The Italian Job — Restaurant in Trafford

We visited one of favourite local restaurants a little after lockdown restrictions had eased. After booking a table and organising the all important baby sitter we were really looking forward to a great night out with good food and service that we usually experience when visiting The Italian Job. On this occasion, we were sadly disappointed. From entering the restaurant it was evident that the scene was typical of a pre lockdown dining experience. Customers were stood at the bar, waiting, tables were packed and I couldn't see any evidence in the reduction of tables or social distancing. We waited in the hallway, my disabled parter sat on the stair well for 20 minutes. In the interim the staff invited a party of 6 who had a later booking into be seated. We questioned this with the management, who asked the larger party to remain in the queue but they still got seated before us. When we did finally get our starters - over an hour had passed. Considering we ordered cold starters, I am surprised by the waiting time. The bruschetta was uncharacteristically dry, absent of salad and void of any sign of olive oil. The main - Penne Italian Job - was watery and tasted unusually bland. We ordered a garlic bread which was equally disappointing - it resembled some sort of hardened pancake, and had been cut and stacked up haphazardly on a side plate. It was so hard the garlic oil drizzled off it. My husband did voice our disappointment and the management did remove the cost of one main off our bill but for the time being, we will be dining elsewhere. Had it not been for previous positive experiences, we would have scored this review lower...

It is always a lovely experience to eat here. Being a Sunday afternoon it was fairly quiet - but it can get busy & is very popular for family gatherings. We hadn't been able to visit for a while but on our recent visit (4/5/25) the food was as excellent as it's always been. They serve the best garlic bread here - crisp & soft at the same time. The prawn cocktail starter was very good & nicely presented. My all-time favourite pasta, salmon tagliatelle was as good as ever and generously loaded with hot smoked salmon, mushrooms and it's signature cream and tomato sauce. My husband enjoyed his lasagne which he pronounced to be excellent. A perfect finisher was a Bailey's creme brulee expertly made and not too sweet but with a crisp, brown (not burnt) sugar topping. Good service throughout. We were very pleased to find everything as good as it's ever been. Thankyou to Sue & staff. We will be...

we booked our table a week in advance for a table for 4 at 8pm we arrived at 7.45 and found there was a queue waiting for a table I asked a member of staff if our table was ready just to be told " it's nothing to do with me I work upstairs" the people in the queue next to us told us they had a table booked for 7.30 pm and were still waiting when I asked a member of staff how long it would be I was told she didn't know there were just no tables free. no apology no nothing they quite obviously did not care. all of us including the others said we would be leaving nine in all w.hat a lot of money to loose but clearly it didn't matter I have lived in Urmston for 30years and never been treated like this a member of the other party said she had been coming for over 40 years but would not be coming again all family friends and other urmstonians avoid at all costs worse experience ever....