Medina — Restaurant in Wales

Last night I went with my partner (for a birthday) and two friends for a meal at Medina, and I was a little disappointed.

There were plenty of positives, with the staff being lovely and warm, reinforcing their beautiful restaurant. We really enjoyed the atmosphere of the place, and I have always loved the fresh produce walk-in display.

My first issue was with the table however, as we were wedged between the children's play area. If it wasn't for the party, I would have been more vocal. But it wasn't exactly a fine dining experience when one of our party was knocked a few times by a little girl (kids are a little clumbsy, no problem there). It sounds funny I know, and it's great that kids can have some fun whilst waiting for their boring parents to finish 😉 but please don't sit people between a children's area.

On to the food. I can only really (and fairly) speak for myself on what I had, which was a whitebait starter and fish stew main. For me, the whitebait wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was ok.

My main problem was with my main, which had a serious level of coriander involved in the dish. There was lots of lovely fish in the stew (squid rings, mussels, clams, etc..), but I couldn't taste them. My partner agreed. The stew also came with a few tiny pieces of bread. I felt like they could have accompanied this dish with some of the amazing rye bread they stock. This stew was priced at £15, which to me felt like a little too much for what the dish was. There are other expensive fish restaurants along the seafront for example, where I felt the price was fair.

Overall, we enjoyed our night, and to be fair, the other members of my party enjoyed their dishes (kebab and chicken). But I was a little disappointed with my meal. I would not want to put anyone off from going here, as I think it's a really nice place. But I personally would try a...

Great food and been there many times. As a party of 7, with 3 children under 6 years, thought best to book a table. Told on the phone that they don't take bookings. Arrived early and found a large table, and just as the other 6 were arriving I was told the table was booked! If I'd known I would have found another cafe. As it was we waited ages for a table with small children milling around, complete with dirty looks from staff. Disappointing. Some suggestions on how you could have dealt with the situation better: Let us stay on the table until another table was ready, as the party for the reserved table did not turn up for over half an hour. Apologise that the table was not clearly marked as reserved. There was a bottle that I noticed much later, where 'reserved' was written on only one side, which faced the kitchen. The waiter should have mentioned the reservation rather giving me menus and taking a coffee order while I waited. The waiters (yes several, I must have looked like trouble) who turfed me off the table just as my family were arriving could have explained why the table was reserved when i had been unable to reserve a table because, as you said on the phone, you 'don't take reservations'. You replied that it was reserved for a 'private party' and when I asked how that differed from a table booking, you kept repeating the words 'private party'. I was none the wiser. An apology would have gone a long way rather than treating me as a difficult customer. You made me feel totally unwelcome at your restaurant. Well done! Your service, or rather the lack of it, has lost a formerly loyal customer. Quite frankly I'd rather eat at MacDonalds, at least they're polite to...

What a dreadful experience today. We had been here previously and wanted to return. We arrived and ordered a STRONG tea, latte and 2 cakes. We waited and waited for 20 minutes... Eventually the order was served. Unfortunately some of the cakes were uncovered and I watched a very large bluebottle settle on the cake that I was about to be served!!! I told the waitress I wanted a fresh piece from the covered area...As she took the remaining cakes away another large bluebottle flew off! I pointed it out to which she replied...along the lines of its that time of year...not that all the cakes should be covered because there are too many flies settling on the food! She cut my second cake but then left it to more flies whilst she disappeared! After 5 minutes she served it and I again declined it as again a fly had settled on it! I can't eat fly tainted food! She served another... My STRONG tea was like maidens water so she had ignored that request too. On leaving when we paid she asked if everything had been alright!!!!

Bit of feedback... Customers prefer a waitress with a bit of a better attitude and ability. A waitress that listens to customer orders and communicates them to kitchen staff.

Customers don't normally like to see the food they are being served with blue flies sitting on it. Doesnt really enhance the appetite.

20 minutes was too long to wait for a cuppa when the place was pretty quiet and several waiting staff were standing around chatting.

On balance.. Awful experience. Go there if you don't kind flies on your food.. At a premium price too....

Not even...