the potato’s were so salty and caked in a bbq sauce - not good for someone with kidney disease! Regardless the lamb was nice and the meatballs were ok. At the end of the meal asked to speak to the manager or owner - the manager approached and told us that the brunch they served that very afternoon was fine and was the same food and never had any complaints. I was told it’s my fault that I did not enjoy the food, that it’s mine and my friends pallet that was wrong! I actually had to tell the manager that she had an attitude which was not needed ... I had to elaborate to the manager that I was not after a free meal, or anything to be taken off my bill but that as someone who works in the same industry I just wanted to provide my feedback to better the establishment- to which she laughed and walked off. I don’t know what else to say about this manager but she should not be a manager and she lacks certain key skills.

I paid everything on the bill- but I will not be back. The Irish lady, I believe she might be a general manager who I spoke to afterwards (sorry really cannot remember your name) - she should be the manager, she was kind and understanding, and took the time to speak to me afterwards.

The waiter (like I said at the beginning) was lovely and he understood the issue - he said he would bring this to the attention of the owner (which I really hope he does)

Happy to speak to the owner, from one restaurant owner to...

I visited Zingara tonight after some unsolicited emails, with a BOGOF offer. Since there were three of us, we ordered a meal each, plus a spare (since it was free). After waiting over 30 minutes for someone to eventually come over for our first drinks order, we eventually tucked into our food. During this time, a group of five girls had loudly announced their departure because they'd been waiting at the bar for 20 minutes and decided to go elsewhere (a Wednesday night; hardly peak). We then waited over 30 minutes for our bill, which came with only one meal free. After another ten minute wait, the manager eventually came over. When I pointed out the oversight of the meal and the appalling service (as well as the fact the aforementioned ladies had left due to waiting too long at the bar), he acted in the most aggressive manner I have ever seen. He advised that only one meal was free per voucher (not stated in the terms), so we offered another. He declined. I then advised he was in breach of the CAP code. He told us we were no longer welcome there ever again (for appalling service and requesting what we were entitled to). So here's my review. If you have three hours going spare for a one course meal, mixed in with a pinch of attitude and sitting like a school kid with your hand up for 20 minutes waiting for service on an empty night, tuck in. If you'd prefer a decent service, without being barred for life (may I add we were 30, 31 and 41 years old; not kids) for complaining about service and mediocre food, try one of the other 'independent' restaurants in the area; Bank or 42nd Street (now called Blend, I think). If I could rate it a...

I have been to Zingara for dinner and drinks several times I have lost count(atleast once a month some months more)!! Last night my friends and I wanted to go grab drinks this is the first time I have been on a Saturday late just for drinks no food! When we turned up there the bouncer said one of my friends couldn’t come in because she had white trainers on! I was confused because like I said I have been to Zingara several times and I have never been questioned about white trainers. (We even have pictures of us wearing white trainers in Zingara) anyway I though as I have been here a few times let me ask the manager as I have never heard this before. She was so rude to me from the beginning which caught me off guard the first thing she said to me as soon as I explained the situation was “well if you have been here before then you know about the dress code, I replied no i did not as I have never been here for just drinks I normally come for drink and food” anyway my thing is policy is policy that is fine there are other bars on the same road which we went to anyway! But for a manager to lack basic customer service skills to have a polite conversation. She was speaking to me as if I had done something wrong! As a manager all she needed to do was just explain if they did infact have a dress code policy, what it is and when it’s implemented (as I said we have previously been in white trainers) because like I said there are other bars on the same road so we have other options. My friends and I will not be returning to Zingara from this...