Gio Ristorante — Restaurant in Manchester

After 1 year apart a meal was planned as a family get together. Gio’s is the place which we choose on each yearly reunion. This time we experienced drastic changes, glum staff/pushing half price cocktails which we hadn’t ordered. A sour faced manager who patrolled the restaurant, which on a Friday evening only had 3 tables of diners. We were asked numerous times how long the rest of our party would be as they were running late. We were being pushed to order before they had arrived, we were told to send them a screen shot of the menu so they could order before arriving… Then it was announced that we had better be quick as the kitchen would completely close at 10!! (Friday night!!) On the last 2 members of our dining party arriving our camaraderie was decimated, we skipped the first course, ordered the main course and started eating. It was observed that the ‘manager’ was still on patrol looking at his watch every five minutes. As the main meal was finished our plates were removed by the staff and all the cutlery, napkins and extra plates were also removed, so avoiding any possibility of ordering a desert. We had only had an hour all together as a party. The manager sat at the till pressuring me with piercing glances to get up and pay, which I did. All of us then heard a comment made behind our backs, about how much we had spent! We gathered outside in the cold to wait for taxis etc, Previously this restaurant was a happy experience with friendly staff who looked content with their work and colleagues. Laughter abounded. Not this time. The question was ‘had it changed hands?’ The receipt totalled £177.93 with added ‘service charge’ of £16.18. WHAT SERVICE? Please avoid this place, there are so many wonderful eateries in Manchester. The rest of our 5 day stay in Manchester had no incidences and we discovered amazing service and food....

This was our third visit to Gio’s and it certainly wasn’t the same as our last two visits. We ordered a plain garlic bread, a tomato garlic bread & a bruschetta for our starters. The tomato garlic bread and bruschetta were fine but the plain garlic bread had no taste whatsoever and had a huge bubble in it where the bread had risen a lot which was really hard and burnt so we asked for it to be taken off the bill.

We then ordered two chicken cacciatore with fries and veg, a pizza mafiosa and a pollo picante for our mains. The chicken cacciatore came in a watery sauce and the fries and veg came under the chicken so the fries were soggy and the portion of fries was tiny also. The pizza was fine but I had to send my pollo piccante back as it was totally bland and had no spice in it whatsoever! The chef remade it and the second time it was how it should have been the first time. It was £6.25 for a 330ml bottle of beer and £3.50 for a Diet Coke which was thought was overly expensive. All in all, it cost us £158 which included a 10% tip which supposedly goes to the staff (not sure how that works when paying on card?)

Unfortunately it wasn’t worth paying that amount and we won’t be returning again as it seems like Gio’s are now more concerned about making a profit than serving good quality food to...

I booked a table for two for Valentines day for my wife and I to have an evening meal we arrived and was shown to are seats straight away It was busy which is great see restaurants getting back to normal. the staff let you settle in before taking are drinks order the atmosphere was great and with the music playing 70 & 80 with some songs I've not heard in a long time. we order are drinks and are starter .The Valentine's Menu was a set Menu 2 Course was price at £ 24.95 & the 3 Course was £38.95 all the meals was spaced out allowing you to injoy your meals even though it was very busy . At the end of the evening we asked for the bill . when it comes before paying you are asked if you had a lovely evening and would you like to tip the staff along with your payment. You are under no obligation to do this . But must say on are visit the staff were great and very professional and done a great job of getting the meals out on time . Well done everyone of you and for giving my wife and I a most enjoyable evening. Would recommend this restaurant for special occasions or...