Leonardo's — Restaurant in Scotland

We booked a table for four for Mother's Day, having been impressed by the selection of food on the three course set menu priced at £18.50. We arrived at 7.45 ( the table was booked for 7.30) but had to wait as our table was not set despite the place being half empty. The waiter welcomed us warmly and then attempted to squeeze us in between the only other two tables occupied in that part of the restaurant, jam sandwich style. Seeing a vast array of empty tables we asked to move and this was agreed. Napkins etc followed. We ordered the starters and mains. One of the party ordered the veal - a particular treat - but was told there was none left. No matter - these things happen - so chose an alternative. The food was quite nice but not exceptional. Dessert beckoned. I had been quietly anticipating this course and making the tough call between the tiramisu and the sticky toffee pudding, the crime brûlée nestling in the wings as a possible outsider's favourite. I needn't have worried: they had none left. Of any of them. Expressions of disappointment round the table were met with mild disdain. Did we not know it was Mother's Day? That they were busy and likely to sell out of all the sweets on the menu? Not prone to self reproach, I explained that I hadn't taken this into account when booking, mostly on account that other decent restaurants don't tend to run out of everything all at once. I mean, it had happened to me once before, in Cuba during the height of the Castro regime, in the midst of the US trade embargo - I got that. But this was Hamilton, in Scotland, in Europe, home of five major supermarkets. Anyhow, mildly perturbed, I asked for some renumeration; you would have thought I had just shot the manager in the chest; money off is clearly something that doesn't articulate well in Leonardo"s. The simple concept of trade - paying for something and actually receiving it - was not well understood. In the end, the manager concede to £8.00 off, £2.00 per head. The bill was £117.00. Clearly, he hadn't worked out that good customer service would have been worth a hundred £8.00's because people go back to places where they're treated well and they make allowances when things go wrong. Being made to feel like it was my fault the restaurant ran out of food means that I will choose one of the several other mediocre restaurants in Hamilton in future where I know that my custom is valued and that my...

I have to say, aesthetically the restaurant was faultless. It was nice, clean, the staff polite. The issue was simply the food and the value vs quality.

So starting with the starters, my partner had a great starter, hers was the melon and prosciutto ham. That was fine, it was nice and the salty ham vs sweet melon was great.

My starter was terrible, I ordered the battered scallops. The scallops were virtually flavourless and whilst scallops are mild, this was just dull. As for the batter, it was very bready. I’ve no idea how else to describe it, but it was heavy, flavourless, and the dish was simply awful.

As for our mains, the sea food linguine was in my opinion overly spicy. My partner enjoyed the spice but found the overall dish bland.

The sea food was comparatively better than the starter, but only marginally. The scallops was much better than the starters but that’s again only comparatively, and there wasn’t a perception of good value for money with it.

It was also disappointing that the langoustine came with in tact claws and no claw crackers to open them.

As for the veal, it was like old leather in gravy. The veal I’m used to is tender, soft and flavourful. This was not like that. The meat was tough like week old leather soaked in a gravy.

We did find that the young server forgot about us a couple of times but he was sweet enough and tried. But overall the food and drinks came to nearly £90. We didn’t feel it was worth the price tag.

Pretty restaurant that’s tucked out the way, and clearly a lot of thought put into the place. Just wish as much effort went...

Was eating in this restaurant recently and could not believe how unprofessional the staff were. I overheard one member of staff who was tall and was wearing glasses, basically rush a couple out of the restaurant due to the fact the table was apparently needed. Time went on after the couple had left and the table was still vacant. I had been told by a few people as well as reviews on here that the staff could be rude/useless. Not to say all of the staff were horrible as the member of staff who served me personally was friendly and professional, but seemed like stuff was going on behind the scenes as they seemed very over the shift. The food was underwhelming as well which was disappointing as I’m a big fan of pasta. I hope management get involved soon and sort out the staffing issues that very clearly need to be addressed. Seeing customers being basically harassed and pressured to leave was very off putting and ruined the vibe of the evening for me. To the one member of staff who was pleasant and made sure I was well looked after, I hope you get freed from what feels like a dictatorship lead establishment. Very, very...