As expected, Friday night dining out is usually busy at most restaurants. I have heard a lot of good things about Red Chilli on Oxford Road from my friends but the experience of the night was a truly forgettable one! The guy at the desk didn't seem to bothered in greeting the customers at all but we didn't have to wait long for the table and were shown to the table by a waitress who couldn't manage a smile. Maybe they just couldn't be bothered with the place full anyway. Once sat, it was 15 minutes later that someone offered to take our drinks order. Drinks arrived quickly but it was another 10 minutes before our waitress come to take the food order. I understand it was a busy Friday so we didn't make much complaint about it. I ordered Spicy Poached Sea Bass (mild) for my main while my girlfriend ordered the Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef. The food arrived in good time however my sea bass was anything but mild and, I think, not as fresh as I expect. The crispy chilli beef was not at all crispy and, when I decided to question about it, I was told 'that's the way it is' by the waitress. Very disappointing. When we asked for the manager and explained our disappointment in the dish, hoping to change it for another beef dish, he said there was nothing wrong with it and refused to change it. What bad service! I think they need to work on their explanation of items on the menu."
Y.y.chu
Great food. Shame about the service..or lack of it. We waited about 10minutes at the door in a half empty fully staffed restaurant about 2030 on a Sunday evening. Met by a miserable looking waiter that lead us to our table. No drinks or appetizers were offered. 15mins later, we had to frantically try and get the attention of a waiter. The staff seemed oblivious to the fact that we were sat there needing table service.
when our food arrived, the plates got dumped at the end of the table so we had to stretch over to replace it in the middle. the level of service was shocking.
after food, the plates were sat there for what felt like ever..until eventually the waiters pushes round a dirty trolley loaded with left overs and other dining utensils round the whole restaurant collecting every tables' plates at the same time!! Not to mention the stale smell..the waiters were rude and unprofessional.
when we mentioned our concerns to the manager on duty at the time, he gave a very lame apology and explained that they wheel out the trolley when its busy. it was NOT busy.
please note..this is not on one occasion, i have visited several times..each time hoping for an improvement but always disappointed. im a regular customer at the leeds branch and they are very good. my comment is a reflection on the manchester oxford road branch only.