Bianco - Sunderland — Restaurant in Sunderland

Our table had been booked for almost a month, and there were four adults in our party. We were celebrating a birthday, and we were really excited to try a new restaurant. We arrived on time, it was busy and we were asked to wait at the bar. We chose not to buy drinks as we wanted to get settled at our table and assumed wrongly that we would be seated soon. We were stood at the bar for 15-20 minutes, which is in the centre of the restaurant. We felt very much in the way, and uncomfortable as the staff were needing to squeeze past with food. The restaurant is very cramped with tables and it was not a very comfortable place to wait. I noticed other people were also arriving and needed to wait by the door too. We spotted a rectangular table, set for four people, which we assumed was for us. However this was then pushed together to make a larger group table. The host, possibly the manager, as he was directing other staff, got two chairs from elsewhere and put them on the side of a table that was previously set up for two people, with two wine glasses and place settings. Four adults could not possibly sit comfortably at this table, with enough space to eat. We would also be encroaching on the neighbouring table and blocking them in. As seen in the photo, there isn’t even enough room for the menus. We said that we were not happy to sit there, the ‘ host/manager’ said that ‘we had booked a table, and this was a table’….we said, not for four people it’s not. The ‘host/manager’ then angrily showed us the bookings log with everyone’s names on it for some reason, which was very odd and also in breech of data protection(UK data protection act 2018). We said that his overbooking, was not our problem as the customer. He asked ‘do you want a table?’ I very was shocked how he spoke to us, very angry and irritated. I said that we had wanted a table for four people, which he was not currently providing. We then left the restaurant hungry, but we were very lucky to find another restaurant nearby that actually had fantastic service and a table for four. It is upsetting that for a new restaurant, which we were excited to visit, has such low customer standards, but would have happily taken our money. The atmosphere in the restaurant was just awful and very over crowded. I would also be worried about booking here again, if staff are randomly showing other costumers booking information to other customers. I am still at a loss to why he did that, or what it proved. If our actual table for four was going to be late, the expectation would be that we would be contacted to ask us to come in later. There is a big show on at the theatre and this would be understandable, we would then be able to either have more drinks together in the comfort of the bar that we had came from, or choose to look elsewhere, but there was clearly a lack of organisation, courtesy, communication and customer standards. We did not have the chance to try the food, so cannot comment on this. Dining out is a luxury and after this experience, I definitely would not...

From Start to Finish: 12:03pm, 2 Adults, No reservation. Tried it because it was new. Not going again. Will actively tell others to not waste their money. Do not recommend.

Had to squeeze through 2 badly placed plants at the door. The waiter greeting us mumbled and we had no clue what he was saying - seemed really unimpressed we hadn't booked in advance. Led us to the tables for the walk-in lot. The tables and chairs are nice, good view out of the full size window. Music not too loud. No drinks menu on the table, but quickly rectified when they noticed - the drinks, if you want soft drinks and not wine, was restrictive. We order our drinks, clarifying that bottled coke zero was ok. A waitress comes to our table to again clarify, if bottled, was ok... Our drinks come out, diet coke - not what we ordered. Poured by the waitress (50ml of coke, the rest fizzed to the top of the glass and she walked away.). thanks for the fizz. We order our food. This process was done well. By this point, I notice the lights are like a rave every minute or so. DO NOT GO IF YOU HAVE EPILEPSY. Bad wiring meaning 2 of the big chandelier-style lights flicker (6+ bulbs each). 6 tables full, 6 members of staff hovering round the door/bar area. 1 being annoyingly obnoxious singing to the bad uncopyrighted pop songs they had on. Starters arrive. Wedges with garlic dip - wedges were ok, garlic dip was a tiny bit overwhelming of garlic (and I like garlic...). Mains arrive. Spaghetti Meatballs - an Italian classic and British favourite. Extremely overwhelming amount of salt. Meatballs huge, dry, and still cold in the middle, sauce flavourless (overpowered by the salt maybe) and watery. Plates collected, and I ask for the bill. No bill arrives so there's a back and forward of me asking, 'do we need to pay at the bar' and 'oh no we will bring it to the table'.

TLDR; Do not go if epileptic - bad wiring in the building. 1 mumbling waiter that made the whole experience blind. 7 staff hovering and overcrowding the room - you feel watched. AWFUL food. And I mean awful - extremely over salted, watery,...

First visit here tonight, with my niece and we came on recommendation. Met by the manager - a wonderful, friendly, charming (and very handsome) host, who told us we'd need to wait 30 minutes for a table. Which is fair, so we went away & came back, were seated and a drinks order was taken promptly. We ordered food from a great menu (2 pasta dishes, a cheese garlic bread & some chunky chips). Food arrived quickly (except the chips) and was delicious - carbonara & a seafood pasta. Garlic bread was fantastic too. But still no chips. We had to ask for them. Too full for dessert, but I ordered coffee & my niece affogato. Dessert came with no spoon - and my coffee didn't. We asked for a spoon, which came, but my coffee didn't. I asked for it... it still didn't come. We were then asked if we'd mind having the coffee at the bar - I declined at this point, as there were 6 people already waiting at the bar, and I didn't much fancy crowding in amongst them. So, paid the bill (£40), which was very reasonable, and left. The handsome manager did ask me to stay for my coffee, but I'd lost the urge by then. This is a brand new place and was very busy, but there is work needed for it to run smoothly and efficiently. The staff really need some direction. I really hope they get there! I initially said it really put me off going back, but I probably will. I want to try the pizza! Thanks for a (mostly) nice evening, ...