Prospect Italian Bistro — Restaurant in Sunderland

Visited here last night with the family for my birthday. Usually drive to the Italian Kitchen for these occasions but decided to stay close to home and have a drink with my meal for a change. First time eating in the prospect in a long time. When we arrived we were shown to our table and didn't wait long for drink orders to be taken. Once drinks arrived we were soon attended again and placed our food order. Our starter arrived quite quickly. While eating our starter staff sang happy birthday to another table and other tables next to us were promptly served starters. As we waited after finishing our starter tables that arrived after us were cleared of starter plates and served main courses. At this point we did notice an ambulance arrive and medics come through the restaurant. Tables around us still being served food, people paying bill's steff sang happy birthday to another table and tables cleared. However we had been sitting quite some time with empty plates awaiting our main course. I would estimate about 30 mins passed as we waited to have the table cleared and main meal to arrive. All this time tables are still being served around us including the one right next to us who orderd as we finished our starter were now on their main. I went to the bar to enquire and was told of a medical emergency that had caused delays in service. I said all tables around us were being served and it appears we had been forgotten. Minutes later our table was eventually cleared and we were offered a drink to compesate for the wait. Our main course soon arrived and was really nice. I understand there was some issue requiring an ambulance happing but to be the only table to be affected and left waiting 30+ mins with empty plates seeing others served both courses in this time is unacceptable. Not sure if we will bother eating here in future as we have had no issues at other similar restaurants...

The menu looked nice, but we left before ordering, because we were so uncomfortable at the way the manager spoke to his staff in front of us. I see we're not the first customers to complain about this.

My husband and I went there on a date, ready to spend money. The friendly staff gave us menus and directed us to a table. Then we sat for 20 minutes trying to catch someone's eye. Weirdly, the waiters were rushing around frantically, avoiding everyone's eye except the manager's, even though only half the tables were full.

Eventually I asked the bar girl if we could have some water while we waited. She kindly took our drinks order at the table, and placed our drinks on the bar. The waiters were still busy, so I went to grab them. The manager swooped down on me. He told me to go and sit down, that I was not allowed to take them myself, and that HE would take them to us.

The bar girl brought them to us. I asked her if she could take our food order. She explained with a smile that this wasn't her role, but she certainly would. (The bar had no customers waiting.) As she started writing it down, the manager swooped down on her, demanded to know what she was doing, and told her, "no! I told you only the drinks. Go back to the bar."

He followed her to the bar and continued to berate her, right in front of all the customers, for daring to take initiative in assisting the clearly overstressed wait staff.

So we walked out.

Like the other reviewers, we sincerely hope the bar girl finds respectful employment where her professionalism, teamwork and efficiency are...

Where to start about this shambles of a pub? The only saving grace about this place was that it was warm inside.

Table not ready, even though it was booked over a week prior. When the waitress came to take the order, after finally being seated, it was as though the life and soul had been sucked from her, was this girl an escapee from Azkaban? Had a dementor taken hold of her before her shift? Or were the pub owners paying her so poorly?

Order given, asked for a garlic cheese bread to be served with the mains. It was not. They were so desperate to get the food out it seemed, although not quite hasty enough to clear the table afterwards.

Mains arrived after around 30-40 minutes, although it felt like an eternity in that soulless, dimly lit pub. Steaks were not cooked as requested, one rare, one well done. Both came out medium. Even though it was “steak night”. Clearly the chef has a good opinion of himself, but does not know how to cook a steak. One steak knife given between two, and told to fight between the two of us. How ridiculous, am I to pin my partner down so I might get a morsel of my chewy fat?

Sauces missed and a portion of fries, both had to be asked for. Did these servers have dementia? Desserts finally came almost 2 hours after initially entering the restaurant, chocolate cake. Requested nothing with it, came with ice cream. Fingers crossed we’re not allergic. Worst service I’ve experienced in a long time, which is a shame for such a well reviewed place. Maybe if they had adequate staff, I might consider returning. Alas, I...