Banco Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in Scotland

Hastled, hustled, heranged from start to finish by staff. My friend booked a table for 5.30 last night and had phoned the day before to up the booking to 4 people from 3. The restaurant then changed the booking to 5.15 without consultation or verbal confirmation that this new time would suit us, which it did not. So rather than having the table until 7pm they expected us to be off the table early. This was because they had booked a 60th party seated in that area. We had 2 courses, both delicious, with wine and coffee. However it felt like a speed eating contest because the waiting staff were telling us every 15mins (honestly) the time the table was needed back. We hadn't finished our drinks and coffee when it was suggested we go stand at the bar to finish up. Eventually a booth was found for us until 7.30. But again we were told before we sat down the get out time and this was repeated on 3 occasions the time. Initially we had been told a table at the bar would be found for us because we would need to leave our dining table early but no time restrictions mentioned. At exactly 7.30 we were asked to get up from the second table. I appreciate this was later than our original time to leave, but they had said when we first came in that they 'guaranteed a table' in the bar area. So when they moved us to another time restricted place we felt harassed and stressed. I like to give people the opportunity to rectify poor customer service at the time so we asked to speak to the manager. The guy we spoke to said he was the manager but offered no apology or acknowledgement for changing the booking time, and said he would try and sort something. As we were leaving he said he had found us another table! If their communication skills were better (and frankly that would not be hard) they would have been aware we were actually going to the theatre and would have been leaving anyway around that time. They had clearly overbooked and were cramming people in with no gap between dining. There was no way we could have had 3 courses as we didn't have time to complete 2 courses, and we were quick ordering.The night was impacted by the badgering from the waiting staff. There was no apology or effort to give us a better impression of their restaurant. The situation started because of their mistake moving our booking forward with no agreement from us, and there was no recognition that they caused the issue. Credit where it is due the food was lovely but customer service, including trying to resolve issues is very poor. I would avoid here for pre theatre booking unless you are having one course and eat...

My friends and I attended this restaurant a couple of weekends ago. The place is nice, seemed clean enough and is well presented. Firstly, when we entered and were seated, our server didn't ask about any dietary requirements or allergens, which is a question asked when I've been in many other establishments. Our starters were not correct, though my friend chose to have what was sent as he still liked it. I ordered the lasagne. A tradition, a staple. And I've never had one that had very little to no bechamel sauce, and generally was no better than any microwaveable lasagne I've had. It was flavourless and not enjoyable. My other friend had the meatballs and spaghetti. The presentation was basic and the meatballs had the strangest cinnamon like taste that was very strange (I was asked to try a bit to make sure it wasn't just my friend who thought so). We finished up, we went back to our respective homes. And within 2 hours of leaving I was being relentlessly sick, and continued to be so for the next 12 hours. My friend that had the meatballs, she was also unwell that night. (Other friend had a pizza and he was fine) Never in my life have I paid so much to get food poisoning from a meal that I didn't even enjoy. I certainly will never eat here again. Now it could very well have been bad-luck, a one off, bad night... Whatever, but my experience was my own and I can only review...

Banco, what a wonderful experience and thank you for making my father's Birthday an extra special event. From booking and accommodating us, to your cheery goodbyes I can say this was a wonderful restaurant to visit. We arrived and were seated under the delightful cherry tree with lights above us and soft music in the background. We were attended to straight away, with our menu choices explained and our drinks order taken. At a nearby table a party of 12 were also seated and were being attended to, and I mention this because the service we received was not impacted by the large order they made while we were looked after and given a most delicious meal. The Birthday boy had the Fish Stew and was over the moon with it, filled with a tasty combination of seafood and was completely satisfied. My fish was done to perfection and tasted wonderful. The evening went so well we soon found ourselves 2 hours later satisfied and content. Our waiter and waitresses were very accommodating and made us feel like we were regulars. Friendly and relaxed. Banco, I will be back, I will be recommending you and thank you for the wonderful attention to detail and service. In closing, toilets are a marker of a restaurants attention to detail and there was no exception here. A well run, fantastically presented and tasty gastronomic...