Avanti — Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

I went here for a meal with my family this weekend as this used to be a place I really loved.

The first disaster was the fact that I called to book a table a week in advance. I then called the night before to double check and had it confirmed twice that we had a booking. However, having turned up on time, we were pretty much told bookings were irrelevant as they had overbooked and we would have to wait outside for about 25 minutes. For 45 minutes we sat waiting outside watching them turn away countless groups of people who had bookings. It was disgusting to say the least. But I was even more furious when a group who just turned up was sat straight away before us. When I challenged the waitress she said they had turned up late for their booking and it was a birthday party. When I explained that we had made the effort to turn up on time only to still have to wait 40 minutes and that this was a special occasion for us as well, she just said "sorry I have nothing to say". We should have got back on the Metro and left, but they kept saying a table would be soon and that our drinks were free.

This used to be the best Italian food I'd ever had in Newcastle. The potted crab starter used to be incredible. However, this is place is now under new ownership and although they've kept potted crab on the menu, it is not the same at all. It was presented looking like dry tinned crab mashed in a small mixing bowl and was pretty much flavourless. It was like cat food. My scallop ravioli was nice, but sadly (by then) my evening was already ruined.

I was then furious because when we asked for the bill the "free" apology drinks were sitting right their on the bill. I am very disappointed, these new owners have ruined everything about this place and I will be telling everyone to avoid...

A pleasant sunny outdoor dining place was exactly what we wanted yesterday however the food was terrible and the owner was very rude when we complained. We had decided to "treat" ourselves from the a la carte menu and not opt for the cheap £5.95 pizza/pasta deal. Having been to this resaurant before the cheap deal is ok value for quantity rather quality, so as we were celebrating we ordered starers of humus and flat bread, seafood pasta, mussels and a bottle of rose wine. Sounded perfect! I asked (politely) if the seafood was fresh or frozen as the pasta dish was tasteless, squid/octopus was rubbery and with exception of 4 prawns a distinct lack of recognisable seafood. The owner confirmed the seafood was frozen and at that point apologised, when I said charging £12.90 seemed excessive for a poor dish. My companion then ordered ice cream and we finished our wine happily waiting for the bill. The bill did not discount the seafood pasta dish (despite returning it) and to add insult charged £4.50 for ice cream rather than the treat yourself offer shown on the menu at £2. We queried the bill, (note the humus and flatbread was prepared humus and one toasted pitta pocket!) and requested the seafood pasta dish be reduced. I even offered to pay the £5.95 cheap rate rather than full £12.90 as a compromise...the owner (Julie) then became aggressive defensive flung the deducted bill at me and as I paid told me never to go back. £60 bill, poor food and then being publicly shouted at and barred! I think she did me a favour!! Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen would make good viewing here. Basically, poor overpriced food, and...

Tempted by the pavement tables / chequered tablecloths and friendly staff but unfortunately we found the food and drinks to be truly terrible. Newcastle is full of cheap pizza / pasta places serving "classic" British Italian dishes so the major discriminators are price and quality. This place isn't the cheapest but prices generally ok, quality is very poor however - lots of frozen food used, e.g. a "fillet steak" rendered completely grey (despite medium rare request) and tasteless by whatever factory processing / freeze / thaw / microwaving processes went on, and poor quality basic ingredients like cheap processed ham (!), cheap mozzarella, awful tomatoes etc is pretty unforgivable even in a cheap Italian restaurant. Very average but not cheap wines and disastrous attempts at basic cocktails. Won't be going again. Other cheaper equivalent restaurants in...