Giggling Squid - Leamington Spa — Restaurant in Warwick

BE AWARE! Do you know the feeling when someone really doesn't want you there? I felt like the supervisor couldn't wait to kick us out, so hostile! I thought I had a lovely evening until it got ruined. There was a lady with ponytail, dark hair and glasses at the entrance - not very welcoming - that led me and my friends to our table. Initially we tried to get over it and we were lucky that the waiters were really nice. The food was great, we ordered starters and mains and they were served very fast - we just put our coats down and the food came. There were plenty of empty tables around us, however, as soon as the waiter took the plates away, and we still had our drinks, the lady with dark hair ponitail and glasses came rushing to us and made us feel like she couldn't wait to kick us out. She was very hostile towards us. She made us feel so bad that it just ruined how nice the waiter was and how tasty the food was. As soon as I finished the food I felt bad and unwelcomed. We didn't even finish our drinks and we left.

For the prices and for the look of the restaurant, you would expect to have a nice experience, it's not just about the food but also about how you feel. If you want to have a rushed eating contest, you are better off going to McDonald's. You are better off maybe getting takeaway from that place, because the food is great.

Personally, I don't want to return to that place, I don't want to feel so bitter again. It is a shame because although an entire team of people is trying to do a good job, there is one person that can make you feel disappointed. The only worse thing would have been if it was my birthday - that would have been depressing.

Dear Giggling Squid, please make sure that all your employees are happy. I don't know if you need to treat that lady better, but I do know that I had a good time with the happier employees.

I am giving two stars because I don't want to go back there again, because I remember it as a hostile experience. I might order the food in the future and have it takeaway, without feeling unwanted.

Also, dear marketing team, don't reply with that same copy-paste message where you ask me to email separately to whatever address - it feels like you don't even read the reviews, nor...

This was our first visit to Giggling Squid, recommended by a friend, and we chose it to celebrate our wedding anniversary. While we were excited to try somewhere new, the experience turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag.

The food was absolutely superb, full of flavour, generous portions, and beautifully presented. Everything we tried tasted fresh and delicious, just as our friends had described. The restaurant itself has a lovely atmosphere, and it certainly had potential to be a memorable evening.

Unfortunately, the service really let the experience down.

We waited about five minutes at the entrance before anyone acknowledged us or showed us to our table. Once seated, we were left for another 10–15 minutes without even being offered a drink or the prawn crackers our friends had raved about. I eventually had to get up and find a member of staff to order drinks and food at the same time, since we’d already decided by then.

Our drinks didn’t arrive until I chased them up again. Only after that did a waitress (and possibly the manager) check in on us, three times, though we hadn’t raised any complaints at that point. The prawn crackers arrived with the drinks, and our shared starter was served just as we finished those. The main course followed shortly after, and again, the food was excellent.

However, we were never offered a second drink, dessert, or coffee. When we were ready to pay, I had to find someone once more to ask for the bill, and then wait another 10 minutes before anyone came to take payment.

Overall, while the food and setting were impressive, the service fell far short of what we expected, especially on a special occasion. It’s a real shame, as we genuinely enjoyed the food but sadly, the poor service left us feeling...

I have dined here several times and never had any complaints about the food or service, but I recently witnessed an event which means I will not be returning.

Another table had a minor issue with their order and the response from the manager has left me feeling outraged. I believe his name is Peter but it could also be Petrov.

Stood no more than 2 feet from their table, he barked an order at a young Chinese girl who was dealing with an order from a relatively large group. It was clear she did not hear and continued to take the order.

She walked into the kitchen and he stormed after her - with the original issue still not dealt with. I don't know what was said but she returned not long after and looked visibly shaken. She collected the problem/wrong order from the table who had raised the issue to the manager and returned to the kitchen, picking up her pace. It was clear to me that she was about to cry and did not want other diners to see.

We continued with our meal and I couldn't help but notice the manager scowl at the poor girl several times. We were the last to leave that night and, upon getting into my husband's car, I realised I had left a small bag in the restaurant and nipped back in to collect before they locked up.

As soon as I set foot inside the building I realised why the girl was so shaken earlier in the evening. The manager was shouting at her at the top of his voice. Whatever she did - which from where I as sitting was absolutely nothing - you do not talk to anyone like that. Especially not if you are a big man talking to a tiny woman, who works at the same company.

I hope the poor girl is ok - you should not have to work with...