San Carlo Manchester

Appalling. Avoid....unless you are 1) known to staff, 2) a footballer, 3) appear to have money, 4) want to be treated like something that would be put out with the bins. We arrived just before our booking time. On the door the staff were abrupt until we said we had a booking. The reception staff - seemingly it takes three people to stare at screen, gossip, ignore, decide whether you are considered acceptable to dine here. We moved to the bar which was buzzing with activity, with a pleasant atmosphere (thankfully) not over-run or packed, staff were a little bit slow on the uptake once galvanised into action three staff made our drinks. When other staff become available they checked if we were being served. The maitre d', or Mãnuel without a personality or capability, scampered between tasks, but achieved little. He routinely returned to the bar to ask how many were in your group, ignored this & then promptly walk away to be seen emptying tables, removing glasses elsewhere. Guests who had arrived after us were seated before us. Initially we didn't notice this, why would we it's not our responsibility? As time continued to pass, & we still weren't seated we approached reception. The sneering response was simply it was not their responsibility, without any alternative being offered. Eventually we were taken to our table. We were shoe-horned amongst other tables, almost joining other diners, at least they had food. Menus were given out, no offer to take a drink order was made. We waited for another torturous period before another member of staff came to take our food order. In the meantime due to the position of our table one of our party was constantly bumped into by staff & guests - akin to a pinball machine - such a thrill! We asked three members of staff (shortly after being seated, once when staff walked past, when we placed our order) to be relocated. We received a feeble response stating they only had two tables for two people each. Great that's what we want, a table for four! Of course we weren't offered an alternative position because they had overbooked. When we asked the waiter how long the food would take we were met with laughter. They couldn't say & weren't prepared to seek out clarification. At this point we decided to leave, a throw away 'Sorry' was offered. If they were sorry they would have attempted to resolve the issues, of which there were many. Thankfully we were able to take our business elsewhere, to a restaurant with suitably deployed staff, a good table, excellent food & great atmosphere