Brasserie Blanc Hale Barns — Restaurant in Trafford

After experiencing unwarranted unacceptable behaviour this evening from a member of the BB team I felt compelled to write this review, if anything to ensure that upper management within the team are aware of this situation and can take action that they deem necessary. I cannot fault the food or service from other staff members, we enjoyed a delicious meal with attentive, friendly and professional service following our initial experience.

We are a large group, three families with several young children coming together for a meal to bid farewell after a trip in the city together. Two of our families were staying in the hotel and had breakfast at BB that morning, again great in terms of food and service. This evening we decided to eat at BB unplanned and arrived to request a table. We were seated in two booths (again fine given the number of us) but booths that were facing away from each other, essentially meaning that we could not socialise together over our food. Given that this was our final evening together we politely asked if we could be moved to any other two tables so that we could enjoy dinner together. We were told that this wasn’t possible but we’re given no explanation as to why. The restaurant was not busy in the slightest, if anything a handful of tables were being occupied. We asked if all of the other tables were booked for the evening and the server said that they were not. Again, we asked if anything could be done so that we could sit together. We were told by the member of staff that he could have turned us away but he didn’t and that this is all that he had. Not wanting to cause a scene in front of other diners and our children and tarnish our final evening we sat at the separate booths feeling unwelcome and puzzled as to the way that we were treated. We requested to speak to management but were advised by the individual that he was the manager. After a discussion amongst ourselves we then decided to move our party to the bar which although is still BB had a slightly limited menu to the menu offered in the restaurant. From here we could not complain, everything was perfect. We explained to the bar manager what had happened and he explained that some tables in the restaurant get used for breakfast so are not released for dinner and that certain areas of the restaurant cannot always be used with the staff numbers for service being low. This explanation answered our query as to why we could not be offered an alternative earlier in the evening. If the colleague that we had dealt with earlier that evening had explained this, I would not be writing this review.

This member of staff needs some significant retraining, he is incompetent. It was unnecessary to approach us with such disrespect and make us feel so unwelcome. His poor attitude, lack of customer service and basic communication skills tarnished our evening and I really do hope that management (above this individual) seriously review these comments. The food and service otherwise was very good but it is a shame that an individual like this has ruined what should have been a fond and memorable experience for...

We experienced lovely food in a pleasant, relaxed restaurant, but the service from our waitress was dire, even though there were only 2 other tables occupied when we arrived! We were seated at 2.40pm and given menus by our waitress. Within 10 minutes, our waitress returned and asked if we would like water for the table and took our drinks order. We received our water quickly, but we waited another 15 minutes for our drinks (before losing patience and seeing other customers receiving their drinks orders) and in the end we went to the nearby bar and asked the friendly and helpful bar tender, who was unaware of the order and brought them to our table. Unfortunately, we spilt one of the drinks soon after they were brought, and again the friendly bar tender was straight over, cleaning our table and telling us it was no problem. Our waitress came over to see what was happening and the bar staff, asked if she could get another drink for me, whilst he was cleaning the floor. Our waitress simply disappeared and never got my drink and the bar tender noticed some time later and apologised, bringing me another drink, shortly after he had cleared up the spillage. At this point we had been waiting over 35 minutes and our waitress (who we observed wandering around looking bored, taking orders from customers who arrived after us and leaning on the reception area, talking to other staff) finally came over and took our food order. The food is cooked fresh, which we accept takes time (and was delicious) but the first food we received was 55 minutes after we were seated, which was very slow, considering the restaurant was practically empty. We also watched other customers (who arrived after us) receive their food before us. We did receive a prompt check back from our waitress, but our main course plates were left a further 15 minutes before clearing (even whilst our waitress was regularly passing our table and replacing place settings, where other customers had departed). When clearing our plates, we were asked if we would like any more drinks (the first time she had checked this) and when we declined, she was about to walk away, and we had to stop her and request to see the dessert menu. We were then left for over 10 more minutes before she came to take our dessert order (whilst we watched her again wandering looking bored and regularly passing our table with no check on us) and there was only one other table occupied in the restaurant at this point. We never received a checkback on our desserts and our waitress switched over at that point (to a much more engaging and personable, attentive staff member). We refused to pay the service charge, as our waitress was definitely not efficient, not engaging or attentive and prioritised setting tables or talking to other staff for long periods in a nearly empty restaurant, over serving waiting customers. We did tip the bartender who was very helpful and twice had to apologise and make up for our waitress’s poor service. What a shame that the service was so terrible, as the food...

Brasserie Blanc Hale: A Disappointing Return Visit This was our second or third time dining at Brasserie Blanc Hale, a restaurant that seems to cater primarily to a captive audience. On this occasion, I ordered the free-range beef burger, and my partner chose the tomato salad. The tomato salad was a definite highlight. It was well-presented and delicious, featuring avocado, lovage pesto, watercress, a lemon vinaigrette, and a garlic baguette. The combination of flavors was enjoyable, and my partner thoroughly savored the dish. Unfortunately, the accompanying baguette was a letdown – it was stale and lacked any hint of garlic flavor. We sent back the two quarter pieces, only for them to be replaced by a single, slightly fresher, plain quarter piece. While edible, it still didn't have the promised garlic taste. My free-range beef burger, however, was a total disappointment, despite the server raising my expectations by stating it would arrive "pink inside." The burger itself was just average. It came with a single piece of lettuce, a thin slice of pickle, and one slice of tomato, all topped with a beef patty that looked far from succulent. There was no sign of the garlic mayonnaise mentioned on the menu. In fact, I had to ask for condiments myself, as the server who delivered our food quickly disappeared. When I informed our server that the burger was decidedly average and that even a Burger King version would have more sauce, she said she would report it to the chef. We received no further feedback, leading me to assume the chef was unconcerned about providing tasty food that matched the menu description. Upon paying, as a Marriott Bonvoy member, I inquired if I could add my Marriott number to the bill to accumulate points, a privilege offered at most Marriott establishments. I was politely informed that the restaurant does not participate in this rewards scheme, so no points would be forthcoming. Marriott and Bonvoy should take note of this. Overall, I would recommend heading to the club room early for the canapés instead. The food there is likely just as good, if not better, while it's available. @Bonvoy...